Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2019 September 20

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September 20

How does one record a podcast without hiss?

A difficult to phrase question and I do apologise. Whenever I record from my desktop, my laptop, my iPad, my phone, there is always a background hiss. I understand that it is possible to reduce the hiss using "noise reduction" (or whatever it is called) on Audacity/similar software. But, my question is, what hardware/software do people use to record their podcast/audio recordings without the hiss?

I know it is possible. Surely it is! Do I need a dedicated piece of hardware that exists beyond my computers? If so, what is that called? If you would be so kind, could you provide an example link? Thank you very, very much. Ohgoshidunno (talk) 11:39, 20 September 2019 (UTC)

It's possible the hiss isn't in the recording, but is due to poor speakers. Do you hear this hiss when playing the podcasts directly ? If so, you might try covering the speakers with some form of insulation, like a taped-down paper towel. This filters out high frequencies, including hiss, and lets the bass through, similar to the idea of a dead cat or dead kitten. SinisterLefty (talk) 12:28, 20 September 2019 (UTC)

I have listened to the recordings from speakers and high-quality headphones on a variety of different platforms. From what I've read, it's a natural product of having a sound card very close to everything else inside of a machine. A microphone attached to a computer's sound card will pick up everything inside of a computer, too. But I'm curious as to how a professional podcast (radio shows, too), can just produce things without as much natural background hiss. I'm wondering what hardware should I buy so I don't have to faff around with noise reduction software. I have also used pop-filters/windscreens without change. It's bloody annoying! Ohgoshidunno (talk) 13:12, 20 September 2019 (UTC)

You've mentioned quite a few details but seem to have missed what mic you are using. A quick search finds plenty of discussion of unknown reliability e.g. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]. Many of these seem to recommend a USB mic, so your sound card doesn't come in to it although I think you're still likely to get noise since the USB power is hardly a clean signal (among other things). An XLR microphone is another option, either combined with a USB device or a stand alone recorder although I believe the primary advantage here is if you want multiple mics, portable recording or other things which require it like a long wire although you can introduce a preamp which may have advantages e.g. [8]. [9].

BTW, a search for mic hiss e.g. [10] [11] finds a lot of discussion that seems relevant [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] (a podcast!) [19]. At least one of these mentions your mic isn't that important for background hiss, but I think this is more of a case of the difference between a $100 mic and a $500 mic is not much. Rather than 'you're fine using a $5 mic connected to your computer's 3.5" port'.

Anyway, from what I can tell, 2 key take aways from this seem to be that you should not expect there to be no hiss. Rather you want it to be low enough that it's almost irrelevant. I.E. you need your signal to noise to be excellent. You'd first want to start by reducing ensuring you record loud so move your mic as close as possible without introducing problems and ensure you speak at a decent volume. Then ensure the background noise (in the room) is as low as possible. Maybe you can't afford a soundproof studio, but see what you can do about fans etc.

BTW, while I'm sure professional recording setups for podcasts and the like have equipment and studios beyond anything you have and have low background noise, is there some reason to think they do not use noise reduction? As some of the discussions say, noise reduction actually works best when you have an already low (and of course constant) background noise.

My impression is that professional podcasts tend to also have high production values. They start off with good equipment and studios, but also spend a lot of time producing their work to get exactly what they want, with careful planning, multiple tries etc as needed and possible with what they're doing. (Someone doing an interview probably can't really do multiple takes except for a few mistakes etc.) And of course extensive post-production. They don't avoid noise reduction just because they don't want to "faff around with noise reduction software". See e.g. [20] Live radio and other live streams are more limited in what they can do, but still they set things up carefully beforehand with whatever hardware and software solutions available to them.

Nil Einne (talk) 14:35, 20 September 2019 (UTC)

Forgot [21] [22] Nil Einne (talk) 15:11, 20 September 2019 (UTC)

(ec with Nil Einne) A lot of podcasters (and youtuber and twitch streamers) use pretty decent USB microphones like the Rode NT-USB. People who need to record multiple sound sources concurrently, like interviews, or musical instruments, or who want other equipment in the signal chain, might instead use an analog microphone like a Marantz MPM1000 with an XLR connection (with other sources also connected via XLR or 1/4 inch mono patch cords) running into an external USB interface device like a Focusrite Scarlett. If you're using a analog microphone (and not a USB one) then most people intending to make content for others to listen to (something better than a Skype call to grandma) use an external ADC like the Focusrite, because the electronics and ADC in a consumer motherboard are cheap and don't produce great results. If you have to handle voices that vary a lot in volume over the course of a recording, adding dynamic range compression might help - that can be a physical compressor device in the signal chain, or processing in the software. With that done, and the microphone appropriately positioned, you have to worry that you're not recording noise. The biggest concerns are air conditioning and room fans (if you live somewhere hot) and the sound of the computer's own fan - so turning those off, and keeping the mic as far from the computer as you can will help. Lastly, some well placed acoustic foam tiles around your recording space will help improve the audio the microphone hears - they're mostly to kill reverberation (of your own voice) around the room, but they may also help to deaden any ambient hisses that are bouncing around. -- Finlay McWalter··–·Talk 14:57, 20 September 2019 (UTC)