Micro XLR with annoying background noise
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Anonymous user
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Judge_DT Posted messages 644 Registration date Status Modérateur Last intervention -
Judge_DT Posted messages 644 Registration date Status Modérateur Last intervention -
Hello/Good evening,
I recently bought an XLR mic, an Audio Technica AT2020 with a 48-volt InnoGear power supply, which is just a simple power supply.
First problem, the mic doesn’t work with a USB sound card (still connected to the power supply), so I have to use the PC’s standard jack ports. Second problem, the mic produces a very annoying hiss/background noise considering I’ve watched quite a few videos testing this mic and they had no issues (it’s possible the videographers fix that in post-production, but even removing the background noise, I think it should affect the mic quality). So, I have several questions:
1 - Should I buy a mixing console, like a Behringer 302USB?
2 - Could it be that there’s something wrong with my mic since it’s new?
3 - Or is it coming from my PC? I’ve tried it on two other PCs and it’s the same.
For now, I’m connecting the mic to the second mic input on my PC, which produces less background noise, but the sound is quieter. On the other input, the mic is louder but has a lot of background noise, considering I have to turn it all the way up because the mic is too weak if I lower the gain.
I also tried activating the noise reduction in the settings, but then the background noise completely disappears, but the quality is horrible, and if I talk continuously, the sound decreases.
I hope you can shed some light on this subject, as I’ve been wanting to start audio projects with a friend for a while, and the only thing preventing me is this annoying background noise that greatly affects the recordings. Thank you for reading this little paragraph, and I hope for a quick response.
I recently bought an XLR mic, an Audio Technica AT2020 with a 48-volt InnoGear power supply, which is just a simple power supply.
First problem, the mic doesn’t work with a USB sound card (still connected to the power supply), so I have to use the PC’s standard jack ports. Second problem, the mic produces a very annoying hiss/background noise considering I’ve watched quite a few videos testing this mic and they had no issues (it’s possible the videographers fix that in post-production, but even removing the background noise, I think it should affect the mic quality). So, I have several questions:
1 - Should I buy a mixing console, like a Behringer 302USB?
2 - Could it be that there’s something wrong with my mic since it’s new?
3 - Or is it coming from my PC? I’ve tried it on two other PCs and it’s the same.
For now, I’m connecting the mic to the second mic input on my PC, which produces less background noise, but the sound is quieter. On the other input, the mic is louder but has a lot of background noise, considering I have to turn it all the way up because the mic is too weak if I lower the gain.
I also tried activating the noise reduction in the settings, but then the background noise completely disappears, but the quality is horrible, and if I talk continuously, the sound decreases.
I hope you can shed some light on this subject, as I’ve been wanting to start audio projects with a friend for a while, and the only thing preventing me is this annoying background noise that greatly affects the recordings. Thank you for reading this little paragraph, and I hope for a quick response.
3 réponses
Hi,
I've never used a microphone that requires power; it doesn't work without it?
The cable of a microphone must be of good quality and shielded; did it come with the microphone?
I've never used a microphone that requires power; it doesn't work without it?
The cable of a microphone must be of good quality and shielded; did it come with the microphone?
Hello,
Here are a few elements that may help us move forward:
1) Audio Technica and other manufacturers produce condenser microphones that use power supplies or batteries to generate a current applied to the sensor and circuits.
At the output of these circuits, there is an XLR or CANNON connector with three conductors, allowing for shielding of the connection and protection against noise interference and line loss.
3) This connection is referred to as balanced, which means there is a capacitor at the input of the circuit, on the mixing desk or recorder side, to adapt the connection to the unbalanced inputs of these circuits.
4) If not, this could explain the issues (hum, weak signal) observed.
5) It would be surprising for you to have two microphone inputs, or even one microphone input and one line input, unless using a desktop PC equipped with a sound card with microphone and line inputs, which is becoming rare.
6) A mixing desk would not solve the problem because if the signal is degraded at the source, connecting it to any equipment will not allow for correction.
7) You would need to try the microphone on another piece of equipment (recorder or cassette deck, or even an amplifier with a microphone input or mixing desk) after resolving this asymmetry issue.
Best regards.
Here are a few elements that may help us move forward:
1) Audio Technica and other manufacturers produce condenser microphones that use power supplies or batteries to generate a current applied to the sensor and circuits.
At the output of these circuits, there is an XLR or CANNON connector with three conductors, allowing for shielding of the connection and protection against noise interference and line loss.
3) This connection is referred to as balanced, which means there is a capacitor at the input of the circuit, on the mixing desk or recorder side, to adapt the connection to the unbalanced inputs of these circuits.
4) If not, this could explain the issues (hum, weak signal) observed.
5) It would be surprising for you to have two microphone inputs, or even one microphone input and one line input, unless using a desktop PC equipped with a sound card with microphone and line inputs, which is becoming rare.
