How to Remove Keyboard and Desk Noise From a Recording
Updated October 2026
Keyboard and mouse clicks are short, sharp sounds that sit on top of the voice. They are easier to remove with a click repair than with noise reduction.
The short version
- Keyboard clicks are short transients; treat them as clicks, not as steady noise.
- A gate can hide clicks between phrases; a click repair removes them under the voice.
- Use a boom arm or a stand so the mic is not on the desk.
- Record with the keyboard switched off where you can.
Why the usual noise cleaner misses it
Noise reduction is built for steady sound like a fan. A keyboard click is a single short sound, and it is over before a noise profile can learn it. A click repair is the right tool: it finds short spikes that stand out from the voice and replaces them with the sound around them.
Step 1: move the mic off the desk
Most desk noise travels through the desk. A boom arm, a stand or a shock mount takes the mic off the surface. This is the fix that matters most, and it costs little.
Step 2: gate between phrases
A gate silences the recording when the voice stops, so clicks between phrases disappear. It does nothing to clicks under the voice, so use it only for the gaps. Set a short attack and a long enough release that the ends of words are kept.
Step 3: repair the clicks
A click repair finds the short spikes and replaces them with interpolated audio. Use the lowest strength that removes the clicks. Listen to the result, because too strong a repair leaves a dull patch in the voice.
Step 4: record it right
If you can, record with the keyboard idle, type in a separate pass, or switch to a quieter keyboard with a softer key feel. Mouse clicks can be avoided by using a keyboard shortcut for the recording software.
Tunedzy
Tunedzy’s Repair finds clicks and crackle and mends them, then the cleanup handles the steady noise. Check each click by ear: a few missed clicks are less noticeable than a patch of muffled voice.
Mend the clicks, keep the voice
Tunedzy’s Repair finds clicks and crackle and mends them before the cleanup. Use Before and After to listen for any patches.
Free tools for this
Frequently asked questions
Why does a noise cleaner not remove keyboard clicks?
A noise cleaner works on steady sound. Clicks are short and sharp, and need a click repair.
Does a boom arm help?
Yes. It takes the mic off the desk, so the desk does not carry the typing into the mic.
Can I remove mouse clicks too?
Yes, with the same click repair. Using keyboard shortcuts while recording avoids most of them.
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