Microphone static issues (on-board), would a sound card fix?

[Freddy1765]

I've been having some peculiar issues with my microphone lately. For a long time it worked really well, but then out of the blue my friends on Skype started complaining of issues, mainly loud static noise.
I have no idea how to fix it, literally tried everything. Uninstalling and reinstalling drivers, trying different jacks..

I'm quite sure it's not the microphone itself as it's been working for a long time without issues.

I've decided that, in the event throwing money at the problem will fix it, that's what I'll do. So, the question is: could a cheap sound card remove the static noise? Assuming the static is from the on-board electronics (and potentially crappy realtek drivers).

Thanks.

 

[ronbo613]

I would try another microphone before buying a sound card.

 

[Freddy1765]

Perhaps, but I'm concerned the problem will persist.

 

[corkyg]

Borrow another microphone to see if problem persists. It could very well be in the mike's connector or cable. Try and fault isolate before spending money on anything.

 

[piasabird]

Get a digital Microphone.

 

[nerp]

Most likely it is the microphone, actually.

 

[Apoplexy]

I disagree with the above posters. I was having issues with static in the background as well as annoying pops/crackles with my brand new modmic. Contacted technical support and they told me I should try a USB soundcard, and it completely fixed my problem. This is the card they recommended.

 

[nerp]

I disagree with the above posters. I was having issues with static in the background as well as annoying pops/crackles with my brand new modmic. Contacted technical support and they told me I should try a USB soundcard, and it completely fixed my problem. This is the card they recommended.

He needs to test the mic before ruling that it is the soundcard.

 

[Freddy1765]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I've purchased a ModMic since a friend of mine recommended it, it was supposed to arrive today but didn't. Hopefully it'll be here tomorrow.

I do actually have an external sound card, Asus Xonar U7, but I don't use the mic jack on it because it causes a high-pitched screech when I do (that my friends hear on Skype). I suppose it's some kind of feedback, but it doesn't happen when I use the on-board on my Maximus Hero VII. Perhaps Asus simply implement terrible sound solutions on their hardware, sadly that doesn't help me much at this point!

I'm curious to see if a new mic will somehow fix everything, otherwise I suppose I'll purchase a cheap USB sound card similar to what was linked by Apoplexy earlier in the thread.

 

[Freddy1765]

I've now received my ModMic, and the static is still present.
I'm really at a loss here; on-board has static, external sound card Asus Xonar U7 has static, and the cheap USB-sound card dongle i bought also has static.
It's quite loud as well, according to Audacity and my friends on Skype. I've no idea what to do..

 

[ronbo613]

I've now received my ModMic, and the static is still present.
I'm really at a loss here; on-board has static, external sound card Asus Xonar U7 has static, and the cheap USB-sound card dongle i bought also has static.
It's quite loud as well, according to Audacity and my friends on Skype. I've no idea what to do..

Static is an electrical or electronic problem that you can hear. Look for loose wires and connections. Perhaps a bunch of wires or cables that are too close to each other. Terminals on computer cards and modules can become oxidized or dirty over time, consider checking and cleaning those. How about the headphone/microphone jacks? Are they worn out or have bad solder connections?


Start at the microphone jack and follow the wires.

 

[Freddy1765]

Static is an electrical or electronic problem that you can hear. Look for loose wires and connections. Perhaps a bunch of wires or cables that are too close to each other. Terminals on computer cards and modules can become oxidized or dirty over time, consider checking and cleaning those. How about the headphone/microphone jacks? Are they worn out or have bad solder connections?


Start at the microphone jack and follow the wires.

New mic, same issue. The problem is either drivers or hardware, but I don't know how to solve it. I formatted my PC today and reinstalled drivers, which didn't change anything.

 

[ronbo613]

New mic, same issue. The problem is either drivers or hardware, but I don't know how to solve it. I formatted my PC today and reinstalled drivers, which didn't change anything.

The first tool of nearly any troubleshooting sequence is visual inspection. Take the side cover off the computer, look and see if there is a loose wire, bad solder joints, anything that doesn't look right.