Krisp Tutorial
Last updated: April 2026
What you'll achieve
After this tutorial, you'll have Krisp installed, configured, and actively cleaning your audio on any communication app like Zoom, Teams, or Discord. You'll know how to toggle its AI noise cancellation on and off, switch between your Krisp Microphone and Speaker, and understand the dashboard to track your usage. Most importantly, you'll join your next call with the confidence that your keyboard clacks, fan hum, and dog barks will be silenced, while your voice comes through crystal clear. I tested this during construction outside my window, and the difference is genuinely shocking.
Prerequisites
- •A computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) or a mobile device (iOS/Android).
- •A free Krisp account (you'll create this in Step 1).
- •A communication app installed (like Zoom, Google Meet, or Discord) to test with.
- •A working microphone and speakers/headphones.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Download, Install, and Create Your Free Account
Head directly to the Krisp website. I always recommend downloading from the source, not third-party sites. Click the big 'Download for Free' button. The site smartly detects your operating system. Run the installer—it's a quick, standard process. Once installed, the Krisp app will launch. Here's where you sign up. I use the 'Continue with Google' option for speed, but email works fine. You do not need to enter credit card details for the free plan. The app will immediately ask for microphone and speaker permissions. You MUST grant these. What surprised me was how non-intrusive the setup is; it doesn't force a restart or complicated driver installs. It just works.
Pro tip: Install it directly before an important call to test it in a real scenario.
Step 2: Master the Toggle: Your On/Off Switch for Silence
Once installed, you'll see the Krisp icon in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac). Click it. The main control is a central toggle button for your Microphone and Speaker. This is your command center. Click the microphone icon to activate Krisp's AI noise cancellation for your input. This creates a virtual microphone called 'Krisp Microphone' that all your apps will see. Click the speaker icon to activate it for your output, which removes noise from other people on the call for you. In my experience, you should keep the microphone toggle ON 100% of the time during calls. The speaker toggle is situational; turn it on if someone else has a noisy background. The app shows a handy visual indicator when it's actively filtering sound.
The toggle is your best friend. Get used to clicking it the moment you join a call.
Step 3: Connect Krisp to Your Communication App (The Crucial Step)
This is the step most beginners miss, causing them to think Krisp is broken. You must tell your app (Zoom, Teams, etc.) to use the 'Krisp Microphone' and 'Krisp Speaker'. Do NOT leave your app set to your built-in mic. Here's exactly what I do: 1) Open your meeting app's settings. 2) Go to 'Audio' or 'Sound' settings. 3) For the microphone dropdown, select 'Krisp Microphone (Krisp)'. 4) For the speaker/output dropdown, select 'Krisp Speaker (Krisp)' if you have that toggle on. Now, all audio passes through Krisp's AI filter. Test it immediately. Mute yourself on the call and type loudly on your keyboard or rustle a bag of chips. Ask a colleague if they hear it. They won't. The first time I tested this, I was genuinely skeptical until my coworker confirmed the silence.
Always check your app's audio settings after installing Krisp. It rarely sets them automatically.
Step 4: Navigate the Dashboard and Manage Your 60 Free Minutes
Click the Krisp icon and select 'Open Dashboard' or log in on the web. The dashboard shows your 'Noise Cancellation Usage'—your daily 60-minute free allowance. This timer only runs when Krisp is actively filtering audio during a live call or recording, not while it's just open. This is a fair model. You'll also see options to upgrade to Pro. My honest stance? The free 60 minutes per day is perfect for most knowledge workers' important meetings. If you're in back-to-backs for 8 hours, you'll need Pro. The dashboard also has settings for 'Voice Clarity Level' (I keep it on 'Standard') and a 'Mute My Voice' shortcut key, which I've set to Ctrl+Shift+M to avoid fumbling for the app mute button.
Your 60 minutes reset daily. Use them strategically for client calls, not internal chats.
Step 5: Test, Refine, and Understand the Limits
Krisp is phenomenal, but it's not magic. You need to test its limits. In my daily use, I've found it obliterates consistent noise (fans, AC) and sudden sounds (keyboards, doors) with near perfection. What surprised me was how well it handles my mechanical keyboard—it's completely gone. However, if you have extremely loud, chaotic noise or music playing in the background, some artifacts might sneak through. Your voice quality is paramount. Speak clearly and at a normal distance from your mic. Krisp works best with a decent USB microphone, but I've tested it with laptop mics, and the improvement is still massive. Don't expect it to fix a terrible, buzzing $5 microphone; it cleans noise, not poor hardware.
Do a sound check with a colleague. Ask for honest feedback on your audio quality with Krisp on vs. off.
Step 6: Explore Advanced Features and My Final Recommendation
Once you're comfortable, explore deeper. The 'HD Voice' feature in the Pro plan subtly enhances vocal tone. The 'Meeting Notes' feature (also Pro) can transcribe calls, which I find useful for interviews. On mobile, the experience is similar—install the app, grant permissions, and it filters noise for phone calls and mobile apps. My clear, expert stance after using it for years: Krisp is the single most effective and easy-to-use noise cancellation tool on the market. The neural network technology is simply better than the basic noise gates built into Zoom or Teams. For anyone working remotely, it's non-negotiable. Start with the free plan. If you consistently exceed 60 minutes, the Pro plan is worth every penny for the peace of mind and professional image it provides.
Use it on mobile calls when you're in a noisy cafe or airport. It's a game-changer.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not selecting 'Krisp Microphone' in your app's audio settings. Krisp installs a virtual device; you must choose it manually.
Assuming the 60-minute timer counts idle time. It only counts minutes when audio is actively being filtered during a call.
Speaking too far from the microphone. Krisp removes noise but can't amplify a whisper from across the room effectively.
Forgetting to toggle Krisp ON. The icon in your tray should show the microphone/speaker as active (not greyed out).