Airport background noise

[daffy]

I just got a condenser mic, the MXL v67g. I don't know why I did that. It's connected to a MobilePre preamp/interface. I feel it wants to sound better, but something is not letting it (maybe me). I haven't done much recording (one) and I haven't played around with the position or anything, but there is something that I'm hoping will make the recordings better and it's getting rid of the planes getting ready to take off...if there are any. Can you listen to the attachment and tell me if it's normal to have that? Levels show at about -17dB if that means anything.

 

[daffy]

It may help if I actually attached something.

 

[ssscientist]

Hmmmm.

I don't hear any airplanes unless they're metaphorical airplanes and that rush of air is something you think sounds like an airplane.

Shut your windows and turn off the air conditioner and the fan and then see how quiet your microphone can be...


.

 

[TimOBrien]

So you bought a really really sensitive mic and you're using it in an un-soundproofed room and now your wanting to get rid of all the exterior noise???

(Rolls eyes heavenward...)

 

[Dags]

I just got a condenser mic, the MXL v67g. I don't know why I did that. It's connected to a MobilePre preamp/interface. I feel it wants to sound better, but something is not letting it (maybe me). I haven't done much recording (one) and I haven't played around with the position or anything, but there is something that I'm hoping will make the recordings better and it's getting rid of the planes getting ready to take off...if there are any.

Hey Daffy
Welcome to the world of extra-sensitive condenser mics
Yep, they'll pretty much pick up everything that you can hear (and can often pick up things you're not even aware of!)
Have a flick through the 'net for microphone tips & tricks for setup of condenser mics, preamp setup, etc but something you are really going to need is to create a soundproof or acoustically dead space to record in (which TimOBrien has intimated in his post)

Condenser mics are far more sensitive than your bog-standard SM58-type dynamic, and they will pick up computer fan noise, chair squeaks, the fridge running at the other end of the house and next-door's airconditioner compressor.
If you can't renovate the room to be more soundproof, you might be able to make do with creating a 'dead' space in the room by putting dense padded material (mattresses, doonas, thick curtains) around one of the corners of the room where you will set up your microphone, and creating a padded enclosure for the mic to minimise the amount of ambient noise reaching it.
If you can nail some carpet to a few 2m boards and stand them up around the mic it could help as well.

But stopping noise from entering the room is going to be a bit of a problem unless you can put thicker glass into the window(s) and insulation in the ceiling and external wall(s).

There's loads of information scattered around the internet relating to acoustic dampening and soundproofing (and mic techniques) so start using google to search for topics of interest and absorb as much as you can (you wouldn't believe the amount of paper I have lying around the place from things I have printed off to read)

Best of luck!
Dags

 

[daffy]

Thanks all for the responses. ssscientist, they are there! It's the time when they are just sitting around. There's a term for that, but I couldn't tell you.

I understand that condenser mics are very sensitive, but actually, even if the airplanes aren't here, that same noise is still recorded and it's not something that I can hear. I don't mind the mic picking up the slightest sounds that I make or those from far away, but I don't even understand where it's coming from. The A/C is turned off and the computer fans can't be heard. Even if I move the mic far from the computer, the same sound is recorded at the same levels. I'll keep playing around with the environment, but I guess the question is that if I had a soundproof room, should I have something almost inaudidible if I record and don't do anything?

 

[Dags]

I understand that condenser mics are very sensitive, but actually, even if the airplanes aren't here, that same noise is still recorded and it's not something that I can hear. I don't mind the mic picking up the slightest sounds that I make or those from far away, but I don't even understand where it's coming from. The A/C is turned off and the computer fans can't be heard. Even if I move the mic far from the computer, the same sound is recorded at the same levels.

Hmmmm.....could be a problem with trim settings on your inputs. With condenser mics, make sure that the sensitivity pot is turned waaaay down low, and adjust the volume setting.
<break>
OK - Just checked out Mobile pre - it only has one knob for volume.
Strange that the max volume is -17db.
Probably a stupid question, but have you switched on phantom power and are connecting the mic via the XLR input?

Dags

 

[daffy]

Hi Dags, the setup was fine, I turned on the phantom power. What I didn't try was play with the volume and that's when I found out the problem! The noise went down as I lowered the volume. I wasn't recording at very high levels, I still had to add some gain to the tracks, but I guess the interface is having trouble with the mic. Thanks for your help

 

[Dags]

Hi Dags, the setup was fine, I turned on the phantom power. What I didn't try was play with the volume and that's when I found out the problem! The noise went down as I lowered the volume. I wasn't recording at very high levels, I still had to add some gain to the tracks, but I guess the interface is having trouble with the mic. Thanks for your help

Excellent that you've solved the problem!
Have fun experimenting with your new mic.
Just be warned, you will hear your own voice in a way that you probably have never heard it before, and the first time is *really* scary LOL!!

Dags