Microphone problems

[Myiceguy]

Hey, I'm new to the forum and was wondering if any of you could help me with my microphone problems. I recently purchased an XLR microphone and phantom power supply it works and everything, but it constantly has a buzzing noise in the background that I dont know how to get rid of, I've tried almost everything that google has showed me but i figured a more tech based website would be more helpful.

[Yasashii]

That buzzing sound is caused by a ground loop. It happens when your device isn't connected to a grounded socket, or when some other device at your house is causing problems.

Make sure you're plugged in to a properly grounded socket (and if you're on a laptop, make sure the power plug is actually three-pronged).

If you are, unplug every other device from the wall one-by-one to see if something else is causing it.

If you can't get rid of it that way you can still get a DI box with a ground lift function and plug the mic into that. If that's not an option for you for whatever reason, the only way to get around the problem is to not be connected to the mains at all and just use battery power.

[Myiceguy]

the power connector for the power supply doesnt have a 3rd prong on it, so should i try unplugging other things from the power strip?

 

[Yasashii]

To be perfectly honest I don't know for sure (since I'm not an electrician) but I think if the power supply doesn't have the third prong, the only way to get around the ground loop problem is to use a DI box with a ground lift function. You might want to research ground loop further, though, or ask a sound engineer about it, if you know one.

There is a ghetto "workaround" for this as well. When you use the microphone put it right next to (in fact, even touching) another electrical appliance, like a TV or something. The sinus waves of that appliance should partially cancel out the sinus waves of the ground loop to reduce the buzzing somewhat (that's how a ground lift actually works, only better). That's what I do when I need to record something.

I'm not sure how good this "workaround" is for the health of the microphone or the appliance you're putting it next to, so don't quote me on that and do it at your own risk.

[Myiceguy]

so if i have the microphone stand touching the monitor would that work do you think?

 

[Yasashii]

It works for me. It doesn't eliminate the buzzing completely but it does reduce it by about 50% That's probably the only thing you can do that won't cost you anything, at least that I know of.

[Myiceguy]

thanks, i tried it and its working a lot better now!

[Yasashii]

Glad I was able to help