Question / Help Extreme static noise any mic (not OBS related)

[Tony32]

Hi guys, I have googled now for a couple of days and tried multiple solutions and nothing have helped me so far..

So, my problem is that I have an "extreme" or way above normal amount of noise from any of my microphones. Even if I mute the microphone via hardware button, it still produces the noise. It's extremely annoying and communicating over VOIP, streaming or making videos makes it unbearable for the listeners/viewers.

So what I have tried:

• Pulling out EVERYTHING except the mic from the computer (including monitors)
• Tested front and back mic input
• Pulled out front panel cable from motherboard
• Different microphones
• Settings in the device
  
• I am connected to a grounded outlet.
• Touched different parts of the computer, ex chassie, graphics card, io-panel, usb-ports and so forth

The last in the list causes "spikes" in the mic input, like a crack but only at initial touch.

My setup:
Asus Z97-A Motherboard
MSI GTX 770
I7 4790k
8 GB RAM DDR3 1600MHZ
A 750w gold plus cetified PSU

The computer was built about a year ago. I can't remember if the static existed back then doe :/

So.. I am feeling like I'm out of options here.. Something I've missed?

And here is a screenshot just to demonstrate the noise levels (silent room)

So as you see, it's extreme if you ask me. This pisses me off so much that I'm not even bothering streaming/skyping anymore.

So please guys, anyone have a solution?

Thanks guys! <3

 

[dping]

Hi guys, I have googled now for a couple of days and tried multiple solutions and nothing have helped me so far..

So, my problem is that I have an "extreme" or way above normal amount of noise from any of my microphones. Even if I mute the microphone via hardware button, it still produces the noise. It's extremely annoying and communicating over VOIP, streaming or making videos makes it unbearable for the listeners/viewers.

So what I have tried:

• Pulling out EVERYTHING except the mic from the computer (including monitors)
• Tested front and back mic input
• Pulled out front panel cable from motherboard
• Different microphones
• Settings in the device
  
• I am connected to a grounded outlet.
• Touched different parts of the computer, ex chassie, graphics card, io-panel, usb-ports and so forth

The last in the list causes "spikes" in the mic input, like a crack but only at initial touch.

My setup:
Asus Z97-A Motherboard
MSI GTX 770
I7 4790k
8 GB RAM DDR3 1600MHZ
A 750w gold plus cetified PSU

The computer was built about a year ago. I can't remember if the static existed back then doe :/

So.. I am feeling like I'm out of options here.. Something I've missed?

And here is a screenshot just to demonstrate the noise levels (silent room)

So as you see, it's extreme if you ask me. This pisses me off so much that I'm not even bothering streaming/skyping anymore.

So please guys, anyone have a solution?

Thanks guys! <3

your motherboard might not be properly grounded to the PSU. I have a ground cable that I attach to one of the 9 motherboard screws from my PSU. I don't know if this is something you can make sure is properly done.

Second, you've checked to make sure you are using a grounded outlet but the question would be. what is that ground connected to? if just to the return then its not properly grounded.

Last but not least, buying a UPS can sometimes help.

 

[Tony32]

your motherboard might not be properly grounded to the PSU. I have a ground cable that I attach to one of the 9 motherboard screws from my PSU. I don't know if this is something you can make sure is properly done.

Second, you've checked to make sure you are using a grounded outlet but the question would be. what is that ground connected to? if just to the return then its not properly grounded.

Last but not least, buying a UPS can sometimes help.

I have no idéa where the ground leads too. I live in an apartment and the outlets at least have the grounded thing x) My power cable from the PSU has ground connector too.
About the ground from psu to motherboard screw, is that something that is built in to the powersupply or did you do it yourself? If not I guess you've connected a wire from the "black" wire aka ground from a molex to a motherboard screw?

That won't work if the outlet itself isint grounded properly I guess?

EDIT I recorded a small clip where you clearly can hear the insane noise :/
http://vocaroo.com/i/s1z2qt838VOL

 

[dping]

I have no idéa where the ground leads too. I live in an apartment and the outlets at least have the grounded thing x) My power cable from the PSU has ground connector too.
About the ground from psu to motherboard screw, is that something that is built in to the powersupply or did you do it yourself? If not I guess you've connected a wire from the "black" wire aka ground from a molex to a motherboard screw?

That won't work if the outlet itself isint grounded properly I guess?

EDIT I recorded a small clip where you clearly can hear the insane noise :/
http://vocaroo.com/i/s1z2qt838VOL

No, My PSU has a cable and a nut connector directly into the PSU that looks like this: http://customcable.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Grounding-Cable-Assembly-With-Terminal-Lugs.png

I do not recommend using the -12 or -5 black cable that comes off a molex. This isn't necessarily a regular ground. If your PSU does not have this cable, then dont "make" one. not all do but not all need it

 

[Tony32]

No, My PSU has a cable and a nut connector directly into the PSU that looks like this: http://customcable.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Grounding-Cable-Assembly-With-Terminal-Lugs.png

I do not recommend using the -12 or -5 black cable that comes off a molex. This isn't necessarily a regular ground. If your PSU does not have this cable, then dont "make" one. not all do but not all need it

Unfortunately I don't have that on my PSU. So I am kind of at a standstill here..

