Phantom Power 48v Producing Background Noise

[CainB]

So I recently bought a new microphone. The model is the Samson MTR101A. My wire setup goes as follows: <<<microphone--xlr cable--power supply (InnoGear 48v Phantom Power)--xlr to usb--usb 3.0 socket in my pc>>>

unfortunately when I go onto "listen to mic" in the microphone properties, a high-pitch set of beeps and static accompanies my mic noise, in which my voice is very quiet anyway.

I know that the problem is with the power supply as when I unplug the microphone's xlr cable from the power supply, the background noise persists. The noise also persists when I turn the power supply off using the on-off switch, even if the light is off. The problem also persists when the setup is <<<Microphone--XLR-USB cable--PC>>>. There are odd breaks in the static, which occur when my computer is downloading something, although the static is considerably lower, it's still there. Any help would be great but PLEASE NOTE- I don't want to use audacity to reduce my background noise, as I need to use the microphone for skype and recording whilst playing games(and still keep the game audio)

p.s I do have a pop filter, shock mount, and the plug is into the front of my pc, my windows version is windows 10, and as the past copy of windows was illegitimate (lol) it is unactivated.

ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED <3 😀

 

[basroil]

Is your XLR to USB device working properly? Try using your old mic and a different computer.

Considering your signal to noise ratio is low though, it's likely that your converter isn't working properly, and might be getting feedback from a noisy power supply in your system though the 5V power in USB. If a different computer works, try using a powered USB hub (type with wall adapter) or replacing your power supply.

 

[CainB]

Is your XLR to USB device working properly? Try using your old mic and a different computer.

Considering your signal to noise ratio is low though, it's likely that your converter isn't working properly, and might be getting feedback from a noisy power supply in your system though the 5V power in USB. If a different computer works, try using a powered USB hub (type with wall adapter) or replacing your power supply.

Yeah xD My power supply is the Corsair CX600M, Loud as hell, maybe replacing the power supply fan would be a good idea, I'm experienced with building computers, and I've seen a few people do it. I have a pwm noctua redux 120mm for it, do you think that will do?

as for the mic, it's new out of the box, I don't think it's faulty, as it does pick up voice and what can be heard is very clear and quality. The static is ruining it though 🙁

Thanks 😀

 

[basroil]

Is your XLR to USB device working properly? Try using your old mic and a different computer.

Considering your signal to noise ratio is low though, it's likely that your converter isn't working properly, and might be getting feedback from a noisy power supply in your system though the 5V power in USB. If a different computer works, try using a powered USB hub (type with wall adapter) or replacing your power supply.

Yeah xD My power supply is the Corsair CX600M, Loud as hell, maybe replacing the power supply fan would be a good idea, I'm experienced with building computers, and I've seen a few people do it. I have a pwm noctua redux 120mm for it, do you think that will do?

as for the mic, it's new out of the box, I don't think it's faulty, as it does pick up voice and what can be heard is very clear and quality. The static is ruining it though 🙁

Thanks 😀

PSU can certainly be an issue, but your ADC is also a possible issue. Like I said before, try testing it on another computer and with a powered hub. If the powered hub works then you might not need a new PSU (though the CX600 is rubbish)

 

[CainB]

Is your XLR to USB device working properly? Try using your old mic and a different computer.

Considering your signal to noise ratio is low though, it's likely that your converter isn't working properly, and might be getting feedback from a noisy power supply in your system though the 5V power in USB. If a different computer works, try using a powered USB hub (type with wall adapter) or replacing your power supply.

Yeah xD My power supply is the Corsair CX600M, Loud as hell, maybe replacing the power supply fan would be a good idea, I'm experienced with building computers, and I've seen a few people do it. I have a pwm noctua redux 120mm for it, do you think that will do?

as for the mic, it's new out of the box, I don't think it's faulty, as it does pick up voice and what can be heard is very clear and quality. The static is ruining it though 🙁

Thanks 😀

PSU can certainly be an issue, but your ADC is also a possible issue. Like I said before, try testing it on another computer and with a powered hub. If the powered hub works then you might not need a new PSU (though the CX600 is rubbish)

Yeah, I agree xD The cx series is awful. I recently tried the mic on my brother's computer, which is noticeably quieter. The noise difference repeated in the mic's white noise, which was, although quieter, was still noticeable, and it was a similar sound. I'm gonna get round to replacing my power supply, as it's been a problem since I made the current pc.

As for a powered usb hub, I think it's a great idea, do you have any recommendations? I already saw this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/DIGIFLEX-Speed-Power-Adapter-Cable/dp/B003DVC7N6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1460287267&sr=8-3&keywords=powered+usb+hub

Ill probably mount it underneath my desk. As for the ADC, maybe an audio interfece would be in order, although I originally was trying hard not to need one, thanks anyway.

 

[basroil]

That should be fine, and hopefully it will help lower the ADC noise

 

[CainB]

Thanks, Ill let you know if it works
😀

 

[CainB]

So here's the deal. I went ham on my Pc, LEDs, 2 new fans, and I replaced the psu fan. No improvement 🙁

next, I bought a powered usb hub. ALSO NO IMPROVEMENT 🙁(((((((((

IDK what to do?!

I can think of a few things:

faulty mic

faulty cables

my pc be cray



that's about the whole of it, any help would be appreciated

 

[basroil]

So here's the deal. I went ham on my Pc, LEDs, 2 new fans, and I replaced the psu fan. No improvement 🙁

Who the hell said to replace the PSU fan??? You have to replace the whole damn thing!

Also, get rid of LEDs, those increase noise

 

[CainB]

So here's the deal. I went ham on my Pc, LEDs, 2 new fans, and I replaced the psu fan. No improvement 🙁

Who the hell said to replace the PSU fan??? You have to replace the whole damn thing!

