I got a sound-mixing/recording board for Christmas which came with a microphone that’s giving me quite a bit of feedback when I record.
Could it just be a poor quality microphone or is there some other cause? It’s not near anything except my laptop and speakers. (and if it’s the microphone, do you know a good one?)
Feedback is caused when the signal generated by the microphone is amplified and played back in such a way that the microphone can pick up the playback and the signal is amplifed again, creating a feedback loop. I can only guess that you’ve got the signal you’re recording playing back over your speakers, and if the mic is nearby, that’s a recipe for feedback. Feedback will occur in such a situation regardless of the quality of the microphone. What you need to do is mute the speakers while you record, or position the microphone and speakers such that the microphone is well out of the speaker pattern.
Hmm, well the speakers are not even connected to the recording device, but I turned them off anyway and I still get the feedback.
I listen to the signal through headphones which are plugged into the recording device, but I tried turning down the volume all the way and even unplugging the headphones, then recording, but when I play back the track the feedback is still there.
I took the microphone clear across the room away from the recording device as far as the cable will let me (a good 15 feet or so) and the feedback is still there.
Does that make the problem the microphone? What else could it be?
While it’s possible that it’s a lousy mic, that in itself can’t lead to feedback. You’d get low fidelity in your recording, possibly pops and hisses and any number of any other problems, but not feedback. If there’s no loop for the signal to run around, there’s no chance of feedback. Somewhere in the system output is being mixed back into the input. Given what you’ve tried, it seems obvious that it’s not coming back in through the mic, but without a lot more information it’s difficult for me to guess where that might be. Make sure any devices you have connected to the board are not both a source and a recipient of a signal.
It sounds like the feedback loop is either in the board or the laptop. Perhaps through an effect send or the signal going to the laptop and the setting in the laptop are creating the loop.
What is the mixing console (make/model) you’re using and how is this connected to your laptop?
Do you only get this loop when the mic main is up?
It’s called the TASCAM Digital Portable Studio DP-01FX, and it connects to the laptop via USB for purposes of transferring the audio data but I don’t even have it connected at the moment.
I’m not sure what you mean by “only when the mic main is up”? I only hear the feedback on my headphones when I have the mic on and turn up the master volume. But even if I turn it down/disconnect the headphones and record, when I listen to the track I just recorded, the buzz is still there.
Are you sure it’s feedback?
If it’s more of a low frequency buzz or hum than a high pitched whine, then it might be a problem with improper grounding of the device, or it might be interference being received from some other device like monitor or a fluorescent light fixture. Either way it would be coming from the 60 hz sine wave you get on your AC power line.
If the device uses a three prong plug, make sure the third prong in the outlet you’re plugged into is actually grounded. You can buy little testers at the hardware store to check this. If it doesn’t have a three prong plug, see if it has a screw terminal or something similar to properly ground it.
If that doesn’t seem to be the problem, make sure that lights, monitors and computers are turned off in the room to see if that’s the source of the problem.
Let us define our terms here.
As Buckgully has surmised, if you are troubled by a buzzing sound, that is almost certainly not feedback.
Feedback, as explained upthread, happens when the audio signal from a microphone (or other pickup device, eg, an acoustic guitar pickup) is amplified (for example, by monitor speakers) to the point that it can be picked up by the selfsame microphone or pickup device. The sound is picked up and fed back into its source, creating an escalating loop.
Feedback has a distinctive sound–often a high-pitched squealing sound that escalates in volume, though it can also be low-pitched, depending on acoustics.
Rarely, if ever, is it described as ‘buzzing,’ though. That seems to suggest an electrical problem.
Buzzing, or hum, is a steady unwanted pitched sound that persists regardless of what is or is not patched into the signal chain. This is most likely a grounding problem.
To remedy this, make sure all audio devices are plugged in to the same circuit–use a power strip or several if necessary. If possible, avoid being on the same circuit as heavy appliances (microwaves, fridges, etc). Dimmers are especially problematic–any setting between full-on and off can yield hum. Also, a CRT monitor can induce hum, particularly if you record electric guitar; if so, consider a an LCD screen.
Like what Buckgully and Hoops said, if it’s a buzz I don’t think we’re talking about feedback.
It could be electrical, cable related, or a bad mic.
It can also come from your levels being too hot to make up for a weak incoming mic signal.
I’m looking at your mixing unit and it seems to have a input trim on the front next to your mic input plug. While speaking/singing into the mic (or whatever you’re recording) adjust the trim up until the OL light starts to blink - then ease back a little. This will get the hotest signal into the mixing unit and gives it more to work with. Then use the track slider to adjust the volume of the mic signal.
Also, I don’t know what kind of mic it is, but if it isn’t a condenser make sure the phantom power switch is off.
It could be be the mic as well. If it is a lower end mic or a general use mic, there’s a good chance it will always make noise. A good rule of thumb is if the mic has an attached cable, it will make noise.
If you’re recording voice, guitar, congas, and general sounds you might want to consider picking up a general use condenser mic. I’ve used a few of the MusicianFriend.com $100 range general condensers (like MXL or Behringer) and you’ll get a better recording with a set up like yours than you would with a dynamic mic of the same price range.