Updated October 2026 · Phone recording
Handling noise is the thump, scratch and rustle that comes from touching or moving the phone. Put the phone on a soft stand or cloth, keep your hands off it during the take, and keep the cable slack. Record a test, then clean any remaining rumble lightly.
Handling noise is one of the most common problems in phone recordings. A finger on the case, a scrape on the table or a thump from putting the phone down can ruin an otherwise clean take. Because the phone is so sensitive, these sounds are often louder than you expect.
Handling noise travels through the phone’s body and reaches the microphone. A hand on the case, a cable tug, a bump on the desk or a rattle of the stand all make sound. Some of it is low rumble, and some is sharp and clicky, which is harder to remove.
Put the phone on a folded cloth, a soft stand or a small foam pad, so it is not in direct contact with a hard surface. A stand that holds the phone still is worth the small cost, because it stops both the bumps and the drift.
Start the recording, then take your hands away from the phone. Stop the recording with a tap, and wait a second before you lift the phone. If you need to adjust something, do it between takes.
A cable that tugs will move the phone. Give the cable some slack, and route it so it does not pull when the speaker moves. A clip-on microphone’s cable should be taped or tucked under clothing.
After recording, use a high-pass filter gently to reduce low rumble, and listen for clicks. Repair any sharp clicks in a small area, as described in the clicks and pops post. Keep the cleanup light, so the voice stays natural.
Some handling noise is impossible to remove completely. The best fix is prevention: a stand, a still hand and a short test. If the recording is spoiled by a loud bump, re-record the section rather than repairing it.
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A thump, scrape, rattle or rustle. Low rumble and sharp clicks are the most common.
Yes. It stops bumps and keeps the phone still, which helps every recording.
Rarely. Prevention works better than repair.
Tap lightly, then wait a second before you lift it, so the stop does not add a thump.
