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