Where the Microphone Experts at?

[Dr. Orange]

So I need some help with this one.

 

I have finally fixed my Shure SM58 Microphone after about 5 months of procrastination. I got a adapter that turns the XLR cable to a 1/4 inch and one for a 1/4 to a 1/8. After plugging it in I tried recording with it and it was clicking, buzzing and sounded a bit odd. I went to manage my audio and tried listening to myself speak with it on and it came only through one headphone. So my questions are:

 

1.) Would this mean that the microphone is only one channel?

 

2.) Is there a way I can remove the clicks and buzzing?

 

Also I swear, is this white backdrop for text is really getting on my nerves. You know how hard it is to read Orange text in white?

[DZComposer]

The Shure SM58, like most mics, is a single-channel. It is up to whatever you plug that mic into to mix it out to two or more.

My guess is that the noise you are getting is from your chain of adapters and probably from your soundcard as well. Keep in mind that XLR is a balanced connection. This helps reduce noise. If you're using a consumer soundcard, the mic-in will be an unbalanced two-channel 1/8" TRS connector. The mic is not designed for that specification. It may have the same number of wires, but it is putting a balancing signal on the third wire rather than an entire different channel.

You should consider investing in an audio interface. It will have either XLR inputs or it will have balanced 1/4" TRS inputs. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/audio-interfaces

If you do get an AI and it is only TRS, make sure you get an XLR -> TRS cable and not an XLR -> TS cable. And I do mean a cable with XLR on one end and TRS on another ( http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/live-wire-trs--xlrf-patch-cable ). Avoid adapters as much as possible. Adapters = noise.

TS: ===|>

TRS: ===|=|>

Also, I noticed you said you "fixed" the mic. Mind explaining why was wrong and what you did to fix it?

[Sarita]

On the note of the orange text on white, yes, yes I do know how hard it is to read, I use the white theme. ;P

 

As far as the microphone, though, can you post an audio file so that we can hear the clicks and buzzing? I can't tell from description if this is something a pop filter might fix.

[Dr. Orange]

Alright. So I have the tests here. The First two are from a different recording Software than what I usually use where the channel is split. 

 

http://www.qfpost.com/file/d?g=E2xuVy7IG  <--- My Shure Mic

http://www.qfpost.com/file/d?g=QrASFeQOb  <--- The Mic I use on TF2

 

Now this is the Test I did on FL Studio recording. The hissing and clicking part.

 

http://www.qfpost.com/file/d?g=UMcAAhrfg <--- My Shure Mic

http://www.qfpost.com/file/d?g=Y66YGua98 <--- The Mic I use on TF2

 

Sorry about needing to download.

[Dr. Orange]

Alright. Save for interface and avoid adapters. Thanks DZ.

 

Also. What I meant by "fixing" was that awhile back I have no clue what exactly happened but my dad dropped the mic for a family birthday party seeing If we could use it for broadcasting messages across our backyard. (He has a Line 6 guitar amp with a XLR input.) Yet hooking it unto the stand he dropped it and it didn't work. One of the wires popped off. So I fixed it by paying someone to fix it. :3

[DZComposer]

Seeing as the mic was damaged, it may be forever noisy.

But even if the noise is from the repair job, you'd be better-off with an AI anyway. The lower latency will make multitrack recording a much more pleaeant experience and overall recording quality will be a cut above what your bulit-in soundcard can do.

Luckily, if the mic is hosed, SM58s are cheap. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/shure-sm58-mic

Though, seriously, don't buy Shure mics off of Ebay or Craigslist. There are lots of fake Shure Mics out there. These fakes may look like a Shure mic, but they don't sound like one. They sound like shit. It may also be plausible that the person who fixed it swapped it for a fake, but I don't know the circumstances.

[Dr. Orange]

Well from the video, I have a legit Shure mic. That I do know.