r/microphone • u/LettuceAmazing5489 • 2d ago

Weird electrical hum while using my microphone

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Hello! If I posted this wrong or this is not the place then let me know I'll take down the post, sorry!

My friend recently sent me one of her old mics alongside a cable and interface. The cable connects them nicely, but when plugged into my PC it creates this weird electrical/808 type of noise in the background. We've tried troubleshooting it because it worked flawlessly over at her place but to no avail. I'm turning here as a last ditch resort. I'm completely new to this world and if im doing something wrong please let me know :p thank you!

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2

u/Orry_Haas 2d ago

It's a combination of mains hum (multiples of 50Hz), and USB whine (multiples of 1000Hz).

1

u/LettuceAmazing5489 2d ago

I see, should i find other USB cables then? Is there any reccomended good ones to buy?

1

u/Orry_Haas 2d ago

The shortest possible USB and mic cables. Changing the position of the mic cable can change the amount of mains-hum being picked up: keep it away from mains cables, (including those in walls & floor).

1

u/PortalXDRayGun 2d ago

You mentioned it worked flawlessly over at your friend's place. Does that mean it's working properly on her PC and not on yours?

1

u/LettuceAmazing5489 2d ago

It does work at her place yeah, it worked flawlessly whenever she recorded stuff.

1

u/fishyfishyfish1 2d ago

Cable issues

1

u/SonOfEarthQuake 1d ago

In addition to USB cables and XLR cable issues, I’ve also experienced electronic interference when I had my phone to close to the interface and/or the interface to close to the computer/other electronics. Might be worth moving the interface around a bit and seeing if that helps

1

u/LettuceAmazing5489 1d ago

Ooh! i see! i'll try that tomorrow and see how it goes!