Do mic isolation shields work?
- Thread starter dg27
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DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
I think those are more for direct reflections from sources in the room more than background noise. If someone's running the vacuum in the next room and are too rude to stop while you're recording, you'll need more volume or to deaden the room.
I think those are more for direct reflections from sources in the room more than background noise. If someone's running the vacuum in the next room and are too rude to stop while you're recording, you'll need more volume or to deaden the room.
Lazarus1140
New member
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
I record in dead silence. When I listen to the play-back I hear dogs, cars, and the occasional airplane. Once, while using a very sensitive condenser mic, I heard a mosquito pass gas in another room.
I record in dead silence. When I listen to the play-back I hear dogs, cars, and the occasional airplane. Once, while using a very sensitive condenser mic, I heard a mosquito pass gas in another room.
dg27
New member
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
I run into what Lazarus1140 describes and have gotten into the habit of redoing takes if that siren down the street is noticeable or (noticeable and inappropriate :grumble
. Living in New York, it comes with the territory.
But what I'm trying to eliminate is the ever-so-faint but noticeable (to me anyway when I solo a track) noise from fans on my system. It's not horrible but sometimes bugs me.
I'm using a condenser with rear-rejection and don't have a lot of options in terms of mic placement. Even when the boom is as far away as it can be, the mic still picks up the fan noise.
I wonder whether one of these shields would help. I've isolated my desktop as best I can but can't really soundproof the case.
I run into what Lazarus1140 describes and have gotten into the habit of redoing takes if that siren down the street is noticeable or (noticeable and inappropriate :grumble
. Living in New York, it comes with the territory.But what I'm trying to eliminate is the ever-so-faint but noticeable (to me anyway when I solo a track) noise from fans on my system. It's not horrible but sometimes bugs me.
I'm using a condenser with rear-rejection and don't have a lot of options in terms of mic placement. Even when the boom is as far away as it can be, the mic still picks up the fan noise.
I wonder whether one of these shields would help. I've isolated my desktop as best I can but can't really soundproof the case.
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
Hmm. Perhaps putting said device near the computer instead of around the mic? Seems odd that it picks up the fans from across the room, though. Are you recording into a laptop? It sounds weird, but maybe the laptop's mic is also hot and that's what's picking up the noise?
If all else fails, put the computer in the closet and use longer USB cables for the mouse and KB and monitor.
You can also capture a Noise Profile of the room and then apply that as a Noise Filter over the track, though the inappropriate sirens and such would be the variables there.
Hmm. Perhaps putting said device near the computer instead of around the mic? Seems odd that it picks up the fans from across the room, though. Are you recording into a laptop? It sounds weird, but maybe the laptop's mic is also hot and that's what's picking up the noise?
If all else fails, put the computer in the closet and use longer USB cables for the mouse and KB and monitor.
You can also capture a Noise Profile of the room and then apply that as a Noise Filter over the track, though the inappropriate sirens and such would be the variables there.
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dg27
New member
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
This isn't a laptop. It's a condenser into an MBox connected to a desktop. There are three fans in the desktop case, which is actually in a cabinet.
I think further isolating the desktop cabinet with an acoustical panel might be the best option.
I see these isolation shields all the time and always wonder whether they work.
I'll also look into the noise profile idea.
Thanks.
This isn't a laptop. It's a condenser into an MBox connected to a desktop. There are three fans in the desktop case, which is actually in a cabinet.
I think further isolating the desktop cabinet with an acoustical panel might be the best option.
I see these isolation shields all the time and always wonder whether they work.
I'll also look into the noise profile idea.
Thanks.
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
Ah, ok, I missed where you said it was a desktop. I had that issue with a laptop, which is why I asked. The interface kept turning on the built-in webcam mic so I kept hearing fan noise and the "plinky plink" of the guitar and it took forever to figure it out. Had to plug a dummy cable into the mic jack to make it stop.
The cabinet may be acting like a band shell, amplifying the fan noise, similar to how touching the head of your bass to the wall turns the wall into an amplifier.
If the desktop does not truly need to have all 3 fans running, disable 2, leaving only the fan directly on top of the CPU itself, at least when recording. If overheating is a real threat, remove the side panel and just use the CPU fan, and turn the open side of the case away from reflective surfaces, or point it at an isolation panel.
Ah, ok, I missed where you said it was a desktop. I had that issue with a laptop, which is why I asked. The interface kept turning on the built-in webcam mic so I kept hearing fan noise and the "plinky plink" of the guitar and it took forever to figure it out. Had to plug a dummy cable into the mic jack to make it stop.
The cabinet may be acting like a band shell, amplifying the fan noise, similar to how touching the head of your bass to the wall turns the wall into an amplifier.
If the desktop does not truly need to have all 3 fans running, disable 2, leaving only the fan directly on top of the CPU itself, at least when recording. If overheating is a real threat, remove the side panel and just use the CPU fan, and turn the open side of the case away from reflective surfaces, or point it at an isolation panel.
dg27
New member
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
Thanks. I think I'm better off shielding the machine. It's a pretty powerful system and disconnecting fans would not be a good idea. I've got two internal HDDs and an SSD and previously heat was a major issue.
Hoping someone who's used these mic shields may weigh in.
Thanks. I think I'm better off shielding the machine. It's a pretty powerful system and disconnecting fans would not be a good idea. I've got two internal HDDs and an SSD and previously heat was a major issue.
Hoping someone who's used these mic shields may weigh in.