Anyway, I tested uninstalling the drivers (realtek ones) and let windows install its default drivers, the noise got lessened but the volume got way, way too low even if the volume was cranked to max. Even output audio got too low.

Tried installed three different versions of the realtek drivers and all of them produces shit ton of noise so it's probably not a driver issue then.

Btw, I'm on windows 10.

 

[sam686]

The quality of 3.5mm mic capture also depends on which sound card being used. Maybe use a different sound card that have a 3.5mm mic in jack? (USB, or for desktop tower PCI or PCI-E)

Maybe first try the same microphone on a different computer or different sound card to see if the problem is really a specific sound card or on-board sound not producing good quality mic capture.

 

[dping]

Unfortunately I don't have that on my PSU. So I am kind of at a standstill here..

Anyway, I tested uninstalling the drivers (realtek ones) and let windows install its default drivers, the noise got lessened but the volume got way, way too low even if the volume was cranked to max. Even output audio got too low.

Tried installed three different versions of the realtek drivers and all of them produces shit ton of noise so it's probably not a driver issue then.

Btw, I'm on windows 10.

Its not driver, its hardware.

Drivers don't make audio devices whine. Its some sort of noise from bad ground. I would see if you move your PC to another outlet if issue goes away. If they don't then its probably a bad ground internal to the PC or the whole house has an improper ground.

 

[Tony32]

Its not driver, its hardware.

Drivers don't make audio devices whine. Its some sort of noise from bad ground. I would see if you move your PC to another outlet if issue goes away. If they don't then its probably a bad ground internal to the PC or the whole house has an improper ground.

That really blows... I was glad when I moved from my old apartment to this one because it has "grounded outlets" and still its this bad. May I ask why the output on the headset is completely fine (no noise at max volume) but only on the mic?

Btw, I tried plugging in a extention cable and pulled the mic out to see if it's any static noise coming in even if the mouse is "off"/unplugged and look at this:

Just wow, so much noise. I have no idea where it comes from :(

 

[dping]

That really blows... I was glad when I moved from my old apartment to this one because it has "grounded outlets" and still its this bad. May I ask why the output on the headset is completely fine (no noise at max volume) but only on the mic?

Btw, I tried plugging in a extention cable and pulled the mic out to see if it's any static noise coming in even if the mouse is "off"/unplugged and look at this:

Just wow, so much noise. I have no idea where it comes from :(

yeah that is a lot of noise.

There is a utility for OBS that can reduce the noise sometimes but this will not reduce it for other applications.
https://obsproject.com/forum/resources/microphone-dsp-plugin.127/
This will also disable any driver "enhancements" like added echo, etc so dsp can do its thing.


you can also sometimes buy an in-line noise filter with 3.5mm M/F adapter to aid in noise

Again, these two fixes don't remove the problem and is why I typically only recommend this when noise is minor.

 

[Tony32]

yeah that is a lot of noise.

There is a utility for OBS that can reduce the noise sometimes but this will not reduce it for other applications.
https://obsproject.com/forum/resources/microphone-dsp-plugin.127/
This will also disable any driver "enhancements" like added echo, etc so dsp can do its thing.


you can also sometimes buy an in-line noise filter with 3.5mm M/F adapter to aid in noise

Again, these two fixes don't remove the problem and is why I typically only recommend this when noise is minor.

Thanks for the tips. Yeah, I have turned off all enhancements and tried all different settings all over the place, still the same. It's so weird.. Output totally fine, input whenever mic is muted/unplugged or not its hell of a lot of noise. :(
There is always some problem for me when it comes to this tech D:

"fixing" the problem via software is not something I'd like to do, as it ruins the quality of the voice (at least when removing noise of this magnitude)

Might take a look at those in-line noise filter things.

Any more suggestions? Thanks a lot for the feedback so far!

 

[dping]

Thanks for the tips. Yeah, I have turned off all enhancements and tried all different settings all over the place, still the same. It's so weird.. Output totally fine, input whenever mic is muted/unplugged or not its hell of a lot of noise. :(
There is always some problem for me when it comes to this tech D:

"fixing" the problem via software is not something I'd like to do, as it ruins the quality of the voice (at least when removing noise of this magnitude)

Might take a look at those in-line noise filter things.

Any more suggestions? Thanks a lot for the feedback so far!

Personally. what I would do is remove all power from the motherboard then replug everything back in. maybe you find something that is out of place.

 

[Tony32]

Personally. what I would do is remove all power from the motherboard then replug everything back in. maybe you find something that is out of place.

I opened my computer a few days ago to re-arrange the fan connectors and back then I didn't notice anything at least :/ But maybe you are right, will do that as a last resort. Gonna look for some other solution first as it feels like it's kind of unlikely (not saying its not the problem) but if I had power screwing around I think other problems would occur as well :P

 

[dping]

I opened my computer a few days ago to re-arrange the fan connectors and back then I didn't notice anything at least :/ But maybe you are right, will do that as a last resort. Gonna look for some other solution first as it feels like it's kind of unlikely (not saying its not the problem) but if I had power screwing around I think other problems would occur as well :P

Sometimes rearranging will help due to noise from one line bleeding to another. Audio is very sensitive in what it picks up. Some people hear sounds on speakers when their mouse moves. This is usually cables laying on top of eachother.