Microphone buzz/hum

[decisivecake]

So I bought a new mic for recording podfics. It worked beautifully at first, and I got a sharp, clear sound. But then it started picking up a constant loud buzzing sound which I can only get rid of after I've applied noise reduction for three times, and that makes my voice sound tinny. I tried with another mic, too, but the same happened. Is there

Comments

[heard_the_owl]

When I've encountered this problem, it usually turned out to be that I hadn't set my external mic as the input and my software was recording using the default internal mic. Could be worth a check.

Other times, I used to get a hum if my laptop was plugged in. IDK why - interference of some kind. Who knows. So maybe try unplugging?

Are you using Audacity? Maybe posting a screenshot of your settings might help with trouble shooting.

:

[kellifer_fic]

Yes - I was going to suggest this - I had thought something wacky had happened when I went from clear recording to a loud background hum and then found out Audacity had switched from the external mic input being selected to the laptop's mic and as soon as I switched it back it was all good. Sounds like a weird thing to happen if initially it was clear.

[decisivecake]

I checked the mic settings and I think there's nothing wrong with them. I've also tried unplugging the laptop but the hum is still there.

snapshot:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com//s/59wl60614yuutfz/Capture.PNG?dl=0

[mific]

Hmmm. All I can see is that your playback volume setting's right at the max. I generally have it in the middle of the range. But maybe on your system you need it set like that. Also not an explanation as to how that could cause a hum in the recording.

It's a USB mic from the look of it? Are you sure the USB connection's good? Might pay to try a different USB socket?

Actually, googling it located this, which is a bit like what I was sugegsting and might help. Esp. if your mic's still under warranty!
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2104237

ETA: to remove stupidity caused by not reading your post properly.

[decisivecake]

I tried it with all three of the USB sockets with my laptop, then I tried it with my old laptop, but the hum was still there.

So I decided to get a replacement.

Thanks for your help. :)