Noise!!

[patrickryan12]

i'm new at this but so far im using a

behringer xenyx 802 mixer
sterling audio st55 large d condensor mic
mxl 604 small d condensor mic.... to record vocals and acoustic guitar in my bedroom and im getting some noise in the background whenever i record. i think it might be bc of my inexpensive mixer ($60), or the cables($10) i have been using...i also have studio foam on 2 of my walls if that helps. im not trying to spend $1,000's but i just want a good quality sound.

if you have any suggestions or if i need new gear let me know...

if this is a really dumb question sry!

 

[SRR]

Cables can pick up noise, but only if the shield is compromised or a bad cable design from the start. Good cables like 25$ to $40 only really give you added longevity, easier winding, better connectors, etc. So I think you are fine with your $10 cable, I am fine with some $5 cables *shrug*. So your cable is probably not your problem, you have tried two mics, so mics are probably not the problem. That leaves the mixer and what you are feeding the interface/sound card assuming the interface/sound card is up to snuff.

So what sound card/interface are you using? How hot are you trying to record at in your recording software and/or in the "mixer/routing" software of your sound card/interface?

Oh and are you sure its nothing in the room like computer fans, or AC/Heating vents, etc. Cause if you can hear it, the mics can hear it.

 

[patrickryan12]

my mixer is plugged straight into the soundcard my computer came w/...could this be the problem?

also i think my mics are picking up room noise from my computer/external hd/ and my AC....how can i help this?

 

[SRR]

my mixer is plugged straight into the soundcard my computer came w/...could this be the problem?

If its a cheap onboard sound type of thing; gonna have to give that one a: probably YES.

also i think my mics are picking up room noise from my computer/external hd/ and my AC....how can i help this?

Turn off the AC/heating when recording, sweat a little or freeze a little, its the price you pay. As far as computer noise, stick it in a closet or another room, and run mic cables to a room that is free from computer noise. Maybe even run your keyboard, mouse, and monitor cables on extension cables. Do what ever you have to do to get rid of the computer noise, just beware of heat build up if you stick the computer in a tiny overcrowed closet.

Address AC/heating noise and computer noise first, because that can be cheap.

As far as the sound card goes M-Audio's 24/96 or 1010lt are great budget sound cards that should help, 1010lt being the better bargin (brand new pricing on both) since it gives you two more pre-amps (these pres can only be used with dynamic mics) plus 6 more line ins, of which the pres can be switched to line in operation if you need 8 line ins. But also look into used cards, sometimes you can find real bargins on the m-audio stuff, although I think I got my 1010lt for $170 new from www.fullcompass.com so call them and see what thier best price is on those two cards, then compare thier prices to ebay.

 

[patrickryan12]

i dont really have much room to work w/...i wish i could move my mic's to another room but thats out of the question so for now i think i'll just throw a blanket or something over my noisey external hd and pc when im recording.....

oh and thanks for the info.... i looked into the m-audio 2426 soundcard and it sounds like a good investment over my SoundMAX digital audio card my dell pc came w/...

hope this is what im looking for....

 

[SRR]

Well if the mics are truely just picking up computer fan noise changing sound cards isn't gonna do anything for you in THAT area.

But.....

It should give you better analog to digital conversion, wich will probably give you slightly better signal to noise ratio. Also you will get lower latency with the m-audio, over whatever they put in your machine.

Putting a blanket over a computer can increase temps, which is a bad thing, there are plenty of threads around here about reducing computer noise, slow speed fans would be a good start, silent or mostly silent power supplys, all the way up to water cooling. But there ain't nothing like drilling some holes in the walls and putting the computer in the next room over.