Also, get rid of LEDs, those increase noise

I feel like that's probs the best option xD
Ill have a go 😀

 

[CainB]

So here's the deal. I went ham on my Pc, LEDs, 2 new fans, and I replaced the psu fan. No improvement 🙁

Who the hell said to replace the PSU fan??? You have to replace the whole damn thing!

Also, get rid of LEDs, those increase noise

So before I bought a new psu, I decided to do some tests. I used a mic I found for 50p at a jumble sale, a stick-shaped non-condenser microphone. This was connected directly to my computer through a 1/4 inch to 3.5mm adapter. The noise persisted. But here's the thing. I bought a playstation branded headset (also 50p lol) and connected it through usb directly to my pc, and there was NO background noise 😀 It's a decent mic, but I want to be able to use my really good mic at some point. I think that the reason that headsets work and directly connected mics don't is that theres some sort of adapter for the microphone IN the headset which eliminated whatever problem my psu is creating.

This is making me think that an audio interface is probably the answer. I can buy one, money's not too much of a problem as you can get decent ones £40-£80. But, the idea of a quieter computer is significantly attractive, could you recommend any reasonably quiet power supplies in a range of sub-£80?? thanks 😀

 

[basroil]

So before I bought a new psu, I decided to do some tests. I used a mic I found for 50p at a jumble sale, a stick-shaped non-condenser microphone. This was connected directly to my computer through a 1/4 inch to 3.5mm adapter. The noise persisted. But here's the thing. I bought a playstation branded headset (also 50p lol) and connected it through usb directly to my pc, and there was NO background noise 😀 It's a decent mic, but I want to be able to use my really good mic at some point. I think that the reason that headsets work and directly connected mics don't is that theres some sort of adapter for the microphone IN the headset which eliminated whatever problem my psu is creating.

This is making me think that an audio interface is probably the answer. I can buy one, money's not too much of a problem as you can get decent ones £40-£80. But, the idea of a quieter computer is significantly attractive, could you recommend any reasonably quiet power supplies in a range of sub-£80?? thanks 😀

I'm going to guess that the playstation headset uses a dynamic mic, which would not have noise issues because it's powered by your voice.

As for PSU, it depends on your equipment, but for most people http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220g20650y1 is a great option, and if you can work with 550W then the 550W G2 is a bit cheaper.

 

[CainB]

I think I solved my problem without buying a new power supply, although I will do that at some point. It turns out that xlr-usb cables are incredibly unreliable, and decent ones are pretty much inexistent. It's because the signal between each end is unbalanced, so the residual electric signal is reproduced by the mic. This can be easily solved by buying a usb audio interface 😀 let me know how this works plz

 

[basroil]

I think I solved my problem without buying a new power supply, although I will do that at some point. It turns out that xlr-usb cables are incredibly unreliable, and decent ones are pretty much inexistent. It's because the signal between each end is unbalanced, so the residual electric signal is reproduced by the mic. This can be easily solved by buying a usb audio interface 😀 let me know how this works plz

Pretty sure I already explained to you why, first in http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3025407/phantom-power-48v-producing-background-noise.html#17783902 , then http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3025407/phantom-power-48v-producing-background-noise.html#17909899 , and hinted at it in others.

Basically this is your issue, considering your ADC worked on another computer:
1) Your PSU is bad, causing "minor" transients on the 5V power line
2) Your XLR to USB ADC doesn't filter the 5V properly, so that noise is carried over into the ADC
3) Your mic's gain is low compared to the 5V noise, causing you to hear that noise when the ADC converts the signal to a digital representation

Like I said before, the easiest thing you can do is to simply get a USB hub with it's own wall plug (amazon sells them for $10), which isolates the USB from your bad power supply.

 

[CainB]

I think I solved my problem without buying a new power supply, although I will do that at some point. It turns out that xlr-usb cables are incredibly unreliable, and decent ones are pretty much inexistent. It's because the signal between each end is unbalanced, so the residual electric signal is reproduced by the mic. This can be easily solved by buying a usb audio interface 😀 let me know how this works plz

Pretty sure I already explained to you why, first in http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3025407/phantom-power-48v-producing-background-noise.html#17783902 , then http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3025407/phantom-power-48v-producing-background-noise.html#17909899 , and hinted at it in others.





Basically this is your issue, considering your ADC worked on another computer:
1) Your PSU is bad, causing "minor" transients on the 5V power line
2) Your XLR to USB ADC doesn't filter the 5V properly, so that noise is carried over into the ADC
3) Your mic's gain is low compared to the 5V noise, causing you to hear that noise when the ADC converts the signal to a digital representation

Like I said before, the easiest thing you can do is to simply get a USB hub with it's own wall plug (amazon sells them for $10), which isolates the USB from your bad power supply.

I ALREADY BOUGHT ONE --- NO DIFFERENCE - "next, I bought a powered usb hub. ALSO NO IMPROVEMENT 🙁 (((((((((

IDK what to do?! "

 

[basroil]

I ALREADY BOUGHT ONE --- NO DIFFERENCE - "next, I bought a powered usb hub. ALSO NO IMPROVEMENT 🙁 (((((((((

IDK what to do?! "

Links to the items you tried?

If the powered USB doesn't work, but your laptop/other desktop does (when in the same place), then there's something else going on. If no computer has clean output, then the issue is your ADC like I said in the beginning. If you actually didn't use a real powered USB port or the sound was actually different with it and you didn't report it, then the issue is likely easy enough to fix with a better USB hub, new ADC, or a new PSU. Without more info it's difficult to know where the issue is.

 

[CainB]

good news, I fixed the problem 😀 nothing more needs to be said really! thanks for your help basroil ;D