Mastering Wind Noise Reduction Techniques for Clearer Phone Conversations

Have you ever had a phone conversation outside on a windy day and found that the wind noise made it difficult for you to hear or be heard by the person on the other end of the line? Wind noise can make phone conversations frustrating and unintelligible, and it's caused by the same physical principles that affect audio recordings on a phone's microphone. When the wind blows over the phone's microphone, it creates vibrations in the microphone's diaphragm that results in a loud noise and the disturbance.

This Story also Contains

1. What Is The Physics Of Wind Noise?
2. Types Of Wind Noise
3. Human Voice Frequency Vs Wind Noise Frequency
4. Strategies For Reducing Wind Noise

In this article, we'll explore the science behind wind noise when talking on a phone and discuss strategies for reducing wind noise during phone conversations. Whether you're making a business call or catching up with a friend, understanding the causes of wind noise and how to minimise its effects can help you have more productive and enjoyable phone conversations, even on windy days.

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What Is The Physics Of Wind Noise?

Wind noise is created by the physical interaction between wind and a microphone, which produces a loud noise. The physics principles involved in wind noise are as follows:

Movement of air molecules: The movement of air molecules in the atmosphere produces wind. When the wind blows over a phone's microphone, air molecules collide with the microphone's enclosure, generating turbulence.

Vibration of the microphone diaphragm: The turbulent airflow causes the diaphragm of the microphone to vibrate rapidly, producing an electrical signal that corresponds to the wind noise. The larger the amplitude of the vibration and the louder the ensuing noise, the faster the wind blows.

Amplification of sound wave: The electrical signal generated by the microphone's diaphragm is amplified by the phone's internal electronics, which can result in a loud disturbing noise that can interfere with audio recordings or phone conversations.

Types Of Wind Noise

Now that we have discussed the physics behind wind noise, let's dive into the three types of wind noise.

Turbulence noise: The most common type of wind noise is turbulence noise, which is created by the turbulent flow of air across the microphone's diaphragm. This noise is characterised by a low-frequency rumbling sound and is difficult to remove in post-production.

Hissing noise: The hissing noise is created by air moving quickly over the surface of the microphone and is characterised by a high-frequency, white noise-like sound. A windscreen or pop filter placed over the microphone can help lessen this noise.

Popping noise: Popping noise is caused by the wind hitting the microphone head-on, creating a burst of sound that is characterised by a sharp popping sound. This type of noise can be reduced by using a foam windscreen or a pop filter that blocks the wind before it hits the microphone.

Understanding the various kinds of wind noise allows for the selection of the most effective noise-reduction techniques. For example, if turbulence noise is the primary concern, a wind-protected microphone is advised. If hissing noise is the predominant concern, however, a pop filter or windscreen can be useful. In all circumstances, it is critical to experiment with various approaches and strategies in order to identify the best effective solution for a certain issue.

Human Voice Frequency Vs Wind Noise Frequency

Typically, a male voice has a frequency range of 100Hz to 8kHz, with the fundamental frequency being 100Hz to 900Hz and its harmonics being 900Hz to 8kHz. Similarly, a female voice has a frequency range of 350Hz to 17kHz, with the fundamental frequency being 350Hz to 3kHz and its harmonics being 3kHz to 17kHz.

On the other hand, wind noise frequency is predominantly between 20Hz and 250Hz. This shows that there is a clear overlap in the lower frequency range for human voices and wind noise. The MEMS microphone in our phones will easily capture these frequencies. Since there is an overlap of frequencies, it is not easy to filter out wind noise and give a clear human voice as an output. As a result, it becomes crucial to employ strategies to minimise the impact of wind noise, as discussed earlier.

Strategies For Reducing Wind Noise

Wind noise can be reduced or eliminated using a variety of ways. Among these strategies are:

• Built-in wind protection: Wind protection, such as foam windscreens or fur covers, is integrated into some microphones. These can assist reduce wind noise by preventing wind from directly hitting the microphone diaphragm.

• Distance from the source of wind: Another strategy for reducing wind noise is to increase the distance between the microphone and the source of wind. This can be done by using a long boom pole or by placing the microphone in a location that is less affected by wind.

• Directional microphones: Directional microphones are designed to pick up sound from one direction while rejecting sound from another. By concentrating the microphone on the desired sound source while minimising the impact of wind from other directions, directional microphones can assist reduce wind noise.

By using one or a combination of these strategies, it becomes possible to minimise the impact of wind noise on audio recordings and capture clear and high-quality sound, even in windy conditions.

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