Should Blue Yeti be silent?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jshailes
  • Start date Start date
J

jshailes

New member
I'm a complete newbie when it comes to audio recording so apologies if I'm asking an obvious question! I've just purchased a Blue Yeti microphone, primarily for recording webcasts, and am concerned that the slight high pitched background fuzzyness shouldn't be there. Is this a valid concern?

Things I've tried so far:

- With the mic connected to my desktop, I've moved the mic closer and further away from the pc but there seems to be no difference.

- Changed USB port the mic is connected to, no difference.

- Connected mic to laptop, no difference.

Once again this is probably obvious but the problem is much worse when the volume is turned up high.

I read on another forum that someone suggested connecting to a powered USB hub so maybe this is worth a try.

I've seen a frequency analysis done with audacity to show where in the spectrum the noise is, would this be useful for identifying the source?

Lastly but not leastly, can someone confirm if it is/isn't reasonable to have any amount of noise from the mic?

Many thanks,

James
 
This kind of thing is common on laptops (unplug the power supply) but it's a little more worrying when you get it on a desktop setup.

This may sound stupid but stranger things have happened; Make sure it's not a real noise in your room!
Really, not trying to insult you but whine from fridges, monitors, lighting, AC etc can go unnoticed until you plug in a mic.

Worth a shot. :p
 
Yeah I did wonder if it could be a noise in the room, hence moving the mic nearer to the computer to see if it exacerbated it. I'll plug it in to laptop and walk around the room to check.

Is it safe to plug it in to a USB wall socket? If so I could unplug all electricals in a quieter room and connect the mic to the mains..
 
Ah, I see what you're thinking.
Those USB wall sockets are designed to provide the standard 5v so I presume it'd be safe.
I don't expect the microphone would work though. The chances are it needs to see a computer with drivers.
 
You said you're a complete newbie, would you describe the sound as hiss? A certain amount of hiss is completely normal. Not good, but not unexpected, especially in a fairly low end microphone with preamp and A/D conversion built in. The hiss should be negligible relative to how loud your voice, or anything you're recording comes through, provided you arent talking quietly from across the room though
 
Hiss could well be the right word to describe it. In line with what you suggest, I find the problem is exacerbated when I'm far from the mic (up to 2 meters when I'm at the whiteboard) and have to turn the volume up. I also have the gain turned down low in order for the noise of the computer not to be picked up.

Maybe I'm using the wrong tool for the job and should invest in a high quality headset.
 
Oh wow. yeah.
If that's the kind of scenario you're using it in I'd expect audible hiss due to the high gain required, and overwhelming ambient noise.
There could be more to this and maybe there's a legitimate issue, but I'd put my bet on wrong tool for the job at the minute.

Those things are really designed for people are going to be talking at 1"-12" distance.
 
Yeah, 2 meters is pretty far off for this sort of application, talkover mics are usually within ~2 feet. What you are getting through that is going to sound more like the room you're in than your voice too at a guess.

A headset would work better, but if you're doing video too a decent lapel mic would be less intrusive

I ~think~ you could also use a shotgun mic, but someone else'll have to come in with the pros and cons of that

Edit: There's no warning when someone else has posted on quick reply >.<
 
Ok thanks. I've attached an mp3. I'd really appreciate it if someone could listen and tell me if it's to be expected
 

Attachments

Oh, ok. That's not normal.
I think that's either interference from the computer/nearby equipment, or some kind of noisy power issue....idk.
Does it go away if you use the laptop running on battery power only? (Kill the PSU at the mains)

I've read about people using wall powered hubs, USB power isolators, and all sorts to get around this.

I made up a USB cable that carries data only and leaves the 5v and gnd trailing for connection to an external supply, but that's not much use to you, is it. :p
 
Ok thanks for the advice, I probably should've done more research before buying! I just watched a youtube video of someone walking the other side of the room with the gain turned up and it still working well, and thought wow that looks better than having to wear a headset!

I think I'll go for the headset rather than the label mic as I think I'd get more use out of it. Do you have any recommendations of where to start looking?

Also, am I right in assuming the audio quality will never be as good with a headset compared to a mic? What about if it was to be wireless?

Sorry for all the questions!
 
jshailes said:
Sorry for all the questions!
Click to expand...

Ha! No problem. Sorry, I kinda sent you off in the wrong direction at the start there.
It seemed like it'd just be 'the usual' problems. :p

I'd try to get this whine sorted out first because the chances are you're gonna get the same thing with any USB mic or interface.
 
jshailes said:
Also, am I right in assuming the audio quality will never be as good with a headset compared to a mic? What about if it was to be wireless?

Sorry for all the questions!
Click to expand...

For speech? I think a label or headset would be adequate for most. Lapel would be the preference. Think of speakers in churches, colleges etc.
Wireless, eh? How about a lapel mic and portable recorder in your pocket? Zoom or something like that?
That would cut down room ambience, remove issues with mobility, and definitely rule out noisy laptop issues.

Just copy from SD to PC when you're done.

I'm now wondering if they make lapel mics for smartphones...
 
Sorry I've been a while coming back, been doing a few tests.

Desktop + Room 1 = Bad
Laptop + Room 1 = Bad
Laptop + Room 2 = Better

Obviously there's something in room 1 causing it. All of the electrical equipment is by the Desktop PC, maybe if I switch things off one by one I'll find it. The computer does make a bit of a hum with all the fans etc but moving the mic closer to it doesn't make the problem any worse. I'm guessing that makes it more likely to be interference? What are common causes for interference? screens? wireless cards?
 
jshailes said:
Obviously there's something in room 1 causing it. All of the electrical equipment is by the Desktop PC, maybe if I switch things off one by one I'll find it. The computer does make a bit of a hum with all the fans etc but moving the mic closer to it doesn't make the problem any worse. I'm guessing that makes it more likely to be interference? What are common causes for interference? screens? wireless cards?
Click to expand...

Yeah, what you're hearing isn't acoustic. Ie, it's not something you could hear with your ears in the room.
What happened with the laptop on battery power?

I guess it's to do with the power the mic is getting, but I'm not an expert by any stretch.
 
well .... that's not hiss ..... sounds like it's picking up something in the room .... maybe a fan?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top