Audio static when using any mic on PC

[Devin B]

Ever since I built my PC recently, I have this constant static sound when using a headset or usb mic. Tried the rear panel and it was no different. I've updated audio drivers, installed and reinstalled the latest Realtek drivers from MSI's website for my B550 A-Pro motherboard, my PC is grounded along with my outlets. I'm lost on what to do as I've tried everything and still not sure what the solution is. My PC is not loud by any means and my room is quiet, keep in mind that I'm using a usb mic now but it has done this on a headset with a headphone jack. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[The Flying Sloth]

Sounds like fairly normal background noise to me, if you're really worried just shove on some noise reduction and you should be all good.

[Devin B]

2 hours ago, The Flying Sloth said:

Sounds like fairly normal background noise to me, if you're really worried just shove on some noise reduction and you should be all good.

I forgot to mention the mic I have which is the latest Presonus product, Revelator. It's a great mic, records at 24-bit/96 kHz, and what you're hearing is the raw audio. I usually use one of the main presets which has a good gate and it stops that sound but when I speak, you can still slightly hear it, which still bothers me because I want it to be clear yet it still sounds a little "buzzy." What are some noise reduction settings you use?

[The Flying Sloth]

1 hour ago, Devin B said:

I forgot to mention the mic I have which is the latest Presonus product, Revelator. It's a great mic, records at 24-bit/96 kHz, and what you're hearing is the raw audio. I usually use one of the main presets which has a good gate and it stops that sound but when I speak, you can still slightly hear it, which still bothers me because I want it to be clear yet it still sounds a little "buzzy." What are some noise reduction settings you use?

By noise reduction I mean phase inversion isolation of background noise, there are open source RTX voice alternatives on GitHub but personally, if I have to work with mics other than my own or I have to record on location the one thing that keeps me sane is Brusfri from Klevgrand. Izotope's RX series does a damn good job too.

[Devin B]

12 hours ago, The Flying Sloth said:

By noise reduction I mean phase inversion isolation of background noise, there are open source RTX voice alternatives on GitHub but personally, if I have to work with mics other than my own or I have to record on location the one thing that keeps me sane is Brusfri from Klevgrand. Izotope's RX series does a damn good job too.

Ok. Before I consider getting the software you recommended, I'm not sure if the software that came with the mic is capable of doing the same. I'm not too knowledgeable of audio and all. Is it the same thing? Or is it a whole different type of thing?

[The Flying Sloth]

If you've already followed this guide, no, it can't do any better. I'd suggest taking a look at the GitHub options since they're free and designed precisely for what you're asking for here, if you're looking to see results from Brusfri there is a link to a bunch of audio files in the link in my signature that has examples with and without Brusfri noise removal so you can get an idea of what it does. Be warned that both Brusfri and RX7 are not designed to modify the audio live so to do that you would need to set up a VSThost

[Devin B]

14 hours ago, The Flying Sloth said:

If you've already followed this guide, no, it can't do any better. I'd suggest taking a look at the GitHub options since they're free and designed precisely for what you're asking for here, if you're looking to see results from Brusfri there is a link to a bunch of audio files in the link in my signature that has examples with and without Brusfri noise removal so you can get an idea of what it does. Be warned that both Brusfri and RX7 are not designed to modify the audio live so to do that you would need to set up a VSThost

Ok, thanks for baring with me. I'll take a further look into them. I appreciate the help!

[Devin B]

On 12/29/2020 at 5:48 AM, HenrySalayne said:

It doesn't sound like audio static, but just fan noise. And there is some really bad and annoying echoing on your recording.

You shouldn't need a plugin to reduce this kind of noise. Try these things first:

- disable any effects and processing in the microphone, EQ flat, HPF somewhere in the range of 100 to 150 Hz.

- set the pattern of your microphone to cardoid (it's mentioned as switchable in the manual and on the spec sheet, but I didn't find out how)

- point the microphone (the part picking up sound) directly at your mouth

- if you get noise from keys and fans, move it further away and closer to your mouth

- adjust gain settings to a somewhere around -25 dbFS when you are talking normally

- if this doesn't help, use the built-in noise gate to reduce the noise when you are not talking

I've tried all of that already. I think I should've used a different example. When I speak with the noise gate on (even off), it picks up this white, hissing noise when the gate opens for sound and sounds bad, even with the gain down. Sounds alright when I'm super close but the further I get from the mic, the more I hear it because my voice is lower but the sound is consistent. I tried all 4 of my headsets and even did it with my wireless pair when I listened to playback. I was tweaking things in sound settings and listened to playback from the Realtek Stereo Mix and it was also doing the same hiss noise. I think it may be a grounding issue or psu but the psu is fairly new and well reviewed. Just stuck at this point.

[The Flying Sloth]

14 hours ago, Devin B said:

I've tried all of that already. I think I should've used a different example. When I speak with the noise gate on (even off), it picks up this white, hissing noise when the gate opens for sound and sounds bad, even with the gain down. Sounds alright when I'm super close but the further I get from the mic, the more I hear it because my voice is lower but the sound is consistent. I tried all 4 of my headsets and even did it with my wireless pair when I listened to playback. I was tweaking things in sound settings and listened to playback from the Realtek Stereo Mix and it was also doing the same hiss noise. I think it may be a grounding issue or psu but the psu is fairly new and well reviewed. Just stuck at this point.

A gate just stops sending signal when the volume is below a specified level, since the volume is not above that level when you talk the hissing is only heard when you speak.

[Devin B]

I ended up finding out the solution guys. I turned my system volume for the microphone down from 80 to 20 and raised my gain to 30 and it sounds much more better and clear. I'm a dumb***. I appreciate the help though, I really do!