What's this mic buzzing?

I have a mic plugged into iMic plugged into a USB. It records fine, but if it's quiet on the track, i.e. just vocals, I can hear a faint buzz. Is there any way to get rid of that?

if you are recording with garageband you can noise gate it.

It works, but it's not perfect.

The more expensive but better solution is a power conditioner for your computer. Like a Furman or the like.

shaun raney said:

if you are recording with garageband you can noise gate it.

It works, but it's not perfect.

The more expensive but better solution is a power conditioner for your computer. Like a Furman or the like.

Click to expand...

Is that accessible by going to Effects > Gate? That works with some instruments, but not vocals really. It cuts out too much. Thanks for your help, though.

You may also want to try one of the vocal presets such as "iSight Noisy" or "Male/Female Radio Noisy"

shaun raney said:

You may also want to try one of the vocal presets such as "iSight Noisy" or "Male/Female Radio Noisy"

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How do I access those?

Thats how I see them.

Add an instrument, select Podcasting, select a "noisy" one.

Are you using a USB hub? That could be the problem. Griffen used to make (maybe still does, it's been years since I got mine) a USB Audio Hub (MODEL NO UH-124Z) that supposedly is designed for using with USB mics and the like.
Jude

Great recommendation on the Male Radio Noisy setting. It didn't fix this problem, but it'll help me in the future.

As for this buzzing, it started recently -- months after successful recording with the same iTrip set-up. I can temporarily fix it if I switch USB ports, but I can only record three takes maximum before it starts sounding crappy again.

I've included a sample MP3 of what it sounds like here: http://makeoutmusic.knoxware.org/makeoutmusic/mic test.mp3

It's not a buzz so much as it is a constant static associated with vocals/instruments.

That's definitely something with the mic itself. Perhaps try unplugging the mic and rebooting, then replug in a different port?
That actually sounds like the mic could be broken...

Jmurr187 said:

That's definitely something with the mic itself. Perhaps try unplugging the mic and rebooting, then replug in a different port?
That actually sounds like the mic could be broken...

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Ugh. Can you recommend any mics I can get off eBay for $50-$75 to record basic vocals and acoustic guitar? I need USB or one that can run through iMic.