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
Understandable. In my desktop, I've got 5 internal HDDs, an 850w power supply, and 2 internal GPUs, so I know about the heat, which is why I leave the case open :lol:
The noise is generally drowned out by the noise of the pedestal fan I also have to run because the 55" LCD TV and the PC both serve as my room heater, even in the Summer :lol:
Understandable. In my desktop, I've got 5 internal HDDs, an 850w power supply, and 2 internal GPUs, so I know about the heat, which is why I leave the case open :lol:
The noise is generally drowned out by the noise of the pedestal fan I also have to run because the 55" LCD TV and the PC both serve as my room heater, even in the Summer :lol:
dg27
New member
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
Actually, my guess is that it's also drowned out by the Teutonic Thrash! :firing::sword:
Thanks for weighing in.
Actually, my guess is that it's also drowned out by the Teutonic Thrash! :firing::sword:
Thanks for weighing in.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
Cool, a thread that actually comes close to my day job lol.
Yup; line the inside of the cubby where the PC is with Dynamat and then add a layer of acoustic foam on top of that; use fairly thick stuff, like 2" or thicker; that will certainly help. You will still need to have an opening on the back for ventilation, however.
Make sure to check the NRC/STC rating of the foam you are thinking of using to ensure that it is strongest in the frequency range of the fan noise. A good way to determine that frequency is to record the fan noise from your usual mic position, and then sweep and EQ with 24dB of gain; the frequencies of the fan will become readily apparent!
Cool, a thread that actually comes close to my day job lol.
Yup; line the inside of the cubby where the PC is with Dynamat and then add a layer of acoustic foam on top of that; use fairly thick stuff, like 2" or thicker; that will certainly help. You will still need to have an opening on the back for ventilation, however.
Make sure to check the NRC/STC rating of the foam you are thinking of using to ensure that it is strongest in the frequency range of the fan noise. A good way to determine that frequency is to record the fan noise from your usual mic position, and then sweep and EQ with 24dB of gain; the frequencies of the fan will become readily apparent!
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dystrust
New member
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
Have you looked into quieter case fans? Nothing is completely silent, but a well-made PWM fan is far quieter than most. I'm not sure what the best models are these days, but silentpcreview.com keeps a good list.
Have you looked into quieter case fans? Nothing is completely silent, but a well-made PWM fan is far quieter than most. I'm not sure what the best models are these days, but silentpcreview.com keeps a good list.
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
dg27
New member
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
I'd prefer to make no changes to my desktop.
I guess no one here has ever used these shields and really has no idea whether they work.
Thanks all for weighing in.
I'd prefer to make no changes to my desktop.
I guess no one here has ever used these shields and really has no idea whether they work.
Thanks all for weighing in.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
You're right. I either use the duvet/mic stand trick or the foam square trick to address room reflections/bleed.
As a reflection filter is made to stop unwanted room reflections from feeding back into a mic out of phase/time -- ie, VERY high frequencies, I doubt it's effectiveness on mechanical noise.
Have you tried using two mic stands, each with a duvet or moving blanket, spaced between the mic and PC? May add enough diffusion/air gap to minimize the issue to a manageable level. But I don't think a reflection filter will work.
You're right. I either use the duvet/mic stand trick or the foam square trick to address room reflections/bleed.
As a reflection filter is made to stop unwanted room reflections from feeding back into a mic out of phase/time -- ie, VERY high frequencies, I doubt it's effectiveness on mechanical noise.
Have you tried using two mic stands, each with a duvet or moving blanket, spaced between the mic and PC? May add enough diffusion/air gap to minimize the issue to a manageable level. But I don't think a reflection filter will work.
dg27
New member
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
Thanks, TO. I remember seeing a picture with your Pokemon blankets or something; what's the "foam square trick"?
It's funny that the sales guy @ B&H (where they do not make commissions) said this would be ineffective and the guys at Sam Ash and GC (where they do make commissions) said they were "great."
I'm thinking putting something between the PC and the mic stand might be the best bet.
Thanks, TO. I remember seeing a picture with your Pokemon blankets or something; what's the "foam square trick"?
It's funny that the sales guy @ B&H (where they do not make commissions) said this would be ineffective and the guys at Sam Ash and GC (where they do make commissions) said they were "great."
I'm thinking putting something between the PC and the mic stand might be the best bet.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
The Pokemon quilt is one of the best gabbos I own! lol But I don't use it on location, it stays in the house.
The idea is simple enough: T a boom stand and clamp a thick blanket onto it.
The foam square trick is great for mic'ing drums or other instruments where you want to minimize bleed; simply take a piece of acoustic foam and cut a square (the size will depend on the microphone you use). If you are using a side address mic, simply tape the foam to the rear of the mic; for an end address mic, cut a hole and feed the mic through the foam. Voila --- 29dB of bleed reduction!
The Pokemon quilt is one of the best gabbos I own! lol But I don't use it on location, it stays in the house.
The idea is simple enough: T a boom stand and clamp a thick blanket onto it.
The foam square trick is great for mic'ing drums or other instruments where you want to minimize bleed; simply take a piece of acoustic foam and cut a square (the size will depend on the microphone you use). If you are using a side address mic, simply tape the foam to the rear of the mic; for an end address mic, cut a hole and feed the mic through the foam. Voila --- 29dB of bleed reduction!
dg27
New member
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
Thanks for all this, especially the pictures.
I see. I guess on location you use The Flintstones.:bigeyes2:
Thanks for all this, especially the pictures.
I see. I guess on location you use The Flintstones.:bigeyes2:
Kamanda~SD
New member
Re: Do mic isolation shields work?
Do you find that really works? I've heard you can get comb filtering issues with that.
As for the vocal shields, yeah they are to reduce early reflections rather than block outside noise.
Do you find that really works? I've heard you can get comb filtering issues with that.
As for the vocal shields, yeah they are to reduce early reflections rather than block outside noise.
