Blue Yeti: Reduce Mechanical Keyboard Noise

This guide shows you how to make your Blue Yeti microphone pick up less mechanical keyboard noise, so your voice recordings, streams, and calls sound cleaner. You’ll learn practical positioning, software, and hardware tweaks that reduce clacks and thocks without needing a new microphone. We’ll cover everything from gain and polar patterns to free software filters and simple DIY isolation.

What You’ll Need

• Blue Yeti microphone (any version: Yeti, Yeti X, Yeti Nano)
• USB cable and computer with the Blue Yeti connected
• Access to your recording/streaming software (OBS, Discord, Audacity, etc.)
• Optional: a shock mount or boom arm (helps a lot)
• Optional: a pop filter or foam windscreen (not for noise, but helps with plosives)
• Optional: a soft surface like a towel or mousepad (for DIY isolation)

Step-by-Step

1. Set the polar pattern to cardioid. The Blue Yeti has a button on the back that cycles through four patterns. Choose the one that looks like a heart or a cardioid (the symbol that looks like a half-circle with a flat side). This picks up sound mostly from the front and rejects sound from the sides and rear. If your keyboard is to the side or behind the mic, this alone can cut a lot of noise.
2. Position the microphone correctly. Place the Yeti so that the front (the side with the Blue logo) faces your mouth, and the keyboard is behind or to the side of the mic. The cardioid pattern’s null (the area of least sensitivity) is directly at the rear of the mic. If your keyboard is behind the mic, you’ll get the most rejection. If it’s to the side, you’ll still get some reduction, but not as much.
3. Lower the gain (input volume). The gain knob on the front of the Yeti controls how sensitive the mic is. Turn it down so that your voice is still clear but not peaking. The lower the gain, the less background noise (including keyboard) is picked up. Aim for your voice to peak around -12 dB to -6 dB in your recording software. You can compensate by talking a bit closer to the mic (about 15–20 cm / 6–8 inches).
4. Move the microphone closer to your mouth. This goes hand-in-hand with lowering gain. The closer the mic is to your voice, the louder your voice is relative to the keyboard noise. If you have the mic on a boom arm, bring it right to your mouth, just out of frame if you’re on camera. If it’s on a stand, position it so it’s just a few inches from your face.
5. Use a shock mount or boom arm. The Yeti’s built-in stand is notorious for picking up vibrations from your desk. If you type heavily, those vibrations travel up the stand and into the mic. A shock mount (which cradles the mic with elastic bands) or a boom arm (which attaches to the desk or a stand) will isolate the mic from those vibrations. This won’t stop the airborne sound of the keys, but it will stop the low-frequency thumping.
6. Add a noise gate in software. A noise gate is a filter that mutes the microphone when the volume falls below a set threshold. Set the threshold so that it’s just above the level of your keyboard noise but below your voice. When you’re not speaking, the gate closes and the keyboard noise is silenced. Most recording software (OBS, Discord, Audacity) has a noise gate built in. In OBS, add a “Noise Gate” filter to your microphone source. In Discord, enable “Noise Suppression” in voice settings.
7. Apply noise suppression / reduction. Many programs also have a noise suppression filter that removes constant background hum. In OBS, add a “Noise Suppression” filter (RNNoise is a good option). In Audacity, you can use the “Noise Reduction” effect: select a few seconds of just keyboard noise, go to Effects > Noise Reduction, click “Get Noise Profile,” then select the entire track and apply the effect. This can dramatically reduce the clacking.
8. Use a high-pass filter (EQ). Mechanical keyboard noise is often low-mid frequency (thocks and clacks). A high-pass filter cuts frequencies below a certain point. In OBS, add a “High-Pass Filter” and set the cutoff around 80–100 Hz. This will remove the low rumble without affecting your voice much. You can also use EQ in Audacity or other software.
9. Place a soft surface under the keyboard. A desk mat, mousepad, or even a towel under your keyboard will dampen the vibration and slightly muffle the sound. This is a cheap and effective way to reduce the noise at the source.
10. Consider a keyboard switch dampener (O-rings). If you’re willing to mod your keyboard, O-rings (small rubber rings) placed on the keycap stems soften the bottom-out sound. This reduces the clack significantly. It’s a cheap and reversible mod that many typists and gamers use.

