Microphone & audio quality

In the microphone setup the dropdown lists every audio input the browser sees. Pick the microphone you want. OpenBooth remembers the choice per channel in this browser.

Speak at normal volume. The level meter should mostly sit in the middle range. If it constantly hits the red zone, the input signal is too hot and may clip.

• Reduce the gain on the microphone or audio interface.
• Keep 10–20 cm distance to the microphone.

Echo happens when studio audio loops back into the microphone via speakers. You turn on the browser's echo cancellation under <code>Settings → Audio</code>: switch on <b>Sound isolation</b>, then <b>Echo cancellation</b> under <b>Adjust individually</b>. It's off by default and meant for speaking without headphones. The microphone then runs in mono. Safest: use headphones, then the issue goes away.

The <b>Sound isolation</b> switch under <code>Settings → Audio</code> turns on the browser's filters. It's off by default. Under <b>Adjust individually</b> you choose which filters run: noise suppression and echo cancellation. Out of the box only noise suppression is on.

If your signal comes from a mixing desk, an audio interface or another line input, the audio is usually already processed. You don't need the studio's speech processing anymore, it can even make the signal worse. In <code>Settings → Audio</code> set it up so the signal passes through 1:1:

• Turn off <b>Sound isolation</b>.
• Turn off <b>Mute speech pauses</b>.
• Leave <b>Input volume</b> at 100%.

That way the signal passes through 1:1, and all processing happens on your mixing desk.

<b>Mute speech pauses</b> mutes the microphone during longer pauses in speech and opens again as soon as a louder sound comes in. While it's muted, the level meter shows no movement, even though the microphone is picking up sound.