I have an MXL 990 condenser microphone and sometimes when I use it there is a constant hum or beating noise like air hitting the mic. I can't seem to figure out what may be causing this. The circumstances are always the same: no a/c running, same computer/recording equipment on, time of day, etc. However, sometimes the noise is there and sometimes it isn't. When it's there, all I can do is turn it off and walk away for a day or more. I know the MXL 990 is cheap but shouldn't it suck all the time instead of occasionally sucking?
Many thanks.

Sounds like it's defective... not a surprise, the build quality of a lot of the cheap gear is wonky at best....
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Bruce Valeriani - Mix Engineer

check your xlr cables. might be bad.

I've read about this in several reviews on Musiciansfriend.com. They said the hum is while the microphone "warms up" and that it eventually fades off... or at least that was most of the cases I read about.

I had thought about getting me one of those until I read about that.

i have a similar problem, but it has only just started happening recently. i've had the MXL 990 for about three years with no major qualms. recently, i get a loud hum when i turn on the mic, but if i touch the metal part of the cable it decreases and if i touch the metal casing of the microphone it gets MUCH worse. any ideas, suggestions or help would be great. thanx.

If your connections and cables are properly soldered, wait for a few mins for the Mic's components to "Warm up" if you still hear hum, you probably have an earthing problem.

Cheers...

Thanks for the quick reply Chief.

Connexions and cables are fine, i've also got my mixing desk plugged into a different socket from the rest of my appliances. i've tried not to have any power and sound cables running parallel to each other. i've also waited for any warm up and it's made no difference.

do you have any advice for solving an earthing problem?!?

Thanks in advance.

裔龙

Proper Earthing requires earthing all your gear...
well some how all your gear is actually coneected to each other...so try wiring your PC's And Mixer's Chassis to any metal tap or pipe in your kitchen or toilet. This is a very Simple yet effective technique. Standard earthing techniques would cost u more... but this one should work quite well...

Note:- If your gear is turned on while you are trying this ... you will notice some sparks as the wire touches the metal Tap or Pipe ... It is harmless and worth watching ...loooool .. if this happens earthing is Done

Cheers..

thanks for the help Chief,

i don't really understand why, but by plugging my mixing desk into the same power adapter as my computer, as opposed to having my desk in a different socket, the hum has disappeared.

happy, but i've been spending so much time looking at new microphones, i think i'm gunna have to buy one

cheers and beers...

congractulations


Think About Rode Nt1 ......

Cheers..

cheers, the rode NT1-A was exactly the mic that i was looking at. only problem is i live in a fairly remote part of china. i think i'm gunna have to make a trip to Shanghai in the upcoming winter holi's to pick it up.

thanks again. 裔龙