Common Mistakes

• Using omnidirectional or stereo mode. These modes pick up sound from all directions, so your keyboard noise will be just as loud as your voice. Always use cardioid.
• Turning the mic gain up too high. If the gain is too high, the mic will pick up everything, including the keyboard. Lower gain and move closer.
• Placing the keyboard directly in front of the mic. The front of the cardioid is the most sensitive, so if your keyboard is in front, you’re making it worse. Move it to the side or behind.
• Relying only on software noise suppression. Software can help, but it can also make your voice sound processed or robotic. The best results come from a combination of physical positioning and software filters.
• Not using a shock mount. If the mic is on the stock stand on a desk, you’re picking up vibrations. A shock mount or boom arm is almost essential for mechanical keyboards.

Tips

• Test your settings. After each change, record a short clip and listen back. Adjust the gain, position, and filters until the keyboard is barely audible.
• Use a dynamic EQ (if available). Some software (like Reaper or advanced OBS plugins) allow a dynamic EQ that only cuts frequencies when they get loud. This can be more transparent than a static EQ.
• Try the Yeti’s mute button. If you’re not speaking, just mute the mic. It’s a simple habit that eliminates all keyboard noise.
• If you’re on a budget, use a free software like OBS. OBS has all the filters you need (noise gate, suppression, high-pass) and is free. You can even use OBS as a virtual microphone for Discord or Zoom.
• Consider a different mic if you still have issues. The Blue Yeti is a condenser mic, which is very sensitive. If you’re a heavy typist, a dynamic mic (like a Shure SM7B or a simple dynamic USB mic) will pick up far less keyboard noise by nature. But that’s a bigger investment.

Troubleshooting

• Keyboard noise is still loud after following all steps. Check that you’re actually in cardioid mode. Some Yeti models have a button that cycles, and it’s easy to accidentally switch to stereo. Also, make sure the front of the mic (with the logo) is facing you, not the side. If you’re using a boom arm, ensure the mic is not touching the desk or keyboard.
• My voice sounds muffled or distant. You probably lowered the gain too much or moved the mic too far away. Bring the mic closer (6–8 inches) and raise the gain slightly. Also, check that the high-pass filter isn’t set too high (above 100 Hz could cut into your voice).
• Noise gate is cutting off the beginning of my words. The threshold is too high or the attack time is too slow. Lower the threshold (make it less sensitive) and set the attack to a fast value (like 10 ms). Also, ensure the release time is not too long (around 100 ms is good).
• Noise suppression makes my voice sound robotic. The suppression strength is too high. In OBS, try the RNNoise filter at a lower strength, or use a noise gate instead. In Audacity, use a lower noise reduction amount (like 6 dB).
• I still hear a low hum or buzz. This might be electrical interference from your computer or USB port. Try a different USB port, or a USB hub with its own power. Also, keep the mic cable away from power cables.
• My keyboard is very loud (clicky switches). If you have blue switches, they are inherently loud. Software filters can help, but the most effective solution is to use O-rings or consider a quieter switch type (like brown or red) if you’re willing to change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Blue Yeti’s polar pattern really matter?

Yes. Cardioid mode rejects sound from the rear and sides, which is exactly where your keyboard likely is. Using stereo or omnidirectional mode will pick up everything equally, making the keyboard noise just as loud as your voice.

Can I use the Blue Yeti’s built-in mute button to avoid keyboard noise?

Absolutely. If you’re not speaking, just mute the mic. It’s the simplest and most effective way to eliminate keyboard noise. Get into the habit of muting when you’re not talking.

Will a pop filter reduce keyboard noise?

No. A pop filter is designed to reduce plosives (the “p” and “b” sounds) from your voice. It does nothing for keyboard noise. However, it can help you get closer to the mic without popping, which indirectly helps because you can lower the gain.

Is a shock mount really necessary?

If your keyboard is on the same desk as the mic, yes. The vibrations from your typing travel through the desk and into the mic’s stand, causing a low-frequency thump. A shock mount or boom arm isolates the mic from those vibrations.

Can I use OBS filters for Discord or Zoom?

Yes. You can use OBS as a virtual microphone by installing a virtual audio cable (like VB-Cable, free). Then, in Discord or Zoom, select “CABLE Input” as your microphone. All the filters you apply in OBS will be applied to your voice.

What if I still can’t get rid of the keyboard noise?

If you’ve tried all the steps and the noise is still too loud, consider that the Blue Yeti is a very sensitive condenser mic. A dynamic microphone (like a Samson Q2U or Audio-Technica ATR2100x) is much less sensitive to background noise and might be a better fit for a noisy environment. That’s a last resort, but it works.

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