intermittent background noise

[kozikowski]

In its cardioid configuration, the Yeti Pro has a dead spot directly behind the microphone (I know this is the wrong microphone type).



You could arrange the computer directly behind the mic while you're performing.



You'll have to experiment for best noise reduction. Also, the heavy blanket under everything to prevent reflections and echoes.

Koz

[Quantum]

Many thanks Koz

ha,ha,ha......no, I'm not in the US.

I'm in Melbourne Australia. I live here and I record here. Mains voltage in Australia is 230V 50Hz if that's what you are referring to.

My PC fan is a good tip, I will investigate it. I have a large column which could get noisy. What happens is that on one day, I could be recording various segments of the same production in time intervals, say one in the morning - and it is clear, and then the next few hours later - and lo and behold there is noise. I also need to check my fridge as the low hum which is not very audible could be recoded by the mic.

If there is no ambient noise in the room, I would expect no detectable difference between mic off and mic on.

I will keep testing and will try your suggested fixes.

many thanks
Anna

PS I understand re post moderation. No hurt feelings

[Quantum]

thank you Steve as well for your feedback

thanks
Anna

[Quantum]

re cardioid configuration - that's exactly what I do. Please see the photo. During the recording, I pull the mic closer to me,so it's about 50-60 cm from the tower facing it with its dead spot.

I still think that's my PC fan.....will need to test. I also like your idea of a blanket

BTW I notice on your both photos you use a screen pop filters. I was initially using a screen one but found it too clunky and obstructing my view, so switched to a socket. Which one in your view is better for noise reduction?

my recording spot-3.jpg (193.58 KiB) Viewed 637 times

[kozikowski]

Which one in your view is better for noise reduction?

Neither one if I understand you're meaning. The purpose of both is to prevent large, slow movements of air typical of P popping or wind noise. They are both intended to be acoustically transparent while they're doing it.

The tennis racket does it through the limited ability to stretch. There's a second type which is a solid screen.



That one works by the inability to pass wind through its little holes. Neither is good for field work where wind can come from any direction. There, the foam ball or other covering reins.



The foam ball can indirectly affect motor noise. It will allow you to get closer to the microphone without distortion. You got louder but the motor didn't. It's not filtering out the motor.

You can use the microphone to help you find the noise. Take it from its mount, remove the foam and start a recording. Turn it so it faces different parts of the room, announce as you go.

"This is pointed to the fridge."

The USB cable is going to restrict your ability to move around. I did it with a conventional microphone and a long cable. A piece of my musical keyboard across the room was making hummmmm noise.

You can also do it in real time by listening to the system while you go. That can be really fast because you don't have to stop and play the recording.

Not having good soundproofing can cause problems.

"This is the fridge noise bouncing from the hard walls."

Koz

[Quantum]

I also would like to add that I run my podcast audios through Auphonic - an excellent online levelling service, which includes noise reduction. However, once I have mixed my voice with music to one mp3 file, even the Auphonic's algorythm can't remove the noise embedded in the mic input.

If you'd like to hear the finished product to spot the difference, please visit my website https://www.quantumliving.com.au/podcasts and listen to the episode QL015 (New Year New You Part 2). The first segment is clear, the second one which starts at 14'05" still has some audible noise to my chagrin - I took the clip from there.

(and if you like my podcast - subscribe and enjoy! it's free! )

[Quantum]

Thanks Koz.

Once I have indentified and eliminated this pesky noise, I will post my findings and solution here.

and of course, a soudproof recording booth is in my plans

[kozikowski]

once I have mixed my voice with music to one mp3

Noise reduction systems hate music.

"That sound is either a General Electric sump pump motor, or a cello G string."

Koz

[Quantum]

Steve

You mentioned "dither noise". In your wiki it says "The noise itself isn't audible unless heavily or repeatedly amplified" - so I should not be hearing it at all....(?)

That stronger background noise I was getting is now gone, but there is still some white noise when I turn the mic on, and ideally there shouldn't be any difference between mic off and on...

I don't hear any white noise in the podcasts I listen to, and I doubt that they are all recorded in the soundproof booths.....

Any other suggestions?

I can see that this thread has been viewed 114 times - does anyone use Yeti Blue Pro with Audacity and could share their views here?

Koz
yes. I know, that's why I want to have my recordings without any noise at all so that I don't have to use noise reduction...

[Quantum]

I FOUND THE CAUSE OF THIS NOISE!!!!!!

of course. I have 2 USB ports at the front of my PC column.

in one, I had my mic plugged in and in the second one.......I had my external hard drive...... - you can see it on the photo.....and when just now Audacity crashed (yeap), I removed BOTH cables and then it hit me....- IT WAS THE HARD DRIVE MAKING THIS HUMMING NOISE!!

I quickly did a test recording without it being plugged in - and THE NOISE IS GONE!!!!!

I used to have this hard drive plugged in or not - and did not correlate this with the recordings until now.......

so - for anyone out there having some strange background noise - unplug any other devices you don't use for the recording from your computer.....

FINALLY