Analog background noise

It is certainly ground noise or a defective microphone connector (assuming it's not the cable that has problems).

To resolve this, try doing these things....

- Try using another cable. Even if the cable is new, it may have manufacturing defects.

- If the noise continues to be present... Once the cable is plugged into the microphone connector and the audio interface, try moving the connector to see if the noise increases, decreases, or disappears by moving the connector in its socket. Obviously, repeat this for the audio interface connector as well.

- If the noise continues to be present... (This is what I believe is most likely, but I put it last because it requires practice or spending a small amount of money, albeit a negligible one) If the audio interface has a separate power supply (if it's a MOTU, it will probably have a power adapter), try connecting the power adapter plug to an ungrounded electrical outlet or alternatively cut the ground on one of the two ends of an extension cord, or have a one-meter extension cord made without a ground (costing 6 euros).

If none of these things resolve your problem, it is likely a blown preamplification stage. In this case, you will need to take the microphone to a service center for the replacement of the BJT (which should cost about twenty euros if they are honest).

Hi Simon, the MOTU is powered only by the Mac and I have to rule out this test, but otherwise everything is as before, so I think it really is the mic, as you say.

I unplugged the cable from the mic while leaving the interface connected to the Mac and the cable connected to the interface; I recorded at TRIM +35 and the signal produced only hiss. Then I completely disconnected the cable (from the mic, obviously) from the interface and during recording, likewise, it produced only hiss without that background noise.

From this and from your tests, I deduce that it is not the interface and it is not the cable; I will take the mic to be repaired or I might just buy a new one, considering it's already several years old. I was thinking about a ribbon microphone, what do you think?

Thanks!!!!!

What are you supposed to record?

I don't like ribbon mics very much; they are too dark to be used as primary microphones. In fact, they are often used as microphones to reinforce frequency bands added to other microphones. For example, you record an acoustic guitar with a condenser and also use a ribbon to provide more depth. Furthermore, the ribbon is very easy to break. If you forget to turn off the phantom power, you'll break the ribbon immediately. In short, they don't blow me away. If you need a microphone to record a bit of everything, very versatile, there's the AKG 414, but you always have to see how much you want to spend.

Hi!

Basically, I need to record vocals.

I didn't know ribbon mics were used the way you describe, nor that they were so delicate! Thanks for telling me.

Unfortunately, I can't spend more than 400 euros, and if I could even squeeze in a pre for the mic, that would be ideal.

I have a very dark voice and I prefer a clear, clean, and transparent sound while keeping body and depth intact.

...Ribbon aside, what do you think of these? AKG Perception 220 - Rode NT1a (condenser)

Thanks for all the information!!!!!

it's not that I want a particularly bright mic, but just enough, considering that I have a dark voice at the source

I've had all the perceptions except for the 820. They didn't sincerely fascinate me that much, but that is my personal opinion. The only one I heard that I liked but haven't had is exactly the 820. The 420 wasn't bad either.

I am always of the opinion that in audio it is better to have a little but good rather than a lot of questionable quality. A microphone that doesn't cost an exorbitant amount and sounds really good is the CAD TRION 8000 (tube), I have it and I would never give it up! A small video of how it sounds here...

Between the two microphones you are posing, I would say the Rode with my eyes closed, but I propose this idea to you...

If the budget is 400 euros and you have to get a mic and a preamp out of it, with that money you'll get a microphone that is worth little and a preamp that is worth even less... Among other things, I seem to remember that as an audio interface you have a MOTU, so you will realize that once the microphone is taken out, with the remaining money you will get a preamp that will sound worse than your MOTU preamps. My advice is as follows: wait a month, set aside another 150 euros, and look for a used AKG 414 XLII (make sure to test it well and for a long time before buying it). It is an extremely versatile microphone; it is a must in every recording studio precisely because you can record everything well with it, from vocals to acoustic instruments, and you get a quality product that will sound great even just using the mic preamps of your audio interface. Alternatively, you could get the Trion 8000 right away, which is around your budget, but I don't know if it suits your voice... Keep in mind that being a tube mic, it colors the sound a little, and the Trion in particular makes it very thick/creamy. I like it; in my sonic image, that should be the right sound, but there are those who might not like it. Further down the line, if you want to get preamps, you will have to spend much larger sums because the logic is very simple: if you get a 500 euro preamp, it will be difficult to hear the difference. You feel the difference when you buy gear from 1500 euros up. At that point, you could opt for a stereo channel strip like the Avalon 737 SP. It costs a lot of money, but you have an absolutely high-performance machine plus a compressor and equalizer. In my opinion, spending 400 euros to get the NT1 and a preamp like the ones you find in an Easter egg is equivalent to throwing money away; then again, everyone is free to spend their money however they want. This is just my opinion.

P.S. There is also a little microphone that a friend from T-Bone discovered for me: the SC600, which is beautiful for vocals and costs really peanuts... About 80 euros on Thomann.

Here you can find the audio samples...

http://www.tbone-mics.com/en/produkt/information/details/the-tbone-sc600-studio-grossmembran-mikrofon/

Open content (youtube)

http://www.tbone-mics.com/en/produkt/information/details/the-tbone-sc600-studio-grossmembran-mikrofon/

Hi! thanks so much for the info!! Now I'm re-reading everything carefully

Since a friend offered to give me a Rode Nt1a (which they don't use), in the meantime I'll use that and continue to set money aside for something more heavy-duty as you suggest!

Thanks for everything, you are really kindddddd!!!

See you soon!

Well, as they say, don't look a gift horse in the mouth.... Anyway, the RODE NT1 is all things considered a good microphone, and if it's a gift, it becomes excellent!