Can't Get Rid of BM-800 Microphone Static ("White") Noise

[LyricGemVA]

Hey everyone!

I've been wanting to record voice overs using my new BM-800 microphone in a Windows 10 computer.

I need help on how to remove static noise (or if you prefer to call it 'white noise') when I record. I've tried using the Noise Reduction feature in Audacity version 2.1. 2., and I did someone's step-by-step instructions on how to get rid of the static noise. What I did was I selected the part where I want Audacity to recognize as noise, selected the entire recording and the rest of the remaining steps (like the noise reduction settings and all that). I expected it to remove the noise completely because I followed the instructions correctly, but it ended up distorting the audio part when I speak. I sound robotic or like I'm underwater.

The reason why I'm not using a 48v phantom power amplifier is because I have discovered that it doesn't need it. I got no problems with the volume of the recording or any problem at all (well, except the static of course). Do you think I should get the amp anyway to get rid of the noise?

Here's an audio sample:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i0izfkv1bm9ee ... e.wav?dl=0

Is there a way to do this without making my voice sound robotic or should I just know how to get rid or the static on my microphone instead? Please help!
Thank you so much.

[kozikowski]

Static and white noise are not quite the same thing. Static is random crackling like frying a steak, White or pink noise is more like rain in the trees. But you shouldn't have either one.

It sounds like pink noise.

Audacity Noise Reduction used to be called Noise Removal. It was changed because too many people expected it to remove noise...to zero. Neither tool will do that. They are intended to reduce gentle background noises like air conditioning or motor hum from your show. If the noise is high enough, Noise Reduction will start to damage the show. High background noise is a good way to kill a show. That and many background sounds like traffic, TVs and radios can't be removed at all.

I'm not sure where to go with this. The BM-800 is a 48 volt condenser microphone trying to run from the 5 volts in a soundcard.

The search hit I read didn't say it was compatible with Windows 10.

Mainly Compatible with: Linux,Mac OS,Windows 2000,Windows 7,Windows 98,Windows 98SE,Windows ME,Windows Vista,Windows XP

The posting I saw claimed two different technical standards for the same microphone.

I'm not sure it will ever deliver good quality sound even if you did add the 48 volt supply. The 48 volt device is not an amplifier. It's just a way to supply power to the microphone by plugging into the wall instead of getting power from the soundcard. They say multiple times in the posting to make sure you have strong enough power for the microphone to run.

Condenser microphones have to be powered somehow. Computer condenser microphones run from the 5 volts in the soundcard.



Larger condenser microphones run from the 48 volts supplied from a sound mixer or sound desk. I have a tiny condenser microphone where I have to plug in a battery.

Screen Shot 2017-03-01 at 6.37.06 AM.png (55.64 KiB) Viewed 13979 times

I wouldn't be surprised if buying the 48 volt phantom power supply doubles the cost of the microphone. That's why it doesn't come with one.

Do you have an iPhone?

Koz

[DVDdoug]

The reason why I'm not using a 48v phantom power amplifier is because I have discovered that it doesn't need it.

I couldn't find the specs for your mic, but I assume it has an XLR connector? The balanced (3-wire) microphone should be connected to a mixer or interface with the proper XLR microphone input. The mixer/interface will also provide phantom power.

The mic input on a computer is unbalanced (2-wire) and is "wrong" for a studio or stage mic.* And, the mic preamps built into computers are usually poor quality (noisy).

But, I don't know if a proper interface would cure your noise issues... The electronics in the mic might be noisy.

but it ended up distorting the audio part when I speak. I sound robotic or like I'm underwater.

That can happen. Noise reduction works best when you have a constant, low-level, background noise... It works best when you don't really need it. Pros still record in soundproof studios with good equipment because there is only so much you can do with software.


P.S.
An alternative is a "studio style" USB mic (AKA a podcast mic). These have a preamp & soundcard/interface built-in so your existing soundcard is bypassed. But, some people complain of noise with some of the popular podcast mics too. (I think the noise comes-in from the computer's USB power.)



* Like I said, I couldn't find the specs for your mic. It may have an unbalanced connection (even with the 3-wire connector) and it may work with the 5V power from the computer.

[cyrano]

The less-than-twenty-bucks (Neewer?) BM-800 is a bit of a hype right now. It's a simple 15 mm electret pretending to be a large diaphragm condenser and as such, works with 5V pip power too.

Only, SN ratio and headroom are a bit worse on 5V than on 48V. And these mics are fairly noisy to start with.

Add up a noisy mic, low recording level, a noisy 5V computer power supply, with digital gain and you end up with a very noisy recording.

[kozikowski]

Do you have an iPhone?

Koz