Cheap easy way to kill mic buzz?

powe6563 · #1 April 13th, 2006

I use a Sony ECM-MS907 mic to record my vocals and acoustic guitar. I plug it directly into the soundcard's (Soundmax Integrated Digital Audio) mic-in on my computer. It records in sterio using Audacity and can pick up the smallest sounds, but there's a hum or buzz that it's getting behing the sound. It's like interference or something, but I can't get it to go away. It's not picking it up through the mic it's comming from the connection or the computer somehow. Any ideas how to filter it out w/o buying expensive preamps or whatever?

WernHalen · #2 April 13th, 2006

You could try to shield your power supply... I dont know how but you could try... or you could buy a shielded power supply. i know it is expensive but it might be worth the money...

It might also be something simple like the gain on your mic which might be too high... try turning the gain lower. you dont particularly want the mic to pic up every thing happening in the neighbourhood.

powe6563 · #3 April 13th, 2006

Ok, do you mean the computer's power supply? The mic is phantom powered so I don't know how I would do that. Also the only controls I have for the mic are the soundcard's mic volume control in the main audio properties and Audacity's input volume which controls whatever input you choose to record from (line in, mic, speakers,CD...). How would I adjust the gain and how should I have the levels set? Sound card all the way up ans Audacity low or vice-versa? Sorry for all the questions, I'm normally tech inclined, but recording and sound levels are a new medium for me.

Rockerbob · #4 April 13th, 2006

Filtering the noise out is not a good solution. You need to try to find the cause and eliminate it. Without having all the details I would guess it's a miss-match between the mics output and the sound card input. Most sound cards, the cheap ones anyway, have only High imp. line level inputs. Mics are most often Low imp. and much lower level than line level. The bottom line is you need an input made for mics.

MCH · #5 April 13th, 2006

The best solution for the buzz, hum is get a proper musical soundcard. I went from onboard AC97 (buzzy and hum) to the M-Audio 2496 soundcard and it was a huge difference. I also have a pair of good condenser mics, Audio Technica.
The recording chain is very quiet now, no electronic anomallies. Just need to tighten up the playing now.

powe6563 · #6 April 13th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCH

The best solution for the buzz, hum is get a proper musical soundcard. I went from onboard AC97 (buzzy and hum) to the M-Audio 2496 soundcard and it was a huge difference.

How much was that and where can I get one. Is it external or do you install it inside the pc?

powe6563 · #7 April 13th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockerbob

The bottom line is you need an input made for mics.

So you mean a better soundcard too, right?

MCH · #8 April 13th, 2006

The M-Audio installs internally into your computer in a PCI slot. With windows XP, upon installation it superceded my onboard Realtek AC97. I didn't have to go in and disable the onboard sound.
I don't know where you are situated but a good music store or cybermusic outlet will carry them. They are very popular and highly reviewed. I paid $150 CAD for mine. Worth every penny. Even playing CDs on my computer sounds better.

Do a Google search for M-Audio 2496 and you'll get a lot of hits to explore.