I need help troubleshooting buzzing noise in microphone

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around troubleshooting a buzzing noise in a lavalier microphone, specifically the Boya BY-M1, which occurs only when the microphone is connected to a laptop that is plugged into wall power. Participants explore potential causes of the noise, including electrical interference and grounding issues, and suggest various solutions and considerations related to the microphone and laptop performance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the buzzing noise is likely due to electrical interference from the switching power supply when the laptop is plugged in.
  • Another suggests contacting customer service for the microphone, proposing that they may have encountered similar issues and could offer solutions, such as using a ferrite clamp on the cable.
  • A participant recommends using ferrite noise-suppression clamps on both the microphone and power cords to mitigate interference.
  • Concerns are raised about the laptop's touchpad becoming unresponsive, with suggestions that overheating may be a contributing factor, along with advice on cleaning the laptop's internals.
  • One participant mentions that using a shielded or balanced microphone could potentially resolve the issue if the current microphone is inadequate.
  • Another participant indicates that the buzzing frequency may suggest poor grounding in the building, recommending checking for stray AC voltage or consulting an electrician if necessary.
  • A later reply analyzes the sound recording, noting that the noise primarily falls within the 1kHz to 3kHz range, with a peak around 100Hz, reinforcing the idea that the switching power supply is likely the source of the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the source of the buzzing noise and potential solutions. There is no consensus on a single cause or resolution, as various hypotheses are presented and explored.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention limitations related to the specific electrical conditions in the user's environment, such as grounding issues, which may not be easily resolved without professional assistance. The discussion also reflects varying levels of familiarity with microphone technology and electrical interference.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals experiencing similar issues with microphone noise, those interested in troubleshooting audio equipment, and users seeking advice on electrical interference in recording setups may find this discussion relevant.

entrydew
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TL;DR
I bought a Boya BY-M1 lavalier mic, but it produces a buzzing noise when my laptop is plugged in, likely due to electrical interference. The issue persists with different laptops and outlets. Need advice.
Recently, I purchased a cheap lavalier microphone, the Boya BY-M1, and noticed that the recordings have a constant electric buzzing noise, similar to the sound produced by a Tesla coil. This issue only occurs when my laptop is plugged in, leading me to believe it’s a case of electrical interference. I tested the microphone on another laptop from a different brand, and it too produced the same electrical noise whenever it was plugged in. I also tried different wall outlets in various rooms and even used a power strip, but nothing seems to fix the issue.

Additionally, one of the laptops has a weird issue where the capacitive touchpad becomes laggy, skippy, and unresponsive after being on for a few hours. From my online research, it seems like this could be due to static electricity build-up on the touchpad.

Can someone help me understand what is happening? I am not very knowledgeable about electricity-related matters, so detailed explanations would be appreciated. Can someone also advise me on what to do? For context, I live in an Asian country.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Have you toggled the switch to battery power.
 
entrydew said:
I purchased a cheap lavalier microphone, the Boya BY-M1
Have you tried contacting their Customer Service folks? They have likely heard about this issue in the past, and may have a workaround solution for you (like a ferrite clamp on the cable to the laptop, for example).

1718320174699.png

https://www.boya-mic.com/product/by-m1
 
:welcome:

for the Noisy Microphone:
Since it happens only when using wall power the problem is coming from the switching power supply. Switching supplies turn On-and-Off very rapidly while operating, causing much interference.

The suggestion by @berkeman to put a ferrite noise-suppression clamp on the microphone cord is a good place to start.

If it is an external power supply, try adding a ferrite core noise suppressor to both the power cord and the charging cord to the computer; put these on the cords as close to the power pack as you can. Also moving the external supply away from the microphone may help.

for the Touchpad:
Since it takes so long for the problem to happen, it sounds like the computer is overheating.

If you are comfortable opening the case, open it up and clear the dust that has collected around the fan and air vents.

If you do not want to open it up, you can CAREFULLY use "Canned Air" .
Canned Air is a gas in a pressurized can, much like a spray can but without the liquid.

You can spray it into the ventilation holes of the case to blow out the dust.
The CAREFULLY is because the Canned Air can get the cooling fan spinning fast enough to cause damage. Short spurts should be used to avoid damage.

Hope this helps!
And please let us know how it works out.

Cheers,
Tom
 
I do not personally have experience with (modern) microphones, but I understand getting a shielded/balanced (analog) or digital microphone will help a lot, so if you end up looking for a new microphone this should certainly be worth considering. It seems both wired USB and wireless Bluetooth clip-on's are around same price level as unshielded 3.5 mm jack clip-on's so price shouldn't be determining factor if you are getting a new one. Going for 2.4 GHz wireless do seem a bit more expensive but then you also get a lot more range.
 
entrydew said:
the recordings have a constant electric buzzing noise
If the frequency is in match with the line frequency there (50 or 100Hz, likely), then the issue is likely the poor grounding in the building: or some other equipment in the building is driving the protective ground. Both issues are hinting a troublesome underlying problem.

If you have the necessary equipment and experience you can check whether there is some stray AC voltage on the protective ground.
If not, then I would try to get an electrician.
 
Update: I forgot to post a recording in my original post. Here is what it sounds like, by the way.
http://sndup.net/5cvf7
 
A quick-and-dirty check of the sound recording has most of the noise in the 1kHz to 3kHz band with another peak around or below 100Hz.

That, along with the noise not present when operating on batteries, indicates that a switching power supply is the most likely guilty party.

Cheers,
Tom
 

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