mics and computer noise

[jcav]

Is it possible to record acoustic guitar with a condenser mic, with the computer in the same room and not pick up the computer noise?

Is there a way to truly isolate the the mic or the computer without a separate room?

thanks,

jay

 

[gecko zzed]

The short answer is 'no'.

The longer answer is 'it depends'.

How noisy is your computer? If it is co-located with where you record (which is my situation), you can take steps to reduce its inherent noise. The three biggest sources of noise are: CPU fan, power supply fan and hard drive noise. There are ultra-quiet fans available that you can instal as well as quieter hard drive mountings. Or you can build a deadening enclosure around the box.

You can minimise the amount of PC noise picked up by picking your recording position, e.g. guitar in the room facing the PC, mike facing away from it.

You can minimise the noise with closer mike placement, though this may not gegerate the recorded sound you were seeking.