A common, yet frustrating issue you might encounter when using a microphone is setting your hardware and software up, then realizing your microphone is sending out static sounds to everyone in the vicinity.
This can happen for many reasons. A prevalent one is that the mic’s gain, or sensitivity level, is set to a high level on your audio setup or amp.
Damaged cables, external sound, and air pressure can also cause the microphone to transmit static.
We’ll cover some ways of fixing microphone static in this article. Static sounds can be irritating, but they are relatively easy to eliminate, provided that your equipment is working properly.
Keep reading to find out how to solve mic static problems today!
Changing Audio And Microphone Settings
Try Reducing The Gain On Your Mic, Audio Interface, Or Amp to Eliminate Static
In most cases, the sensitivity level is the main cause of static audio. Identify the ‘input’ or ‘gain’ button on your device. Lower it down a few decibels, then speak into the microphone again to see if this helped.
Keep changing the gain level until the static sound is gone.
Push Your Microphone Cables And Headphone Cords In So They Are Secure
Static can also be a result of cables or jacks not sitting properly in their ports. Push your mic, computer, amp, interface, and headphone cables into their port to ensure they are fully plugged in.
If you notice one of the cables moving around, you may need to replace it to eliminate the static.
If your headphones are picking up the static, but it stops when you record audio or speak into the microphone, there will be a problem with the headphone jack. A pair of new headphones will solve this for you.
Change The Microphone’s Position To A Minimum Of 3 Feet Away From Devices
If you are speaking into a microphone and simultaneously transmitting audio out of a speaker or amplifier, try changing your standing position.
Sometimes high or low frequencies from electronics can lead to static audio. Move any phones, audio equipment, or televisions away from your microphone.
Place Your Microphone Around 1 to 3 Inches Away From Your Mouth As You Speak
If there is a lot of space between your mouth and the mic, the microphone has an increased chance of picking up garbled noises in the air.
Move the mic nearer your mouth and see if this removes the static. If the audio becomes too loud as a result, lower the gain.
Use Different Usb Ports Or Outlets To Eliminate Disturbances
Turn your amp, audio interface, speaker, or microphone off. Unplug all the cords that you have connected to USB ports or wall outlets.
After they are all unplugged, place them into new outlets. Different ports and outlets can deliver varying currents, so this might affect the static.
Removing Environmental Sounds
Soundproof Your Recording Room If You Are Inside
If you have static issues and you are recording inside, soundproof your room.
You can do this with soundproofing foam on the walls, or use carpets and tapestries to insulate the floor and the walls. Soundproofing boards and curtains on the walls can also reduce the audio inside.
Soundproofing will prevent the environmental noises from entering the room, which may affect the static noises.
Turn Off Ac Units And Fans To Remove External Noises.
This may seem obvious, but heating vents, air conditioning, and fans direct air around your home, but this air movement may lead to static noises.
Your microphone may pick these sounds up, leading to mic static. To fix this, simply turn off any heating, air conditioning, and fans while you record.
You should also make sure that dishwashers, dryers, and washers are turned off when you record. Even if you are in a different room, these powerful machines are loud enough to be heard in nearby rooms.
Use A Pop Filter To Eliminate Static While You Speak
Pop filters are small screens that help remove plosives, which are hissing and popping noises made from consonants as we speak.
Purchase a pop filter and place it on your microphone stand, just underneath the mic. Adjust the flexible component so that the mesh or fabric filter rests in between your mic and your mouth.
Pop filters are best for indoor recording, but if you record outdoors, windscreens are better. These will filter out external noises, such as wind or cars on the street.
Editing Static Out From Audio
Use A Daw To Manually Take Out Static From Your Audio
DAW stands for digital audio workspace. It involves any software that records and edits sound.
You can use digital manipulation techniques that most DAWs have to remove static from your audio. This will either be when you record, or when you have completed recording.
Popular examples of DAWs are Reaper, Sonus, and Cubase.
You can also go for free programs, like Audacity, Adobe Audition 3, and Waveform. Mac users can also use Garageband for free.
Use A Noise Gate To Eliminate Quiet Sounds That Are Causing Static
Noise gates are effects that manage volume within recordings.
Open your effects tab in your DAW and choose ‘gate’. Play your sounds and change the threshold lever until you can’t hear the static.
The noise gate essentially examines your audio file and cuts any noises that are under your threshold settings.
Static is usually elusive, so it tends to have quieter sound waves. The noise gate will then trim any audio that’s under your threshold volume settings.
Use A Hard Limiter On Your Audio If The Static Is A Result Of Clipping
Hard limiters place a cap on sound volume. If the static is a result of loud audio, go to your effects tab and press ‘hard limiter’.
Next, set your threshold to -1 dB or above as you play the audio file. This will lower any loud noises to decrease any crackling sounds caused by higher volumes.
Hard limiters have the opposite effect of noise gates. These look at your audio to identify where the peaks of every soundwave are, then see if they go past a particular threshold.
If the static is a result of loud noises, the hard limiter will decrease the static noises.
Conclusion
Static from a microphone can be frustrating, but there are many things you can do to fix it.
Try the advice outlined above and see if the guidelines make a difference. Remember to test your microphone after each step to see if you have identified the problem.
Bear in mind that if all fails, you may be able to edit out the static from your audio with recording software.\
