How can I get rid of my computer noise?

[allthewhile]

Howdy guys. I just went and spent a healthy chunk of change on an m-audio nova mic and a eurorack mixer. My sound quality has improved majorly, but I can't seem to get rid of the sound of my computer in the background. Is there anyway to take care of this? Is this the mic? Is this my setup?

mic -> mixer -> line in on my sound card

here's a sample mp3 I recorded to show you how it sounds.

http://www.franklinfamily.org/backgroundnoise.mp3

What can I do to get rid of this noise?

-jayson

[ptfigg]

You need an audio gate. There are some nice deals around for compressor/gate combo pieces for $100.

-paul
The.Point

[allthewhile]

thanks paul. You're the audio guru! Do you have any personal suggestions for combos?

-jayson

[ptfigg]

Jay,

email me...I'll help you out.

-paul.

[Craig]

An audio gate will help eliminate the noise between words, but it's loud enough in your sample that it will still affect the quality of your voice. Here are a few basic tips. Use as many of them as possible:

1. Move the mic as far away from the computer as possible.
2. Move the computer to the floor so the desk is between the computer and the mic if possible.
3. Hang or drape a heavy blanket between the computer and the mic (don't cut off air circulation around the computer if you do this).

Craig

[ptfigg]

Craig,

You offer some good tips. However, with a gate confugured properly, it will eliminate ambient noise as well. I have a very load G5 right next to my Mic. If you listen to my audio, the G5 fans a almost completly silenced. Try these gate parameters: Threshold '0' Ratio 1.3:1

-paul.

The.Point.

[Craig]

Really? So even the sound of the fan mixed in with his voice will be removed? That would be very cool.

Craig

[ptfigg]

Craig,

yes and the key is of course proper parameters. If the gate is not dialed in correctly, it will have an adverse affect on dialog output.

-paul.

[robulon]

i use audacity noise removal filter. basically you record a few seconds of the ambient background noise (i.e. the computer) and then apply it to the voice track, i use one notch before lowest so it doesnt affect the voice too much. obviously, this isnt going to work for live podcasts :> ok, ill shut up now :)

Rob

[Craig]

yes and the key is of course proper parameters. If the gate is not dialed in correctly, it will have an adverse affect on dialog output.
Well then I stand corrected. My understanding of a gate was that it simply cut of the input until it reached a certain level.

Still, shouldn't your goal be to start with as clean a signal as possible? Ideally you don't want to have to use a gate in the first place.

Craig

[jeffoest]

Good advice here but I'm with Craig - a pure noise gate correctly configured can only get rid of the noise between your words or phrases. And ACTUALLY the result CAN be pretty strange sounding if the background noise is too loud (i.e. the audio goes from really quiet to voice and noise).

Your best bet is to get some longer mic cords and either move the computer or your vocal area in separate rooms if possible. Also a couple of moving blankets ($12 at Uhaul) draped over the computer can really help but you'll still here it. Just make sure your not stuffing up the fan!

[jawbone]

But isn't the hum kind of the charm of the podcast? It's not supposed to be professional. That's what makes this medium special.

Just a thought.

[jeffoest]

From what I have heard - I think you are absolutely right - a bit of hum is part of the 'amateur' charm!

But a little moving blanket damping can avoid sounding too extreme....

[allthewhile]

I must not have the right equipment. I mean, there's a marked difference between the sound quality that I can get, and what paul from the point or michael from reel reviews can get. Listen closely to Reel Reviews, there's no ambient sound: NONE! It's so annoying!

I'm going to get an audio gate / compressor and try better next time.

I'm also going to clear out my closet, buy extensions for every chord coming out of my computer, put it on wheels, and hide it in my closet!

Listen to my latest podcast to hear the extreme level of humming during audio recording:

http://www.catholicpodsquad.com/index.php/2005/03/07/3-07-05-catholic-cast/

[allthewhile]

I'm sorta obsessed with sound right now. Maybe I'll lose that obsession, but I'd like to see what I can do!

[elle]

I must not have the right equipment. I mean, there's a marked difference between the sound quality that I can get, and what paul from the point or michael from reel reviews can get. Listen closely to Reel Reviews, there's no ambient sound: NONE! It's so annoying!



Here's a few suggestions:

Experiment with mic positioning - it can make a big difference. Closer to you minimizes room sound, further away emphasizes it.

If you have a mixer, roll off the bass - that's where a lot of the hum comes in.

Get an extension chord for the mic and get it away from your computer, or do the same for your monitor, mouse & keyboard.

[Craig]

Listen closely to Reel Reviews, there's no ambient sound: NONE! It's so annoying!
I've been in Michael Geohagen's recording space...it's a custom-designed, sound-proofed home theatre he designed his home around! He also records to an external recorder so there isn't a computer anywhere near him when he records.

I'm also going to clear out my closet, buy extensions for every cord coming out of my computer, put it on wheels, and hide it in my closet!
Just get a long mic cord and put yourself in the closet. Seriously. With clothes. The clothes will deaden any echos and you'll end up with exactly what you're looking/listening for.

Craig

[allthewhile]

I'm going to be redoing a room in my basement, so I guess I'll just soundproof it. Anyone know where I can get some of those fancy soundproof panels real cheap?

[jeffoest]

Soundproofing is expensive and probably unneccesary unless your broadcast area is next to a train or highway ;-). I would highly recommend that you do the cheap and easy first - moving blankets over the computer and/or separation by wood (a door - lol) of computer and microphone... This is a case where Pareto's rule really does apply - 80% of the benefit for 20% of the cost.... (those numbers aren't exact - but you get the point...)

[Craig]

I agree...you're better off investing the money you'd spend on fancy soundproofing material on better equipment (or just saving it). Surround yourself with moving blankets and you're set.

Craig

[Dailysonic_Adam]

another easy fix is to put music underneath your vocals... the noise sorta disappears.
-a

[Squozen]

Nobody's mentioned choosing the right type of microphone yet. Most cheap mics are omni mics, that is, they pick up sound pretty equally from all directions. You want a decent mic that has a cardioid or hypercardioid response pattern, and then position yourself and the microphone so that the noise source (ie, PC) is in a null area.

It sounds from your comment that you're using a noisy desktop PC - I record using a PowerBook and can record with it sitting right next to me without problems as it's essentially silent. Maybe you should look at picking up a cheap old Mac laptop on eBay? :wink:

[allthewhile]

I have an m-audio nova mic, which is a decent cardoroid mic. 100bucks. It should work well. The p.c. is very noisy; it's a gaming rig.

-jayson