Introduction

The inherent self-noise of a microphone is actually very low. Most of the noise you hear usually comes from the surrounding environment.

Unlike human ears, which can subconsciously filter out background sounds, a microphone records everything it picks up.

Try putting the microphone aside and listen carefully—you’ll notice the environment is full of sounds:
the humming of a fan, the noise from an air conditioner, car horns outside the window, or even voices from the next room.

Therefore, the most important thing during recording is to find a quiet place with minimal interference.

Also, avoid pointing the microphone directly at a fan or air conditioner outlet, and keep it away from your computer tower, since the cooling fans inside a PC can also generate a lot of noise.

1. Environmental Noise — The Most Common Type

🎧 Sample Test (please wear headphones, the humming sound represents environmental noise)

Characteristics

Condenser Microphones: Highly sensitive, easily capture environmental sounds such as fan noise, air conditioners, keyboard typing, mouse clicks, and room reverberation.
Dynamic Microphones: Less sensitive to environmental noise, but relatively more prone to electromagnetic interference.

(1) Environment Optimization

Reduce background noise: Turn off air conditioners, fans, or other appliances to minimize mechanical noise. Close windows and avoid noisy surroundings.
Stay away from noise sources: Choose a quiet space for recording and avoid areas with traffic noise or nearby conversations.
Improve acoustic environment: Add carpets, acoustic foam panels, or curtains indoors to reduce echo and external interference. If the environment is very noisy, consider using an isolation shield (links below).

(2) Usage Adjustments

Check connections: Ensure the microphone is firmly connected to the device to avoid loose connections causing noise.
Reduce mic-to-source distance: Bringing the microphone closer increases the signal-to-noise ratio. Recommended distance:
- Condenser microphones: 10–30 cm
- Dynamic microphones: within 15 cm
Use a windscreen: In outdoor or windy environments, use a windscreen to reduce wind noise effectively.

(3) Software Settings

Adjust gain and volume: Lower the microphone gain to avoid excessive pickup of environmental noise.
Enable noise reduction: Some USB microphones have built-in noise reduction—enable it to filter background noise. You can also adjust the noise reduction level in Maono Link.
Post-processing: Use audio editing software such as Adobe Audition to capture and reduce environmental noise in recordings.

2. Electrical or Interference Noise

🎧 Sample Test (please wear headphones, the sharp sound represents electrical noise)

Characteristics

Common Issue: USB microphones rely on computer power. If the USB port is unstable or improperly grounded, you may hear humming or buzzing sounds.
Dynamic Microphones: More prone to electromagnetic interference from external devices, such as RGB keyboards, monitor power supplies, wireless chargers, or routers. Typical symptoms include clicking or sharp buzzing noises.
Condenser Microphones: More affected by USB power supply noise, usually resulting in continuous low-frequency hum.

Solutions

Avoid connecting the microphone to front-panel USB ports or low-quality USB hubs. Use rear-panel motherboard USB ports whenever possible.
Do not run the microphone cable in parallel with power cords, keyboards, or monitor power cables.
Check your equipment: Aging USB ports or poor grounding may cause electrical noise. Try another computer or test with a mobile device. (Custom-built PCs are more prone to grounding and leakage issues.)
Keep away from interference sources: Do not place the microphone near Wi-Fi routers, video lights, or power strips. Try recording in a different setup if interference persists.

Comparison Table

Noise Type	Condenser Microphone (USB)	Dynamic Microphone (USB)	Solutions
Environmental Noise	Highly sensitive, easily captures background noise and room reverb	Less sensitive, less prone to environmental noise	Control mic distance, use acoustic treatment, windscreen, or software noise reduction
Electrical / Interference Noise	Less prone to external interference, but more affected by USB power noise	More likely to pick up interference from RGB keyboards, monitors, etc.	Use stable USB ports, high-quality shielded cables, keep away from interference sources

General Microphone FAQs & Troubleshooting