Fridge from hell

[Secret Clubhous]

I recently got my first condenser mic (Rode NT1A) & yes indeedy I now hear frequencies I didn't know existed. I am just beginning to learn about EQ & identifying various frequencies. One of the most obvious & offensive noises in my little one-room abode (besides the traffic outside) is my fridge. It sounds like a friggin' digeridoo thru a LD condenser! Anyway, can someone tell me what frequency range to cut to fix this?

Of course, I could always use it as a cheap drone module & write everything in Fridge-ian mode...

[Brightside]

It would probably be best to just switch it off when you're tracking with the mic. Get an ice box to keep the essentials (beer) cool if you need it switched off for more than an hour. Failing that, you could record a couple of minutes worth of fridge noise then, when you play it back, set up an EQ on a fairly narrow bandwidth & boost by 15db or whatever. While the track is playing, sweep through the frequencies until the nastiest fridge noises jump out at you. That will let you know where to cut on your recorded tracks. It will probably cut out some 'nice' freqs on the mic track too though, so switching off is the best way to go.
Good luck
Scott

[Secret Clubhous]

Wow, guess I get the "Duh" award...switch it off! Good thing I have 2 coolers...

This probably sounds stupid but how do I do a "sweep thru the frequencies" to identify a particular one? This might be a case for the parametric EQ on n-track.

I am a beginner at this kinda stuff & am still confused about "high shelf" & "low shelf" etc. All I know is the shelf the beer is on.

[bennychico11]

yeah, i'd say turn the fridge off, but even better would be just to find a different room to record in. However, sometimes that's not possible.
Best way to find that annoying fridge hum (at least this is how I do it) is just to put a mic out in room and record a minute or so of the fridge noise. Then while playing it back set up an EQ and increase a peak so that you get a really narrow peak at about 10dB or more. This way that frequency is accentuated really loudly (keep your speakers down low so you don't hurt them or your ears). Slowly move that peak around while listening for the matching frequency of the fridge. You should hear them resonate together once you get it. And then take that frequency out by decreasing the peak and adjusting the Q of it until most of the annoying hum is gone.
Of course, you may run into situations where this also takes out freqs. from your bass instruments. Something you'll have to deal with it. Good luck.

[Brightside]

I've never used the n-track program but yes, you want to be using the parametric EQ for this task. Play the track, fire up your eq then set the Q value (which is the width of the band) so it's narrow - confusingly, a higher Q value means a narrower bandwidth. Apply a 10-15db boost then use the frequency button/knob and slowly turn it through the frequency range until you hear the nasties. As bennychico11 says, when you are cutting the freqs on your recorded tracks - widen the bandwidth a little to take out more 'bad noise'. You will lose some stuff that you don't want too but it's a balancing act. Turning off the fridge when tracking is definetely the way to go though. The n-track manual or help file should give you more info on using EQ and may describe the different types of EQ as well.

Scott

[cracked lid]

You can often get rid of a constant hum with some noise cancelling software. I believe it essentially does autmatically what everyone else is suggesting. My computer fan is a little loud and noise reduction in cool edit does a great job of removing it.

[Tonio]

do yourself a favor and get rid of the fridge, or turn it off. Or record in another room. Don't waste time trying to eq the noise out, you have more important things to worry about.

To include keeping the brewski cold in a cooler!!

[Secret Clubhous]

[QUOTE=Tonio]do yourself a favor and get rid of the fridge, or turn it off. Or record in another room. Don't waste time trying to eq the noise out, you have more important things to worry about.

Wish I had another room! I'm in an efficiency apt. here.

Now to deal with the computer fans, which must have been taken from a Boeing 747. Gonna get some quieter ones installed, as turning it off is not an option. :

[tollbooth]

duvets!

lots of em

most cheapo bedding shops sell em for a few quid (oh i'm so english!) each. i bought a stack for the studio.

okay FIRERISK! make sure you don't block and vents etc but you should be able to cover things like computers and yay, even el fridgidaire without too much worry - then hang another couple round where you record from two mic stands - instant vocal booth!

one of the UK studio mags carried an article on april fools day about a company doing duvet covers that were printed with studio foam designs on the other side, so you could sleep under them and then use them in the studio without looking like a cheapskate!

have fun

paul d