How do you deal with feedback, echo, and background noise in audio visual support?

1 Test your equipment

Before you start your audio visual session, make sure you test your microphone, speakers, headphones, and any other sound devices you are using. Check the volume levels, the input and output settings, the battery life, and the connection quality. You can use online tools like MuteCheck or SoundCheck to test your microphone and hear how you sound to others. If possible, test your equipment in the same environment and with the same software you will use for your session.

2 Reduce feedback

Feedback is the annoying squealing or screeching sound that occurs when the sound from your speakers is picked up by your microphone and amplified. To prevent feedback, you should avoid placing your microphone and speakers too close to each other or too loud. You should also use headphones or earbuds instead of speakers, especially if you are in a small or enclosed space. Additionally, you should mute your microphone when you are not speaking or when someone else is speaking.

3 Eliminate echo

Echo is the delayed or repeated sound that occurs when the sound from your microphone is reflected by the walls, ceiling, floor, or other surfaces in your room. To eliminate echo, you should try to reduce the amount of hard or flat surfaces in your room, such as windows, doors, or furniture. You can also use soft or textured materials, such as curtains, rugs, pillows, or blankets, to absorb the sound and create a more acoustically friendly environment. Furthermore, you should use a directional or noise-canceling microphone that only picks up the sound from your mouth and not from the surroundings.

4 Minimize background noise

Background noise is any unwanted or distracting sound that interferes with your audio quality, such as traffic, wind, music, people, animals, or appliances. To minimize background noise, you should try to choose a quiet and isolated location for your audio visual session, and close any doors or windows that might let in noise. You should also turn off or mute any devices that might make noise, such as phones, alarms, fans, or air conditioners. Moreover, you should use a microphone with a pop filter or a windscreen to reduce the impact of breathing, popping, or hissing sounds.

5 Adjust your settings

Sometimes, the sound quality of your audio visual session can be improved by adjusting the settings of your software or platform. For example, you can use the built-in audio features of Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet to enhance your sound and reduce feedback, echo, or background noise. You can also use third-party applications or plugins, such as Krisp, Audacity, or NoiseGator, to filter out unwanted sounds and optimize your audio. However, you should always test your settings before you go live and make sure they are compatible with your equipment and software.

6 Ask for feedback

Finally, one of the best ways to deal with feedback, echo, and background noise in audio visual support is to ask for feedback from your audience or participants. You can ask them to rate your sound quality, to report any audio issues they experienced, or to suggest any improvements they would like to see. You can also monitor your own sound quality by recording your session and listening to it afterwards. By asking for feedback, you can learn from your mistakes, identify your strengths, and improve your audio visual skills.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?