Subject:Background Noise

Posted by: CosmicMiami

Date:12/15/2011 12:01:26 PM

I am getting a bit too much background noise. Running a mic through a Alesis Multimix 8 USB. Recently upgraded to a Gateway ZX4951, Win 7. On my old Dell I never had problems with noise. It isn't a hum as much as it is a low volume, static like noise.

I'm using this for voiceover work. When I process with the noise gate, it is eliminated during dead air moments but I can hear it when during the voice passages. Have tried changing USB ports to no avail.

Subject:RE: Background Noise

Reply by: rraud

Date:12/15/2011 1:46:11 PM

I assume you have installed the latest drivers for the Alesis? Do you hear the noise though headphones directly from the Multimix prior to recording? Have you tried record/playback though a different app to narrow down the issue? Is the noise embedded in the file after saving and can you see it in the waveform? Asside for the driver update, start with the basic.. exit all other programs that may be running in the background, especially anti-virus.. especially Nortons anti-virus.
I sort of recall reading that description before, try searching here and the Vegas forum.

Subject:RE: Background Noise

Reply by: roblesinge

Date:12/15/2011 3:26:45 PM

More information might also help narrow down your issue. What mic are you using? I'm assuming you're using SF Audio Studio, since you don't mention trying Noise Reduction? If you are using SF Pro, you should definitely let Noise Redux help you. Sony's is particularly good. If you don't have Pro, I think Audacity has a noise reduction plug-in on it.

Rob.

Subject:RE: Background Noise

Reply by: Geoff_Wood

Date:12/15/2011 4:06:59 PM

I have a M-Audio Transit USB that put a buzz on everything when run from my laptop on power. Running on battery it's fine, so it is noise from the laptop's smps. I cured it by installing a larger reservoir/filter capacitor in the transit.

So it could be USB-power-bourne....

geoff

Subject:RE: Background Noise

Reply by: CosmicMiami

Date:12/16/2011 6:40:54 AM

Given these suggestions, I just tried two things. Recorded a track with the mixer plugged into USB but not powered up. Got the background noise. Recorded another track with nothing plugged into USB. No noise.

Oh boy, now I gotta track this thing down. Could get ugly.

Subject:RE: Background Noise

Reply by: CosmicMiami

Date:12/16/2011 6:43:07 AM

Looking at the drivers. Shall I install ASIO drivers for both?

Subject:RE: Background Noise

Reply by: CosmicMiami

Date:12/16/2011 8:55:28 AM

Okay ASIO won't work. Here's what I'm getting now after some experimentation.

No noise through phones from the mixer.

Tried several different USB ports both front and back without any changes to noise level.

Audio device type: Windows Classic Wave Driver
Default recording device: Microphone (2- USB Audio Codec)

The noise I get bounces around -45dB. I can only describe it as a static type noise. When I gate out at about -42, I eliminate all of the noise during a test track however I hear the noise underneath any audio on the track.

When I disconnect the USB cable and record a track, no noise. Going to the local computer store to obtain a new cable and see if that works.

When I use any other input device, no noise.

One other strange issue, I don't have the noise reduction option under the Tools menu. This is SF 9.0d.

Subject:RE: Background Noise

Reply by: roblesinge

Date:12/16/2011 9:35:15 AM

I'm confused. When you remove the USB cable, how are you recording a track? Are you going in through another sound card at that point?

Why won't the ASIO drivers work? I don't understand why you can't select the USB audio codec directly via SF.

It looks like you're using an All-In-One desktop. Does the Mixer have it's own power supply, or are you pulling USB bus power? If the mixer has it's own power supply, make sure to use that.

I thought Noise Reduction was included with SF 8 and up. Go to FX Favorites and Organize. Under ALL plug-ins, see if you see Noise Reduction. If you do, drag it into your FX Favorites and see if you can access it from there.

Rob.

Subject:RE: Background Noise

Reply by: CosmicMiami

Date:12/16/2011 9:35:36 AM

Different cable, same problem. Dang.

Subject:RE: Background Noise

Reply by: CosmicMiami

Date:12/16/2011 9:45:34 AM

Okay, I selected the USB codec mic in SF. With the mixer unplugged (not connected via USB), I got zero noise. When I plug in the USB cable, I get the noise (with the mixer turned off). Did this with two cables. Same result.

I can select USB audio codec through SF.

The mixer has its own power supply. Can I turn off the USB power? That might be the problem here.

I do not see the NR option under FX Favs/Organize.

Thanks for y'alls attention to this. I didn't have a similar problem on the old Dell.

Subject:RE: Background Noise

Reply by: CosmicMiami

Date:12/16/2011 10:50:37 AM

VOI-f*&ing-LA!!

Found the solution on the forum of a competing software vendor (the free one).

The solution is to turn down the USB microphone in the Control Panel. Control Panel, Sound, Recording, choose the USB Codec, adjust the level down to about 5. Mine was jacked up to 100 (I guess the default setting because I never set it). Still have a little latent noise (-72dB) but it is now workable.

I still think it is noise from the USB power supply but hey, its working well now.

Now, I gotta get to work and pay for all this downtime!!

Subject:RE: Background Noise

Reply by: Larry Clifford

Date:12/16/2011 2:00:23 PM

CosmicMiami,

Would you mind sharing the link to the entry in the forum where you found the answer?

Subject:RE: Background Noise

Reply by: CosmicMiami

Date:12/17/2011 5:29:03 AM

Sure. Not at home now but will do later.

For Win7

Control Panel, Sounds, tab for Microphone or Recording, there is a slider in there for input level.

Subject:RE: Background Noise

Reply by: CosmicMiami

Date:12/18/2011 7:44:38 AM

Here's the link. This discusses Win/Mac/Linux input levels.

http://wiki.audacityteam.org/index.php?title=Mixer_Toolbar_Issues#Windows_Vista_.2F_Windows_7