Too much static

[seaglass]

Hi everyone,
I received a Behringer C-1U today and tried it out, but there is a recurring problem (with my previous headset mic too) in that there is way too much static. It's really good at capturing voice, but the background noise is untenable even after running Noise Removal on Audacity. (Noise Removal actually lowered the vocal volume and in my opinion it made me sound more like a robot.)

The only reason I can think of is that my computer fan is too loud, or that the mic is too sensitive in some way. I can provide the recordings if necessary. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[kozikowski]

Noise reduction in Audacity 1.2 was frequently not up to the job.

You should be in Audacity 1.3.

Audacity 1.2 is very old and no longer supported,
patched, corrected, or updated. Audacity 1.2 can
be unstable on newer computers.

Download and install the latest Audacity 1.3 from here...

http://audacityteam.org/download/

You can install both audacity 1.2 and Audacity 1.3 on
the same computer, but only use one at a time.

Audacity 1.2 will not open projects made on Audacity 1.3.

If you use MP3 or some of the more modern audio
compression formats, get Lame and FFMpeg software
from the same web site. Do not use older software
or software from other web sites, even though they
may have the same names.


Yes, by all means post some of the work -- before you tried to help it. Just a raw two or three second performance. "Hello" at normal volume and then background noise.

USB microphones can have serious problems with volume relationships. They're trying to smash all the functions of a sound mixer/microphone/digitizer into one small box. Corners are cut.

People underestimate how loud their room is. [What? I can't hear you over the dishwasher!] In our multi-building campus, there are two (2) rooms quiet enough to perform a good quality sound recording. I lucked out. Where I used to work there were no rooms.

By the time you realize you need noise reduction, it's too late.

You can have very noisy and damaged USB connections.

Let's see if we can nail this down. You can post short clips here, or point us to a place where they reside. Don't post MP3 files. They have internal damage. Make a mono clip and Export it as FLAC.

Koz

[steve]

The only reason I can think of is that my computer fan is too loud, or that the mic is too sensitive in some way.

Try reducing the recording level, using the Windows Volume Control panel. (Shortcut: Loudspeaker icon found in the taskbar), then speak closer to the microphone.
You may also find it beneficial to use a "pop filter" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_filter
A pop-filter can easily be made from a wire coat hanger and thin fabric such as hose (ladies stocking), or purchased fairly cheaply.