Removing background noise is essential to podcasting as many podcasters do not have a studio where they can record their podcast. We rely primarily on noise gates and expanders to remove background noise. In this episode I explain the difference between a Noise Gate and an Expander.

WHAT IS A NOISE GATE IN RELATION TO PODCASTING?

The Noise Gate is a tool that takes away the background noise completely (based on your settings. When you use a Noise Gate you set the threshold to a specific decibel amount. Any signal UNDER that threshold will not be heard or picked up in the recording. Any signal ABOVE that threshold will be heard and picked up in your recording. The con with using a noise gate to get rid of background noise is that any signal above the threshold will open up the gate. When that noise gate is open it will allow all signals to come through whether they are under the threshold or not.

WHAT IS AN EXPANDER IN RELATION TO PODCASTING?

There are two (2) types of Expanders. There are Upward Expanders and Downward Expanders. Upward Expanders takes the lowest (quietest) part of a signal and raises it up.

Example of an Upward Expander:

STEP 1: Takes the lowest (quietest) part of the signal.

STEP 2: Takes the that lower (quietest) part of the signal and brings it up to make it louder.

How much it gets turned up is based on your preferred settings. The Downward Expander takes the lowest (quietest) part of the signal and lowers it even lower making it more quiet hence removing the background noise.

Example of an Upward Expander:

STEP 1: Takes the lowest (quietest) part of the signal.

STEP 2: Takes the that lower (quietest) part of the signal and brings it down to make it more quiet.

Upward Expanders are great for removing:

1. The neighbor mowing the lawn
2. Computer Fan
3. Air Conditioning
4. Kids screaming and playing outside
5. Planes flying over your home
6. Kids playing in the house

If you are new to podcasting and are looking for ways to reduce the background noise in your recording an Expander will do the best job (over the Noise Gate). However some feel that the Noise Gate does a good job for them when removing background noise. That choice is up to you.

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