Back Ground Noise Question

[toiletmunger]

So, there's an irritating background noise, whenever I try to audition for some something and I don't know what it is. I've unplugged the fridge and turned off the air conditioner in my dorm room but it still won't go away. I've heard this sound in numerous auditions from other people as well. However, I don't know if any of those other people ever got roles in anything. I'm guessing that it's some sort of feed back. My technology isn't very good (I'm using a built in microphone, free ear buds that I got on a plane, and GarageBand) but, I've adjusted the mic to a low level and edited out as much as I can but it's still an issue.... Is there a way to solve this problem? And do people who have this problem still have a decent shot at most roles for most projects?

[MeroMeroSaharade]

Hmmmm, I use to use a mic attached to a headphone until I switched to this mini AIWA mic. I think that it might be your ear buds, or most likely just your mic problem. My suggestion is that you go to a cheap electronic store and get a new one. Or go to a store where there is a mic that someone had already used it. Those are cheaper I believe.

[QAN]

Should you not be up for the Mero-fix :p, use the noise reduction option in Audacity of another sound program.

[MeroMeroSaharade]

Should you not be up for the Mero-fix :p, use the noise reduction option in Audacity of another sound program.

Mero-fix~ I like that~

[~ChibiSammii]

Are you using a laptop ? I know that sometimes, if you have your laptop plugged into a socket and charging, it produces some feedback when you record.

[Merleawe]

So you use a built-in computer microphone?
That's the problem.

When recording, you should always use at least a headset at worst because when you record with a built-in microphone, first of all the microphone isn't the best. You record in your room, there will be slight echo. Second of all, ALL electronics and laptops etc. should be turned off, or at least far enough that you hear little to no background noise.

What I suggest?

1) Get a headset or a microphone. If you plan on getting a microphone, don't forget that you still need to buy other various equipment for these things.
2) Use Audacity or maybe Adobe Auditions CS5 to remove as much background noise as possible.
3) Feedback is also heard when you scream loud and it goes over the capacity of which the microphone is able to pick up. So don't speak too loudly.

[toiletmunger]

This all seems like pretty good advice. I didn't know about feedback from charging, so the first thing that I'll try is simply removing the charger when I record. I live in a little hick town and can't drive, so it may be a while before I can get proper equiptment.... Can Audacity be downloaded for free, on a Mac?

[~ChibiSammii]

Yes it can (: I have a Mac and use Audacity ^^

[Shadowken]

So, there's an irritating background noise, whenever I try to audition for some something and I don't know what it is. I've unplugged the fridge and turned off the air conditioner in my dorm room but it still won't go away. I've heard this sound in numerous auditions from other people as well. However, I don't know if any of those other people ever got roles in anything. I'm guessing that it's some sort of feed back. My technology isn't very good (I'm using a built in microphone, free ear buds that I got on a plane, and GarageBand) but, I've adjusted the mic to a low level and edited out as much as I can but it's still an issue.... Is there a way to solve this problem? And do people who have this problem still have a decent shot at most roles for most projects?

It could be the mic. When i first joined this forum as well as other voice over websites, i started with a built in mic. I didn't get any roles when i auditioned and people told me there was something up with my mic. I noticed it too and had no idea how to get rid of it. I used audacity as well but didn't work because i didn't have the right settings to get rid of the sound. Your best choice is to get another mic like a samson c01u. I've got much better results from it (this is my fourth mic and the best up to date). Also using a built in mic is never a good idea in my opinion for voice over (only because it was rare (VERY!) that i got a role with it. Mac on the other hand is a problem if you are using the Imac. there's a hard drive below the integrated microphone on some macs and the noise from it gets caught in the recording sometimes or most of the time.