Microphone is Screeching, I Want to Strangle It.

[Handbag1992]

Yes, my microphone is annoying the hell out of me and I'm seeking help. I don't know how much of this is relevent, but I'll include all my computer specs and what I've tried so far.

Windows 7 Ultimate
AMD Phenom II X4 840
8gb DDR3
AsusTek Computer Inc. M4A78LT-m (AM3)
AMD Radeon HD 6900 Series

It's a Tritton AX Pro [http://www.trittonaudio.com/prod/axpro.asp] headset connected via optical audio cable and USB. It needs it's own power adapter too. The problem is that the microphone constantly picks up this horrible noise:


The first half is with the microphone fully active, whereas the second half is with the in-line controller muting the microphone (it's softer but still there).

I've tried alternating USB ports, changing playback devices, fiddling with settings (does anyone know how to change the sample rate outside of 16-bit 44100 and 16-bit 48000?). I tried re-installing default drivers and seeking official ones, but they don't exist. Eventually I tried threats, singing, begging and invoking the power of Zeus, all of which have failed.

Unfortunately I do not have another machine to try this on, or another USB microphone to test.

I've heard something about a "ground loop" which may be causing the problem, but I couldn't find a recording or a good description to try matching it to what I'm hearing.

I've run out of ideas now and am desperately seeking help. At first I went to the manufacturers, but I ended up being given a copy/paste that was unrelated to my issue and then asked to ship a large box across the country at my own expense so that they could test it.

My biggest fear is that it's my PC that's the issue, I payed a lot for it (a little while back) and it's never let me down before this. If it's just the headset that's off then I can probably get a refund.

Will happily debase myself for any help anyone can offer.

 

[thesilentman]

Set up your microphone sensitivity. Or did you already do this?

 

[Handbag1992]

Set up your microphone sensitivity. Or did you already do this?

Tried that, no change.

 

[thesilentman]

Right then, what sound card do you have? Maybe it's just not compatible with the headset [sub]which is a load of BS on the manufacturer's part[/sub]. Other than that, I got nothing. Sorry 'bout that.

 

[SnowyGamester]

Since the headset appears to have it's own sound card it's unlikely to be related to your computer hardware. The best way to get your answer would be to find another box to test it on. In the mean time you can try removing the noise with Audacity if you can...works well enough for the noise from my cheap ass headset and usb sound card.

 

[Stavros Dimou]

No,it's not your computer that has a problem. It's that the microphone is of bad quality.
You can't do much to fix it.

Once I used a cheap Logitech microphone attached to my computer's motherboard and when recording it recorded the same kind of noise yours is recording.

Later on I bought a good microphone that I spent 100 Euros for,and a dedicated sound card that was needed to power the mic with Phantom Power.
With this setup not only there was no noise,but also I could hear my voice as it truly was, without pitch change.

The solution to your problem is to buy better quality related equipment. (good mic,and if needed good quality recording sound card)

It has nothing to do with your graphics card or processor or RAM,or software settings.

The headset you use is primarily made for consumer general use. Might be good for that,but if you are looking for recording quality,you should get equipment that is designed primarily to function as a dedicated recording device.

So if you are really interested in recording good quality audio,buy a microphone. Not a headset, a dedicated microphone designed for clear and crisp audio recording.

Something that looks like this:

not like this:

or that:

 

[Handbag1992]

Snippy snip snip

Thank you. In the event that I couldn't fix this, I had planned to return the headset and purchase something else. I've heard good things about the Blue Snowball, although I'm still browsing.

I don't suppose you'd know of any good headphones to match? I game a lot and am used to directional sound, but the majority of mic-less headphones are purely stereo.

Worst case scenario is I keep this headset for sound and just purchase a microphone separately.

 

[Stavros Dimou]

I don't know about this mic. I've been mostly working with studio standard microphones that use XLR type connectivity. It is a condenser type which is good,but I didn't found complete specs for it.

Take a look at some products made by Steinberg and AKG,the popular studio equipment supplier giants,I have used many of their products and I can say I'm satisfied with their quality. Note that they mostly provide equipment to professional recording studios though,so some of their products can get very expensive,but they also have entry products with good prices. Their sites are nicely organized,and browsing is easy. Also remember that in the audio market what you pay is what you get.

http://en-de.sennheiser.com/

http://www.akg.com/

I hope I helped.