Comments | podfic_tips: Microphone buzz/hum

decisivecake in podfic_tips

Microphone buzz/hum

May 05, 2015 22:27

So I bought a new mic for recording podfics. It worked beautifully at first, and I got a sharp, clear sound. But then it started picking up a constant loud buzzing sound which I can only get rid of after I've applied noise reduction for three times, and that makes my voice sound tinny. I tried with another mic, too, but the same happened. Is there ( Read more... )

microphones

Comments 14

jelazakazone May 5 2015, 17:59:59 UTC

Could it be picking up the fan on your computer? I know I have that problem

decisivecake May 5 2015, 18:09:37 UTC

I'm pretty sure it's not that. My laptop is at a decent distance from my mic. And no matter what distance I put my mic, the hum is still there.

jelazakazone May 5 2015, 18:58:15 UTC

Phooey. I got nothing for you then. I think someone else recently had a similar problem. Did you scroll through recent entries?

decisivecake May 6 2015, 02:33:15 UTC

Yes, I did. I PM'd them and their solution didn't work for me.

Thread 5

lauramcewan May 5 2015, 19:59:09 UTC

I had a similar problem recently. I use a headset mic and it just went bad. I borrowed my daughter's and it was clear and clean, so I bought a new one for myself. I think sometimes the equipment just wears out. I'd suggest seeing if you can borrow another one and test it, or check any wires and see if they're all seated in there. I think mine got run over by my chair wheels occasionally and so probably broke down a bit.

decisivecake May 6 2015, 02:32:28 UTC

I've tried using my friend's headset but the same thing has happened. I think the problem is with my laptop and not the headset mic.

heard_the_owl May 6 2015, 01:34:54 UTC

When I've encountered this problem, it usually turned out to be that I hadn't set my external mic as the input and my software was recording using the default internal mic. Could be worth a check.

Other times, I used to get a hum if my laptop was plugged in. IDK why - interference of some kind. Who knows. So maybe try unplugging?

Are you using Audacity? Maybe posting a screenshot of your settings might help with trouble shooting.

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kellifer_fic May 6 2015, 02:40:50 UTC

Yes - I was going to suggest this - I had thought something wacky had happened when I went from clear recording to a loud background hum and then found out Audacity had switched from the external mic input being selected to the laptop's mic and as soon as I switched it back it was all good. Sounds like a weird thing to happen if initially it was clear.

decisivecake May 6 2015, 02:41:31 UTC

I checked the mic settings and I think there's nothing wrong with them. I've also tried unplugging the laptop but the hum is still there.

snapshot:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com//s/59wl60614yuutfz/Capture.PNG?dl=0

mific May 6 2015, 12:54:58 UTC

Hmmm. All I can see is that your playback volume setting's right at the max. I generally have it in the middle of the range. But maybe on your system you need it set like that. Also not an explanation as to how that could cause a hum in the recording.

It's a USB mic from the look of it? Are you sure the USB connection's good? Might pay to try a different USB socket?

Actually, googling it located this, which is a bit like what I was sugegsting and might help. Esp. if your mic's still under warranty!
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2104237

ETA: to remove stupidity caused by not reading your post properly.

Thread 5

Annoying hum b7_kerravon May 18 2015, 06:32:59 UTC

Sometimes the hum is in the environment where you're recording, and it's something simple. I had an intermittent hum that was driving me crazy trying to track down - I got a better mike, unplugged or turned off anything else plugged into the computer, and moved the mike as far away from the computer as possible; all to no avail. Ultimately it turned out to be the overhead florescent lighting. All I had to do was turn them off.

Re: Annoying hum decisivecake May 28 2015, 16:02:33 UTC

I've tried turning the light off, I've tried unplugging my laptop from the charger, I've tried recording in another room. I got the laptop checked, and turns out the drivers weren't up to date, and while updating the drivers fixed some of the issues with the laptop, the hum stays. I've tried using the mic on a different, older laptop. I tried using a different recording software. And the hum is still there! I have absolutely no idea where it's coming from. It's just there. Every time I record. It's driving me crazy.