Krisp vs. Built-In Microphones: Which Gives Better Call Quality?Clear audio is the foundation of productive remote meetings, telemedicine visits, podcasts, and any situation where voice matters. Two common approaches to improving call quality are: relying on the computer or device’s built-in microphone, and using software noise suppression like Krisp to process that microphone’s signal (or a separate mic). This article compares both options across real-world factors, explains how Krisp works, and gives practical recommendations for different use cases.
How built-in microphones work
Most laptops, tablets, and some monitors include one or more small microphones. Their key characteristics:
- Small electret or MEMS capsules with limited diaphragm size and sensitivity.
- Fixed placement—usually near the webcam—so they pick up voice and a lot of local ambient noise.
- Limited frequency response and dynamic range compared with dedicated external microphones.
- Often rely on basic hardware or operating-system-level processing (AGC, simple noise reduction, or echo cancellation).
Built-in mics are convenient: always available, no configuration, and compact. They are, however, optimized for general use rather than high-fidelity voice capture.
How Krisp works (brief technical overview)
Krisp is a real-time AI-based noise-cancellation application that sits between your microphone (or speaker) and the communication app (Zoom, Teams, Skype, etc.). Core points:
- Uses machine learning models to distinguish voice from background noise.
- Operates on short audio frames to perform spectral and temporal suppression of non-voice components.
- Applies filtering without introducing large latency—suitable for live calls.
- Can process both microphone input (removing background sounds you make) and speaker output (removing background sounds from the other side).
Krisp does not replace the microphone hardware; rather, it enhances the signal the microphone captures.
Objective audio quality: which performs better?
Short answer: Krisp plus a decent microphone generally gives better call quality than a built-in microphone alone. But the outcome depends on variables:
- If using only the built-in microphone with no noise suppression, quality is typically worse in noisy environments due to high ambient pickup and limited mic fidelity.
- If using the built-in mic with Krisp enabled, Krisp can significantly reduce background noise (keyboard, fans, street noise, pets) and often produce clearer voice intelligibility.
- If you pair Krisp with a high-quality external microphone (USB/XLR), results are superior: the mic captures richer, cleaner voice and Krisp removes residual background noise.
- In extremely quiet environments, the difference between a built-in mic and an external mic is smaller, and Krisp provides limited additional benefit.
Latency and CPU impact
- Krisp is designed for real-time use; added latency is small (typically a few milliseconds) and generally unnoticeable in conversational settings.
- It uses CPU or available hardware acceleration; older or low-power devices may see higher CPU usage which can affect battery life and occasionally cause audio glitches.
- Built-in mic with no processing has negligible CPU impact but provides no noise suppression beyond basic OS features.
Noise types and effectiveness
Krisp excels at reducing constant and semi-constant noises: HVAC, fans, traffic, keyboard clacks, and steady background chatter. It is less effective on:
- Overlapping human speech that needs to remain intelligible (it may attenuate other speakers but not perfectly).
- Sudden, impulsive noises (glass clinks, doors slamming) — mitigated but sometimes perceptible.
- Very low-level ambient hums that match voice frequencies — risk of slight voice coloration.
Built-in microphones pick up all these sounds with no selective filtering unless the OS provides some noise suppression.
Voice naturalness and artifacts
- Modern AI denoising (like Krisp) strives to preserve natural timbre and cadence. In many cases, processed voice sounds clear and natural.
- Aggressive noise reduction settings can introduce artifacts: slight robotic or “underwater” tonal shifts, transient smearing, or brief clipping of consonants.
- High-quality external mics with moderate Krisp settings minimize artifacts while maximizing clarity.
Ease of use and integration
- Built-in mic: zero setup, reliable default device selection, automatic working across apps.
- Krisp: requires installation and selecting Krisp as the audio device in the communication app. Many apps integrate directly with Krisp, making setup straightforward. Some users need to manage which device is active to avoid doubled audio paths.
Cost and accessibility
- Built-in mic: free and universal on devices.
- Krisp: offers a free tier with limited minutes/features and paid plans for unlimited use and advanced features. Cost should be weighed against how often you need noise suppression.
- External mics: one-time hardware cost; paired with Krisp, the best quality but higher upfront spend.
Practical recommendations
- For frequent calls from noisy or shared spaces: use Krisp with the built-in mic if you don’t have an external microphone. It will noticeably reduce background distractions.
- For podcasts, streaming, professional voice work: use a quality external mic (USB or XLR) and enable Krisp to remove residual background noise.
- For quiet, private environments: built-in mic may suffice; if you want cleaner background-free audio or are mobile, Krisp is still a small improvement.
- For low-power devices or strict battery limits: test Krisp’s CPU/battery impact; if problematic, consider a hardware alternative (directional headset microphone) that reduces noise at the source.
Quick comparison
| Factor | Built-In Microphone | Built-In Mic + Krisp | External Microphone + Krisp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise suppression | None or basic | Good | Best |
| Voice fidelity | Low–moderate | Improved | Highest |
| Latency impact | Minimal | Small | Small |
| CPU/battery use | Minimal | Moderate | Moderate |
| Cost | Free | Free tier / Paid | Hardware cost + optional Krisp |
Real-world examples
- Remote worker in an open-plan office: built-in mic = lots of background; Krisp reduces crowd noise and keyboard sounds, making speech intelligible.
- Parent on a call with children playing: Krisp often masks the children’s distant noise; close, overlapping speech from children may still be noticeable.
- Podcaster recording at home: external mic plus Krisp keeps room noise low while capturing full voice richness.
Limitations and caveats
- No software can fully recreate a high-end acoustically treated studio environment. Krisp improves signals but cannot add missing fidelity captured only by superior hardware.
- Misconfiguration (wrong audio device selected) can cause no improvement or double audio.
- Very aggressive suppression settings can harm natural voice quality; adjust settings for balance.
Conclusion
Krisp plus a decent microphone typically provides better call quality than relying on a device’s built-in microphone alone. For noisy environments or frequent calls, Krisp is a powerful, practical tool. For the best overall audio, use a quality external microphone together with Krisp to remove residual background noise while preserving voice fidelity.
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