Microphone that doesnt pick up keyboard noises

_detayLd

_detayLd

New Member
So I've been searching for a microphone that records high quality audio and doesn't pick up keyboard noises. I've noticed the microphone thread here and also looked at what popular Youtubers' use; all seems pretty similar.

I'm using a guitar hero microphone that was meant for the PS3, but still works "fine" on the PC. I use Dxtory set-up with two audio channels, one for game and one for microphone. This is so I can have two tracks available to edit in Sony Vegas.

If it is not possible to find a microphone that wont pick up keyboard noises (or at least be designed in such a way that it focuses on voices instead of taps and bumps) , how can i negate this issue? Will I need to use software as well as a good quality microphone? I'm after advice from someone who has a process which they use and know works. Not just someone taking a stab in the dark and guessing as I'm not keen on throwing $100+ down the toilet for nothing.

So far I've been interested in Audio Techinca 2020 - but I dont know what the end result would be.

This video would be the best example of what I dont want, this is the BEST i can get at the moment and I hate it. It's terrible. /watch?v=PvbHXNtOKHI (I use a PS3 controller instead of the keyboard, unless im drag racing in which case I use the keyboard.
 
Omnidirectional Microphones would be your best shot, but also, vibrations from the keyboard to your desk can also amplify the volume of the keyboard sound, so i'd recommend attaching your scissor stand (if any) furthur away, and making sure it's tight. You could also use the noise removal feature of Adobe Audition, where you take a couple seconds of a sample (Shift+P) then Highlight all the audio and it will attempt to removal any sound similar (keyboard sound if that's all you sampled) using CTRL+Shift+P. Hope this helped.
 
KloudAlpha said:
Omnidirectional Microphones would be your best shot, but also, vibrations from the keyboard to your desk can also amplify the volume of the keyboard sound, so i'd recommend attaching your scissor stand (if any) furthur away, and making sure it's tight. You could also use the noise removal feature of Adobe Audition, where you take a couple seconds of a sample (Shift+P) then Highlight all the audio and it will attempt to removal any sound similar (keyboard sound if that's all you sampled) using CTRL+Shift+P. Hope this helped.
Click to expand...
Not at all... An omnidirectional microphone is the worst possible choice you could make if you don't want it to pick up ambient noise, including a keyboard.

What you want, ideally, is a good shock mounted cardioid dynamic microphone. Preferably not touching the same desk/table your keyboard's on. The Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB is a good, cheap (~$60), USB dynamic microphone. Looking around, I see people saying the On Stage MY-420 shock mount fits that microphone, though I obviously can't guarantee it.

Those things are really your best bets, though bear in mind, they won't completely eliminate your keyboard sounds. If you can hear your keyboard, so can your mic.

You might want to look into noise gating using Audacity (or Adobe Audition, etc. if you have them) to gate out most of the keyboard noises, but be aware that getting gating correct can be tricky.
 
NalaNosivad said:
Not at all... An omnidirectional microphone is the worst possible choice you could make if you don't want it to pick up ambient noise, including a keyboard.

What you want, ideally, is a good shock mounted cardioid dynamic microphone. Preferably not touching the same desk/table your keyboard's on. The Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB is a good, cheap (~$60), USB dynamic microphone. Looking around, I see people saying the On Stage MY-420 shock mount fits that microphone, though I obviously can't guarantee it.

Those things are really your best bets, though bear in mind, they won't completely eliminate your keyboard sounds. If you can hear your keyboard, so can your mic.

You might want to look into noise gating using Audacity (or Adobe Audition, etc. if you have them) to gate out most of the keyboard noises, but be aware that getting gating correct can be tricky.
Click to expand...
Of course, I meant Unidirectional. :P But yeah, having it on a separate desk would be the best option
 
What you're battling mostly in this is whats called "Mechanical Coupling" in the audio world, that means the sound is actually being transduced through the medium of your desk into the mic stand and into the mic. So, what you need to do is mechanically decouple your keyboard from the same surface as the mic.

Cheap Solutions to Reduce Mechanical Coupling
  • Buy some foam sheets from HomeDepot and put them under your keyboard.
  • Keyboard on a Pillow.
  • Keyboard on a TV Tray in front of the desk.
More Expensive Options
  • Shock Mounts.
  • Mic Stands ( Free Standing ).
  • Mic Arms Attached to another surface.
Now to reduce the in-air sound waves from the keyboard you can get a GoBo / Mic Shield, you might have to place your monitors a bit higher to see over this ( perhaps put this on a free floating mic stand to kill two birds with one stone ). This will definately reduce unwanted sounds from the backside of the Mic's pickup pattern.
Heres a video on how to build a GoBO for ~$10. Here - /watch?v=WFVqcEpg6_c

Hope that helps!

-WC
 
WarpCouch said:
What you're battling mostly in this is whats called "Mechanical Coupling" in the audio world, that means the sound is actually being transduced through the medium of your desk into the mic stand and into the mic. So, what you need to do is mechanically decouple your keyboard from the same surface as the mic.

Cheap Solutions to Reduce Mechanical Coupling
  • Buy some foam sheets from HomeDepot and put them under your keyboard.
  • Keyboard on a Pillow.
  • Keyboard on a TV Tray in front of the desk.
More Expensive Options
  • Shock Mounts.
  • Mic Stands ( Free Standing ).
  • Mic Arms Attached to another surface.
Now to reduce the in-air sound waves from the keyboard you can get a GoBo / Mic Shield, you might have to place your monitors a bit higher to see over this ( perhaps put this on a free floating mic stand to kill two birds with one stone ). This will definately reduce unwanted sounds from the backside of the Mic's pickup pattern.
Heres a video on how to build a GoBO for ~$10. Here - /watch?v=WFVqcEpg6_c

Hope that helps!

-WC
Click to expand...


Awesome thank you! I think free standing would be the best option in this case, thanks for the detailed answer too highly appreciated.
 
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