Eliminate interference when recording on a microphone - how to do noise reduction and other ways to improve sound

Noise in the microphone interferes with conversations with interlocutors. The latter, due to the loud background, have to constantly ask you about, What did you say. Video recording becomes impossible due to poor sound quality. However, in some cases, the problem can be fixed without replacing devices., since you can remove the noise in the microphone with the help of repair, correct settings and third-party programs.

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Microphone Types and Main Causes of Noises

Microphones are divided into condenser, electret and dynamic. The latter are often found in budget models..

They are relatively inexpensive and readily available.. Condenser units provide clearer sound for recording and calls, but only in the absence of extraneous noise in the room.

Capacitor

Capacitor devices, thanks to the design features, capable of transmitting the recording in the most detailed and complete manner. They have a built-in metal membrane made of plates., which fluctuates under the influence of air currents. Thanks to it, the sound signal is converted into electromagnetic. Most condenser microphones have a preamp., which helps to make the voice louder. Additionally, manufacturers have built-in noise reduction function.

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Condenser microphones are highly sensitive. They deliver rich and detailed sound., adjust quickly to sudden fluctuations, cover the entire range of signals.

However, such devices easily pick up external noise., which may result in poor recording quality..

Read also

Choosing studio headphones for recording and mixing

electret

Electret microphones are a type of condenser. They have all the inherent "progenitor" advantages and disadvantages. However, the membrane in such devices is thinner., Therefore, they pick up extraneous signals more strongly., which exacerbates the problem.

Dynamic

Operation of dynamic microphones, as well as capacitor, based on membrane vibrations. She picks up sound waves, that drive the coil, located in a magnetic field. The result is an alternating current, which is then transmitted via cable. The resulting electromagnetic oscillations describe waves, passing their amplitude, phase and frequency.

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Dynamic microphones have a simple design. They are durable, well tolerate the negative impact of the external environment, rarely break down. Dynamic instruments have a limited frequency range, which can be an advantage for domestic use: equipment will not pick up extraneous signals.

However, such devices do not respond well to changes in sound pressure., which can lead to noise and distortion.

Additional causes of noise when recording or talking

The microphone may be noisy for the following reasons:

Bad contact. You need to check not only USB ports and sockets, but also the sound card. Oxidation sites are sometimes found at the junctions.
Poor call quality. If Internet packets are lost, the recording "stutters". There may be a hiss. Sometimes interlocutors complain about, that the voice becomes slurred, similar to robotic. To rule out this cause, check the quality of the connection with the Ping program and measure the speed. Sometimes, to fix the problem, it is enough to restart the router and PC..
Using outdated drivers. The software facilitates the correct interaction of the operating system and hardware. If the driver is missing or out of date, the microphone will be unstable. Often there is a complete lack of signal.
Electromagnetic waves. They are emitted by third party devices.. The waves are disturbing. To fix the situation, move electrical appliances as far away as possible. In rare cases, noise can even occur due to the system unit.
Wrong settings. If you have unsuccessfully experimented with system parameters, the microphone will make noise in all programs: in messengers, when recording video, in browsers etc.. e. If there are problems with only one application, it is recommended to check its internal settings.

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Additionally, the quality of the device matters., since the microphone can flicker if the assembly is poor, budget components, etc.. e. Manufacturers reduce product costs by simplifying designs, therefore it is recommended to buy models of the middle price segment or more.

Damaged cable

If the cable is damaged, the microphone will at best work with noise and periodically fade, at worst, it will completely fail.. In most cases, the integrity of the wire is broken in the area, which often bends. for example, near a plug or junction. Sometimes the problem area can be found by visual inspection., however, it is often necessary to ring the cable. It can be done, For example, with light bulb and battery.

If the cause of the breakdown was a damaged wire, it can be partially replaced, using a soldering iron.

Noises of household appliances

Household appliances are not only a source of electromagnetic waves, but also noise. for example, the volume of the washing machine can reach 89 dB. Noise level during quiet conversation - 50 dB. Regardless of the settings and quality of the microphone, a loud sound will be transmitted to the interlocutor. The only way to solve this problem is to change the location.

Automatic noise diagnostics

Windows operating system 10 able to independently determine the cause of noise and eliminate them. However, this only works in case of incorrect settings and outdated drivers.. The OS is not able to fix mechanical problems or remove the impact of adverse external factors.

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Types of noise

Depending on their nature and source, noise is divided into impulse, wide- and narrowband. Additionally emit electrical and ambient sounds. In the fight against insufficient recording quality, it is desirable to distinguish between these varieties, to choose the right way to deal with noise.

