Aggressive Microphone Buzz

[Mortimmerr]

Good afternoon! I'm definitely a noob, and have NO idea on god's green earth how any of this works, but I have looked everywhere and haven't found an answer.

I am using a Scarlett Solo(have tried 3rd and 4th gen), connected via Amazon Basics XLR to a Shure MV7X. It is producing this ungodly loud hum. I obviously can't hear it unless I have direct monitoring on, but that is the entire reason I went with an XLR + Interface.

For example, with Direct Monitoring off, I can still see the audio level of the buzz, even though I can't hear it. When I move the mic AWAY from my setup, the buzzing gets quieter.

Probably assumed, but I did NOT have this issue with my USB-C HyperX plugged in directly to my PC.

Some internet solutions said "plug the interface into a different outlet than the PC", but the interface plugs INTO the PC, so that's not an option.
I've also tried removing the PC from the UPS and plugging it straight into the wall, no change.

Some threads and talked about "grounding", but I have seen no real way to accomplish this and am not currently confident in how I should go about that. Any tips, tricks or help in general is greatly appreciated!

 

[staticV3]

Hi @Mortimmerr! Welcome to ASR.

Does the direct monitoring still work with the Solo plugged into a power bank or phone charger?
(USB-A recommended to avoid issues with overvoltage and charging protocol handshake)

If so, just to test, try powering the Solo that way and listen if the hum is gone.

If it's gone, try bringing the mic close to your PC to test if it's picking up EMI due to a poorly shielded capsule.

Still nothing? Then all that you need is a USB isolator to plug between your PC and the Solo.

Here's a list of a few different models:

Topping HS01
Topping HS02
Hifime High-Speed USB Isolator v2
JDS Synapse
Neutron HiFi Isolator V1
DSD TECH SH-G01L
Olimex USB-ISO-HS

There are two complications:

1. You need the isolator to be able to supply enough current to power the Solo. Maximum supply current differs between isolators.
2. Some isolator models don't play nicely with recording devices - they do fine with DACs though.

 

[DVDdoug]

That's weird... It's a "power line buzz", right? Not a high-pitched whine?

And this is happening when you're not running Audacity (or any application)?

Does it happen with nothing plugged-into the Focusrite? I'm thinking maybe a bad microphone cable...

 

[Mortimmerr]

That's weird... It's a "power line buzz", right? Not a high-pitched whine?

And this is happening when you're not running Audacity (or any application)?

Does it happen with nothing plugged-into the Focusrite? I'm thinking maybe a bad microphone cable...

If I unplug the microphone end, and leave the XLR plugged into the solo, it shows 0% mic activity. Not sure if that proves or disproves your theory. Again, I've tried 2 different XLR cables with the same issue. If you think its the cable, could you recommend reputable XLR?

 

[Mortimmerr]

Hi @Mortimmerr! Welcome to ASR.

Does the direct monitoring still work with the Solo plugged into a power bank or phone charger?
(USB-A recommended to avoid issues with overvoltage and charging protocol handshake)

If so, just to test, try powering the Solo that way and listen if the hum is gone.

If it's gone, try bringing the mic close to your PC to test if it's picking up EMI due to a poorly shielded capsule.

Still nothing? Then all that you need is a USB isolator to plug between your PC and the Solo.

Here's a list of a few different models:

Topping HS01
Topping HS02
Hifime High-Speed USB Isolator v2
JDS Synapse
Neutron HiFi Isolator V1
DSD TECH SH-G01L
Olimex USB-ISO-HS

There are two complications:

1. You need the isolator to be able to supply enough current to power the Solo. Maximum supply current differs between isolators.
2. Some isolator models don't play nicely with recording devices - they do fine with DACs though.

Hey! I tried this, power bank USB-A to USB-C(into Solo) with direct monitoring on and it was still buzzing. What further steps need to be taken, or does this imply I need an isolater?

 

[Sokel]

Is the Solo near potential noise sources? Like routers, led lamps with cheapo PSU's, display, PC's PSU, etc?

Does any of these noise sources also connect to the same mains outlet? Are there any motors of some kind at the same grid (like fridge, A/C, etc?

Try eliminating the above and also try what happens if you move the Solo instead of the mic.

 

[staticV3]

Hey! I tried this, power bank USB-A to USB-C(into Solo) with direct monitoring on and it was still buzzing. What further steps need to be taken, or does this imply I need an isolater?

If the buzz is still there with the signal chain being just MV7X->XLR->Solo->USB->Powerbank, with nothing else connected except headphones, then the culprit is likely a poorly shielded microphone picking up EMI from somewhere in the environment.

Next step I'd take is contact Shure regarding a potentially faulty mic.