MacBook Pro 16 - mic noice-cancelling does not work

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Level 1

12 points

MacBook Pro 16 - mic noice-cancelling does not work

I have new MacBook Pro 16 with MacOS Catalina 10.15.4 (19E287). And everything works quite well, except of internal microphone. In the advertising they say it has noice-cancelling technology for internal microphone. But I did many tests and I hear all noises from coolers the same as it was on my old MacBook Pro 15 with single mic.

Anybody knows how to enable noice cancelling?

Here example of sound from mic, when coolers are working:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J0K1bWINrU

I can't see any possibilities to enable noice cancelling.

MacBook Pro

Posted on May 12, 2020 11:24 AM

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Answer 1

Virtustilus Author

Level 1

12 points

May 13, 2020 8:00 AM in response to DPJ

I have MBP 15 from 2015 year - it has also good cooling system with low throttling
In my ears the noise from both MacBooks fans are the same when CPU are loaded.
When noise reduction on MBP 15 is turned off, I hear almost the same noise as on MBP 16, just microphone on MBP 15 has worse quality in general.
When noise reduction on MBP 15 is tuned on - it makes a game changing thing - when you are not speaking, there is almost no noise from you as well.

No I don't want to loose all good thing that I have from MacBook by changing it with some HP/Dell because of microphone only. I have 3 MacBooks and 1 MacMini and I don't want any Linux/Windows PC here. Just would be good if they return this programmatic ability to reduce noises, I suppose it was not right step in removing that feature. And I thought maybe somebody played with PLists, etc and found a way to turn it on back on Catalina.

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Answer 2

DPJ

Level 4

1,368 points

May 12, 2020 11:37 AM in response to Virtustilus

I think you misread Apple's advertisement. They do not advertise the built-in mic to have noise cancelling. See my included screenshots. Furthermore I would honestly recommend investing in a good quality external mic. They mention Force Cancelling Woofers only. My professional cameras advertise the best quality mics but they pic up noise still. If you notice every photographer that records video uses an external mic for better quality recording and to avoid internal noise from the product and external ambient noise.

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Answer 3

Virtustilus Author

Level 1

12 points

May 13, 2020 9:44 AM in response to DPJ

In their help it's still there :)

I played with plists a lot, since I'm developer :)

But have no time to reinstall MacOS if I break something, so might be later, or will be just waiting for Apple when they return it back.

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Answer 4

Virtustilus Author

Level 1

12 points

May 12, 2020 2:09 PM in response to DPJ

Thank you, DPJ. I just did a test the same test with MacBook Pro 15 that works on Mojave and yes, sound a bit different. There is option to reduce noise and it really works there. I can't hear any noise from coolers, but on new MacBook Pro 16 with Catalina I don't have that noise reduction feature and sound has all that noise from coolers sadly.

I thought that I could speak normally through applications like Skype, Hangouts, but everybody hear that big noice from coolers and I had no that problem with MacBook Pro 15.

Of course I can buy external microphone, but taking it with me everywhere - I don't feel it convenient. I hope Apple can return that noise cancelling feature.

I fully agree that without enabled noise reduction on MacBook Pro 15 sound is worse than on MacBook Pro 16 and has almost no low frequency sounds, but for a discussion through Skype it's exactly that needed.

Made a comparison 16 vs 15 vs 16+Krisp app:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NabWZpx9LZs

I don't like Krisp as well, because it reduces quality a lot (on MBP Pro 15 it was reducing noise, but quality was ok).

Tested many times using iPhone as sound source above MBP Pro 16 mics and I think noise reduction actually always works a little bit, but it's not designed to remove cooler noise, only to make needed microphone polar pattern.

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Answer 5

DPJ

Level 4

1,368 points

May 12, 2020 2:17 PM in response to Virtustilus

Not every situation is going to be ideal. You have background sound from coolers. Not sure what these coolers are since you didn't mention it but you could just move the MacBook to the ideal spot. But seriously buy an external mic. You mentioned you can't carry the external mic everywhere. You're not going to be around those coolers everywhere either. haha. Apple increased the quality of the mic in the 16" and it's a lot more powerful than the one the 15", but noise cancelling isn't something they advertised about it. Your best solution is to get an external mic. I do video production on my 16" MBP and I have a Blue Yeti Pro Mic. I've never used the mic built into the computer. If your work is mission critical then you shouldn't rely on the built-in mic. An external mic is very necessary.

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Answer 6

DPJ

Level 4

1,368 points

May 12, 2020 3:31 PM in response to Virtustilus

Oh you mean the fans. Never heard anyone call them coolers. For that reason alone you'll just have to get an external mic. What are you running that is causing the fans to be on constantly? I have a 16" MBP and my fans aren't running like that. I do a lot of video production in Final Cut Pro X and I edit audio in Logic Pro X.

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Answer 7

Virtustilus Author

Level 1

12 points

May 12, 2020 11:14 PM in response to DPJ

At home I have quite good streaming USB microphone, but the question is that they made new MacBook Pro 16 not able to normally use for Skype calls outside of the home... I won't take that big microphone everywhere with me and the idea of connecting headphones every time I need to have a short call is also outside of the idea why I need MacBook.

About the reason why fans sometimes are on high speed is simple - I'm working with software development and even some work dashboards in Chrome can take about 50% of CPU and with Skype with 10 cameras and enabled screen sharing - it's more than enough to heat MacBook much and making fans on full speed.

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Answer 8

DPJ

Level 4

1,368 points

May 13, 2020 6:37 AM in response to Virtustilus

Ah I see. Your uses for it and software are definitely causing the dGPU to run full time. It has a very powerful dGPU as opposed to the average dGPU that was in your older Mac. Chrome also is a resource hog which uses a lot of system resources and drains battery fast, especially since the dGPU is activated. Apple's new cooling system included new powerful fans to prevent thermal throttling unlike the previous 15" which was throttling a lot. More powerful fans to keep the system cool will be quite audible, but it depends on what you're doing.

Your MacBook Pro is performing the way it's supposed to. I have the same model. Well at this point the only recommendation I have for you is if you're still within the 14 day return period is to get a refund and find a different computer that will serve your needs. Perhaps a Dell or HP laptop? You can reach out to Apple Support to setup a refund at this link. Contact - Official Apple Supportsupport.apple.com › contact

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Answer 9

DPJ

Level 4

1,368 points

May 13, 2020 8:26 AM in response to Virtustilus

Disregard my earlier post (except the part where you stated they advertised noise cancelling in the 16".) Sorry I found the Ambient noise reduction you were referring to on my iMac. I don't think it would quiet down the noise from the fans I heard in your video. There must've been a reason Apple removed that feature with the new mics in the 16" but I'm sure it was for good reason. You'll have to make necessary adjustments if you don't want to switch to a different brand to get your work done.

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Answer 10

Virtustilus Author

Level 1

12 points

May 13, 2020 8:44 AM in response to DPJ

I sent feedback with that question, how to enable Ambient noise reduction, but no any response yet.

On MacBook Pro 15 that feature works like a charm.

And actually I wasn't fully wrong about 3 mic array that it cancels noise. It's actually working, but the noise cancelled only from behind of macbook and not from the fan.

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Answer 11

DPJ

Level 4

1,368 points

May 13, 2020 8:50 AM in response to Virtustilus

I've been searching around the web. It might be a bug. Not sure still. I do a great deal of editing in FCPX and Logic Pro using an external mic which is why I have no use or need for the internal microphone other than when my company does Zoom meetings. I wouldn't recommend changing Plists as it may cause other issues. I'm still searching around to see if there is talk about the ambient noise feature being removed from Catalina. If I find anything I will report back.

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