Computer Mic Picking Up Fan Noise When Recording

[sjoens 487]

When recording "notes to self" using built-in laptop soundcard & mic array and any audio recorder, the results include  the cooling fan cycling on and off.

The fan is quiet by ear but on the recording you'd think it's the loudest thing in the room.

Fan cycles 4 min ON, 2 min OFF.

I had an old boom box cassette deck internal mic that would do the same thing recording motor noise.

This can't be normal?!

Sample: (silence - fan start/stop - silence)

lp fan (5).mp3

Edited September 30, 2022 by sjoens

[Max Arwood 276]

Yes it is. 

[OutrageProductions 43]

Mechanical transmission through the chassis from the fan to the onboard mic is difficult to eliminate. Maybe try a small, cheap plugin lavalier or desktop mic?

<$10 on Amazon

Edited September 30, 2022 by OutrageProductions

[Max Arwood 276]

Any outboard would be better. You can’t expect to get a great recording without a little outboard equipment. You might see producers using a laptop, but they are not using an inboard mic. There are plenty of outboard usb setups that are descent. Maybe some one here will chime in with some suggestions. 

[Will. 558]

I want to be sarcastic with this one 😂 but i wont.

With laptops theres no way to get around this unfortunetly. Even condenser mics picks up the A/C in your studio including other noises. 

Because its a built-in mic the motor of the fan vibrates through the casing/chasis of the laptop in to the mic creating the hum and air noice you hear, even when its quiet to the naked ear - considering where the mic sits and fan is located in that tiny case. 

If this was with outboad gear, I wouldve suggested you check all wall sockets for earth leak related issues and even in your cables, but - yeah: There's no way to avoid/isolate/remove these noises within a laptop.

Grab yourself the BM-800 condenser mic kit for as little as $8. Its crazy how decent this mic sounds for its price -  that's why it's so popular amongst the youth and podcasters on youtube today.  

Edited September 30, 2022 by Will.

[sjoens 487]

Thanks guys. Fan's in the base. Mic's at the top of the screen by the cam. You'd think they'd isolate it better than this. I may have a cheap mic stashed around somewhere.