How to Avoid Buzzing From Mic

Sometimes, your mic may occasionally begin to buzz when you are speaking in a meeting or presenting. Everyone in attendance may find it quite annoying and distracting. In most cases, device interference or a bad connection are the primary causes of buzzing noise, and these issues should be investigated from the perspectives of the connection method, cable selection, multi-level connection, etc., to prevent the production of buzzing sounds.

The Way of Connection

The first is the connection method. There are now three ways to connect devices: the standard 3.5mm audio cable connection, the USB cable connection, and the XLR/6.35mm audio cable connection in the professional field of music recording.

Signals in the 3.5mm, 6.35mm, and XLR formats are all analog. In contrast, the USB digital output signal is more prone to buzz noise. An XLR is often a balanced signal, whereas 3.5 mm and 6.35 mm are typically unbalanced signals. Compared to balanced signals, unbalanced signals are more susceptible to buzzing sounds.

Cable Selection

Since 3.5mm audio cables are typically used to connect mics, cameras, switchers, mixers, and mobile computers during live streaming, the buzzing sound is more likely to occur. We must first check whether there is an issue with the connection between the cable and the interface.

You don't need to buy expensive cables. Costly cables don't always mean higher sound quality. It is preferable to use a cable with good shielding performance. It is recommended to use a shielded single-crystal copper cable. The cable shell should ideally be made of braided because it is more resistant to pulling.

There are two common 3.5mm audio interfaces: TRS and TRRS. TRS has three sections, and TRRS has four sections. Please push the audio cables in all the way to make sure they're plugged in all the way. Some buzzing noise is often caused by a jack or cable not sitting correctly in its port. If one of the cables is jiggling a little, it may need to be replaced.

Additionally, when using the cable, it must be arranged so that it is not stepped on or tangled and knotted, as this will cause a buzzing sound. Another thing to note is that if your cable is damaged, it will pick up sound pollution, which will affect the sound quality, so regularly check that your cables aren't damaged.

Multi-level Connection

The third point is a multi-level connection. Mixers, audio interfaces, switchers, and other devices have all been added to the live stream as its technology has advanced. The more devices you have, the more careful you must be about the method and order of connections.

Here are three suggested connecting methods that we have tested.

If you only have a mic and a camera, we suggest connecting them directly to the computer. It is advised to use a USB connection if the mic supports it, or use a 3.5mm audio cable if it only supports the analog output. Please connect the camera to the computer through a USB cable. You can use the Webcam software that the camera maker has given you to capture camera images.

*Webcam software must be official. Please check the brand's official website to see if your camera supports a webcam.

If you have a mic, camera, capture card, or switcher, we recommend that you connect the mic to the camera through a 3.5mm interface, the camera to the capture card or switcher through an HDMI cable, and then connect the capture card or switcher to a computer through a USB cable.

If you have a mic, camera, capture card, switcher, audio interface, or mixer, then we recommend that you connect the camera to the capture card or switcher through the HDMI interface and the mic to the audio interface or mixer through the 3.5mm interface or XLR interface. If your audio interface or mixer supports USB output, you can connect it directly to your computer. If not, plug it into your capture card or switcher. Finally, connect the capture card or switcher to the computer via USB.

Choosing a high-quality mic is essential for minimizing buzzing noises. The VM10 PRO has a compact design, excellent isolation, superior shielding performance, and plug-and-play support. It is perfect for connecting smartphones, computers, tablets, and cameras via the 3.5 mm/USB-C cable.  The VM10 PRO is the ideal choice for any recording!