> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.talkifai.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Noise Cancellation

> Enable RNNoise-based audio noise cancellation for cleaner voice quality.

## Overview

TalkifAI's voice agent runtime includes built-in **RNNoise** noise cancellation — a deep learning model that removes background noise from user audio in real time.

This significantly improves STT accuracy in noisy environments (offices, call centers, outdoors).

***

## How It Works

```
User Microphone (raw audio)
         │
         ▼
┌────────────────────────┐
│   RNNoise Filter       │
│   (real-time, <5ms)    │
│   Removes: fans, AC,   │
│   keyboard clicks,     │
│   background voices    │
└────────────┬───────────┘
             │  Clean audio
             ▼
     STT Provider
```

RNNoise runs **before** the audio is sent to the STT provider, so you get cleaner transcripts without increasing STT costs.

***

## Enabling Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is configured per-agent.

### Via Dashboard

1. Go to **Agent Settings → Audio**
2. Toggle **Noise Cancellation** to enabled
3. Save

### Via API

```bash theme={null}
PATCH /v1/agents/{agentId}
```

```json theme={null}
{
  "noiseCancellation": true
}
```

***

## Performance

| Metric                 | Value                    |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------ |
| Latency added          | \< 5ms                   |
| CPU overhead           | \~2% per concurrent call |
| Noise reduction        | 20-40 dB                 |
| Supported sample rates | 8kHz, 16kHz, 48kHz       |

***

## When to Enable

**Enable noise cancellation when:**

* Agents are accessed from offices or noisy environments
* You're seeing high error rates in transcription
* Users complain about having to repeat themselves

**May not be needed when:**

* Calls come from quiet, controlled environments
* You're using a high-quality STT model that handles noise well

***

## Technical Details

RNNoise is implemented as a native Python wrapper (`rnnoise_wrapper.py`) in the voice agent runtime. It processes audio frames before they reach the STT pipeline.

The model is:

* Pre-trained on a large corpus of noise types
* Runs entirely on-device (no external API call)
* Stateful per call session (maintains noise profile across frames)

***

## Troubleshooting

**Issue**: Voice sounds robotic or distorted

* **Fix**: Try disabling noise cancellation. Some voice types (very high-pitched) may be affected.

**Issue**: Agent mishears words even with noise cancellation

* **Fix**: Check your STT provider's confidence threshold. Also consider switching to Deepgram Nova 2 for better noise robustness.