[SEEMINGLY SOLVED!] Background noise overwhelming recordings

Llewod · Post by **Llewod** » December 19th, 2008, 5:21 am

Hello

Since I started recording I have endured a little noise in the background of my recordings. Recently however it has gone to a new level;
http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/xx/Problem_Profile_HJD.mp3

I assumed at first that it was the microphone and so purchased a second. The noise remains.

I am using Vista and have downloaded the current beta version of audacity. The settings for my microphone input are 10dB increase and record at 100%.

Any help, recommendations etc would be very very gratefully received. Indeed, even if you have the brains to work out what noise cleaning levels might help I would be ecstatic.

Starlite · Post by **Starlite** » December 19th, 2008, 5:26 am

Is it a USB mic? If so, unplug all USB peripherals plugged right next to it. I found it could cause a similar type of interference when plugged next to each other.

I had a similar sound when my webcam was plugged in beside my mic.

Also, Florescent lights can create that kind of buzz...

Esther

Llewod · Post by **Llewod** » December 19th, 2008, 5:31 am

Hi Esther,

It's a jack mic, no lights were on, and I only have the energy feeder plugged in. The webcam is integral - as I am using a laptop thing.

*sob*

Starlite · Post by **Starlite** » December 19th, 2008, 6:00 am

Ah try running the laptop off battery..

Also analog mics do not produce the best quality sound to begin with.

Esther

Llewod · Post by **Llewod** » December 19th, 2008, 6:17 am

Yippie - no food = no noise.
Thanks Starlite. The next plan is to get a digital one; but easy steps and all that!
X

Starlite · Post by **Starlite** » December 19th, 2008, 7:00 am

I don't use a laptop myself but have read in other discussions that the power supply can cause that kind of interference.

Esther

PaulW · Post by **PaulW** » December 19th, 2008, 9:47 am

One other thing I noticed in your test is that the waveform looks like it's offset from the zero line, althogh that may just be a trick of the shape of the noise waveform. If your waveform of the "no-noise" recording is offset, you may want to try using the Normalize effect with only the "Remove DC offset" checkbox checked immediately after saving your recording and BEFORE you do any other editing. At least, as long as the recordings are offset.

Llewod · Post by **Llewod** » December 19th, 2008, 2:03 pm

PaulW wrote:One other thing I noticed in your test is that the waveform looks like it's offset from the zero line, althogh that may just be a trick of the shape of the noise waveform. If your waveform of the "no-noise" recording is offset, you may want to try using the Normalize effect with only the "Remove DC offset" checkbox checked immediately after saving your recording and BEFORE you do any other editing. At least, as long as the recordings are offset.

I think I might be able to do that (step by step is always my preferred way!). Will have a go later. Cheers.