6) A mixing desk would not solve the problem because if the signal is degraded at the source, connecting it to any equipment will not allow for correction.
7) You would need to try the microphone on another piece of equipment (recorder or cassette deck, or even an amplifier with a microphone input or mixing desk) after resolving this asymmetry issue.
Best regards.
What do you mean by "USB sound card"? Could you elaborate on this point a bit?
Your microphone, how is it connected today? A little "diagram" detailing the wiring would be helpful, as cables are often a source of issues... Especially when you start messing around with inputs/outputs of different types.
Sometimes, "interference" noises can also come from a lack of grounding of the outlets being used... It is very important to have a grounded connection when using devices of this type... Otherwise, you might experience crackling, hissing, or other noises.
Your microphone, how is it connected today? A little "diagram" detailing the wiring would be helpful, as cables are often a source of issues... Especially when you start messing around with inputs/outputs of different types.
Sometimes, "interference" noises can also come from a lack of grounding of the outlets being used... It is very important to have a grounded connection when using devices of this type... Otherwise, you might experience crackling, hissing, or other noises.
Hello JudgeT,
If you allow me, I'll respond on your thread so that BL4CKK doesn't get too lost and to support, if needed, your request for clarification.
1) Indeed, if there is no sound on the tested USB cards, knowing that we understand "on a 3.5 mm minijack input," this issue must be resolved first.
- either the cards are inert (driver problem)
- or there is a connection issue due to the use of unsuitable adapters
There should indeed be sound, even of poor quality.
2) I started from the assumption of a compromised sound (crackling, electrical clicks, hum) while it is a matter of noise.
The noise comes either from the quality of the audio stages of the PC or from a mismatch of the microphone to the input (respective impedances). I don't think that's the case.
However, when it is stated that the noise disappears on the second input, but the sound becomes weak, it makes me think that this is probably a line input, unsuitable for connecting a microphone, unless using an intermediate mixing table, which wouldn't solve the previously mentioned problem (audio preamp quality and DAC converters of the PC).
This leads me to mention another point. BL4KK doesn't say which software he is using. If we are talking about Audacity, for example, it is probably necessary to set the sampling rate to maximum (128 or 256 kb/s) to increase the bandwidth, the signal-to-noise ratio (cause of noise), the dynamics (difference between loud and soft sounds), and therefore the overall quality.
edit: Moreover, opting for the WAV format (if possible) helps to avoid MP3 compression and thus slightly improve the final result.
These clarifications are, of course, not addressed to JudgeT, whom I doubt masters this, but to the requester, hoping not to misjudge his skills.
In any case, three of us won't be too many to try to solve the problem.
Looking forward to your responses. Best regards.
If you allow me, I'll respond on your thread so that BL4CKK doesn't get too lost and to support, if needed, your request for clarification.
1) Indeed, if there is no sound on the tested USB cards, knowing that we understand "on a 3.5 mm minijack input," this issue must be resolved first.
- either the cards are inert (driver problem)
- or there is a connection issue due to the use of unsuitable adapters
There should indeed be sound, even of poor quality.
2) I started from the assumption of a compromised sound (crackling, electrical clicks, hum) while it is a matter of noise.
The noise comes either from the quality of the audio stages of the PC or from a mismatch of the microphone to the input (respective impedances). I don't think that's the case.
However, when it is stated that the noise disappears on the second input, but the sound becomes weak, it makes me think that this is probably a line input, unsuitable for connecting a microphone, unless using an intermediate mixing table, which wouldn't solve the previously mentioned problem (audio preamp quality and DAC converters of the PC).
This leads me to mention another point. BL4KK doesn't say which software he is using. If we are talking about Audacity, for example, it is probably necessary to set the sampling rate to maximum (128 or 256 kb/s) to increase the bandwidth, the signal-to-noise ratio (cause of noise), the dynamics (difference between loud and soft sounds), and therefore the overall quality.
edit: Moreover, opting for the WAV format (if possible) helps to avoid MP3 compression and thus slightly improve the final result.
These clarifications are, of course, not addressed to JudgeT, whom I doubt masters this, but to the requester, hoping not to misjudge his skills.
In any case, three of us won't be too many to try to solve the problem.
Looking forward to your responses. Best regards.
Thank you for helping me solve my problem, but when I took back my laptop, the mic works great. There is always a background noise when I turn everything up, but otherwise it's perfect as long as I'm not too far from the mic.
However, I still think I will buy a mixer like the Behringer Xenyx 502USB; it has a pretty good price/quality ratio, and from what I've heard, it does a really good job.
I just need to find out why my USB sound cards won't work with my mic, but for now, it's not super important :)
However, I still think I will buy a mixer like the Behringer Xenyx 502USB; it has a pretty good price/quality ratio, and from what I've heard, it does a really good job.
I just need to find out why my USB sound cards won't work with my mic, but for now, it's not super important :)