Broadband

Broadband noise is also called continuous. It has a wide frequency range. This category includes, For example, hiss and buzz.

Narrowband

Narrowband noise has a relatively small frequency range. The sound level in this case is constant. Narrowband noise is most often caused by poorly shielded cables., connecting microphones, or insufficiently good grounding. Narrowband noise refers to any unwanted signal, which persists for a long time.

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Pulse

Any sharp signals are called impulsive.. for example, pops and clicks. They have a high frequency and low duration..

Electric

The source of electrical noise is the equipment itself, which is used to record. This category includes, For example, signals, due to poor internet connection. Electrical noise is often caused by the proximity of the microphone to third-party cables or improper equipment connections..

From the environment

Noise from the environment is most often irregular. This group includes rain sounds, transport movements, extraneous conversations, etc.. e. Noise reduction or a change of location will help to make the voice clearer.

Ways to eliminate noise in the microphone

The main ways to fix the problem include providing your own power source for the computer, installing or updating drivers, changing the PC operating mode or using the sound manager. Start with the latest 3 options, etc. to. in most cases they are the most accessible. If the noise occurs only in 1 program, open internal options, experiment with volume, sensitivity and noise reduction.

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Separate power supply

If possible, it is recommended not to use extension cords to connect multiple devices.. Household appliances transmit interference to the electrical network, which can degrade the sound quality. It is advisable to connect the PC to a separate outlet. If there is no such possibility, use a special network filter.

Driver update

To update drivers through the built-in OS tools, go to the device manager. Find your microphone in the list, right click and select "Properties". Go to the "Driver" tab. Click on the "Update" button. If that didn't help, go to the microphone manufacturer's website and download the driver from there. It is strongly not recommended to download files from third-party resources or use other automatic update software.. This can cause viruses to infect your PC..

Selecting a different laptop power mode

Economy mode leads to lack of power. This causes interference. To switch mode, open control panel, select the "Power Options" section and click on the item "Create a scheme". Check the box next to "High Performance".

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Setting up the sound manager

To open the dispatcher, click on the speaker icon in the taskbar. It is located in the lower right corner of the screen.. Click on "Open Sound Options". Перейдите в свойства микрофона во вкладке «Запись». В разделе «Улучшения» поставьте галочку напротив пункта «Подавление шума», если опция отключена. Это немного снизит общую громкость, но улучшит качество аудио.

Microphone setup

Если причина появления шума носит программный характер, попробуйте поэкспериментировать с настройками микрофона. Начните с системных, особенно если проблемы возникают в разных приложениях. Попробуйте уменьшить усиление, отключить или включить встроенные улучшения, а также изменить формат.

Gain reduction

В панели управления выберите категорию «Звук». Откройте параметры записи. Разверните свойства используемого микрофона. Перейдите во вкладку «Уровни» и понизьте значение усиление до 0-10 dB.

Built-in enhancements management

В свойствах микрофона выберите вкладку «Улучшения». Попробуйте включить подавление эхо и шума. Остальные эффекты лучше выключить, etc. to. они часто работают некорректно.

Изображение freestocks-photos с сайта Pixabay.com.

Change the format

В свойствах микрофона откройте вкладку «Дополнительно». Выберите другой формат по умолчанию. Параллельно проверяйте результаты. Оставьте тот вариант, который вам больше нравится.

Programs to eliminate microphone noise when using

Существуют специальные программы, которые в автоматическом режиме устраняют лишние шумы. Их можно использовать как для редактирования видео, так и во время разговоров. Наиболее распространенные приложения – SoundSoap и Krisp.

Crisp

Программа улучшает качество звука во время записи. Интерфейс дружелюбный, поэтому разобраться в нем будет несложно. Достаточно выбрать нужный вам микрофон и активировать опцию Remove Noise. В программах для записи в качестве основного устройства ввода нужно будет выбрать Krisp.

Изображение D Thory с сайта Pixabay.com.

SoundSoap

SoundSoap – программа, предназначенная для обработки уже имеющихся записей. Пользоваться приложением немного сложнее: вам придется экспериментировать с тюнерами и следить за результатами. SoundSoap помогает убрать фоновое шипение и писк.

Noise reduction accessories

Улучшить качество звука поможет предусилитель. Убрать статический шум при записи с ноутбука можно путем использования адаптера питания. На подставку микрофона рекомендуется установить ударные крепления: они уменьшат фоновый шум от вибрации. Ветрозащитный экран избавит от помех в виде тяжелого дыхания и ветра.

Features for Windows 10

В Windows 10 встроена опция автоматической диагностики. Для ее включения нажмите на иконку динамиков и выберите пункт «Устранение неполадок со звуком».