Echoes: Notes & Signals by James StoneEchos

Hybrid Work Headsets that reduce noise of others and environment

2 min read

https://www.jabra.com/business/office-headsets/jabra-evolve/jabra-evolve2-85

https://www.jabra.com/business/office-headsets/jabra-evolve/jabra-evolve2-75

https://www.jabra.com/business/headsets-for-hybrid-work https://www.jabra.com/business/hybrid-working

cheaper https://www.jabra.com/business/office-headsets/jabra-evolve/jabra-evolve2-30 https://www.jabra.com/business/office-headsets/jabra-evolve/jabra-evolve2-40 https://www.jabra.com/business/office-headsets/jabra-evolve/jabra-evolve2-65

also interesting https://www.jabra.com/business/video-conferencing/jabra-panacast

Software solutions

NVIDIA Broadcast, windows only

per Chat-GPT 4)

Me:

biggest problem is perceived background noise by the other caller. Is there other solutions to reduce it? Is there any AI or AI plugins or plugins that can be used on a mac or iphone?

ChatGPT:

Reducing perceived background noise during calls, especially in a shared space, can indeed be challenging. Fortunately, there are several solutions, including AI-based software, that can help minimize background noise during calls on a Mac or iPhone. Here are some options:

AI and Software Solutions

  1. Krisp:

    • Krisp is a noise-canceling app that uses AI to filter out background noise from both ends of a call. It works with any conferencing app and can be used on both Mac and iPhone. It’s known for its effectiveness in real-time noise reduction.

  2. NVIDIA Broadcast (for Mac users with compatible hardware):

    • Although primarily designed for PCs with NVIDIA GPUs, there’s growing support for similar technologies on Macs, particularly those with dedicated graphics. NVIDIA Broadcast uses AI to eliminate background noise and improve audio quality.

  3. Zoom’s Built-in Noise Suppression:

    • If you’re using Zoom, it has built-in noise suppression settings that you can adjust. It’s quite effective in minimizing background noise during calls.

  4. Microsoft Teams Noise Suppression:

    • Similar to Zoom, Microsoft Teams also offers built-in noise suppression features which are quite effective.

  5. Noise Blocker:

    • This application allows you to create a personalized list of sounds to block. While it’s more manual than Krisp, it offers a high level of customization.

Hardware Solutions

  1. Directional or Cardioid Microphones:

    • These microphones are designed to capture sound from a specific direction, primarily the front, which can significantly reduce background noise.

  2. Quality Headsets with Noise-Canceling Microphones:

    • As previously mentioned, headsets like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or AirPods Pro can reduce background noise picked up by the microphone.

  3. Acoustic Panels:

    • Installing acoustic panels around your workspace can help absorb sound and reduce the amount of noise that gets picked up by your microphone.

Combined Approach

For the best results, consider a combination of software and hardware solutions. For instance, using a noise-canceling microphone along with an app like Krisp can significantly enhance the quality of audio in your calls. Also, tailoring your workspace with sound-absorbing materials can complement these technological solutions.

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