Mic and Static Energy :/

[AyaaN]

Hello

I am facing a really weird kind of issue with my microphone

it used to work fine but today when i came back from my classes and was on voice chat with my friends they were complaining about my microphone making alot of noise and my voice wasnt clean at all.

when i tried to troubleshoot the microphone i realised when i was touching something grounded like my psu the static was gone and as soon as i stopped touching it static came back.

also when i my legs are on the ground the amount of static increases.

Any help related to this will be appreciated.

Thank you

[AyaaN]

I tried reinstalling audio drivers and all but nothing helped

[CommandMan7]

I have fried multiple audio devices and microphones via static electricity. Honestly, you're lucky that it still even works at all. All I can say is that higher impedance headphones and aftermarket audio cards tend to be more resistant to static, but nothing is static-proof. My best guess is just to run a wire to ground your microphone permanently, as I don't think there's a software fix that can be done.

[AyaaN]

39 minutes ago, CommandMan7 said:

I have fried multiple audio devices and microphones via static electricity. Honestly, you're lucky that it still even works at all. All I can say is that higher impedance headphones and aftermarket audio cards tend to be more resistant to static, but nothing is static-proof. My best guess is just to run a wire to ground your microphone permanently, as I don't think there's a software fix that can be done.

Can u tell me what's causing the issue?

Also when i touch my Microphone to PC cabinet the static goes away (Basically Grounding the Microphone)

Is my microphone in itself creating the static?

[AAJoe]

Most likely it isn't static, but rather something else. Try moving all other cables away from it and see if that helps. Also turn off any electronics nearby.

 

Then, try unplugging all nearby devices that you can, including removing the power strip and plugging everything direct into the wall. Eliminate everything, if it goes away, start adding things back one at a time till you find the cause.

 

If unplugging doesnt remove the problem, it could be a short. It's almost certainly an EMI/grounding issue, but that noise doesnt just appear from nowhere usually.

[CommandMan7]

2 hours ago, AyaaN said:

Can u tell me what's causing the issue?

Also when i touch my Microphone to PC cabinet the static goes away (Basically Grounding the Microphone)

Is my microphone in itself creating the static?

My guess is there was a static shock that damaged your microphone without completely destroying it. It works when grounded because whatever short that has occurred has a relatively high resistance compared to just grounding it, so when you ground it it takes the path of least resistance.

[AyaaN]

11 hours ago, CommandMan7 said:

My guess is there was a static shock that damaged your microphone without completely destroying it. It works when grounded because whatever short that has occurred has a relatively high resistance compared to just grounding it, so when you ground it it takes the path of least resistance.

I tried the microphone on my laptop and it works fine there :3

11 hours ago, AAJoe said:

Most likely it isn't static, but rather something else. Try moving all other cables away from it and see if that helps. Also turn off any electronics nearby.

 

Then, try unplugging all nearby devices that you can, including removing the power strip and plugging everything direct into the wall. Eliminate everything, if it goes away, start adding things back one at a time till you find the cause.

 

If unplugging doesnt remove the problem, it could be a short. It's almost certainly an EMI/grounding issue, but that noise doesnt just appear from nowhere usually.

I shifted my PC to another wall outlet with just tower and monitor but it’s still making static noise  I also tried different mic and same issue  could it be my motherboard’s last golden days before it gives up on me?

[CommandMan7]

20 minutes ago, AyaaN said:

I tried the microphone on my laptop and it works fine there :3

I shifted my PC to another wall outlet with just tower and monitor but it’s still making static noise  I also tried different mic and same issue  could it be my motherboard’s last golden days before it gives up on me?

Yeah, that isolates it to a motherboard issue. It's unlikely to completely die though, as the audio on mine has been dead for the past 2 years.

[AAJoe]

You may be able to literally solve your problem by attaching something to the wire to ground it out through your case or other conductor. Probably not time for a new MB in my opinion.

 

You can also try using a USB DAC like this: https://www.amazon.com/external-Adapter-Windows-Microphone-SD-CM-UAUD/dp/B001MSS6CS - which will let you use the mic/headphones and bypass your motherboard.

 

Plenty of cheap options to try before you go big!  

[AyaaN]

15 hours ago, AAJoe said:

You may be able to literally solve your problem by attaching something to the wire to ground it out through your case or other conductor. Probably not time for a new MB in my opinion.

 

You can also try using a USB DAC like this: https://www.amazon.com/external-Adapter-Windows-Microphone-SD-CM-UAUD/dp/B001MSS6CS - which will let you use the mic/headphones and bypass your motherboard.

 

Plenty of cheap options to try before you go big!  

I am gonna buy i5 8400 soon anyways so if its a motherboard problem let it be kek. I will just deal with this noise till new motherboards comeout which are actually not more expensive then the processor itself

[AyaaN]

Thanks for your help @AAJoe and @CommandMan7