I did some test videos the other day that went fine, but today when I tried to make a regular video, there was a lot of weird background noise. Here is an example:



I am not sure what could be going on, because I didn't really change my set-up between then and now.

Here are the videos from the other day, where I'm testing out the three different settings on the microphone. If you could, please listen and let me know which one you think is best.

Setting 1:
Setting 2:
Setting 3:

Thanks!

Hi, I think setting one on your tests was the best. Test 2 was distorting a little in the beginning (a bit too close to the mic maybe?), and test three had a little bit of what sounded like auto volume surging. The weird background noise, do you have a noise or wind filter on? your voice sounds clear enough , but lacks in the low end frequencies and the  background  has all its low frequencies  gone, so you may have your low cut filter on. Otherwise, your tests sound pretty good.

I agree that Testing one out of the three choices is the best. Test two and three have a little echo causing it to be distorted.

Yep test one is the best.

Thanks everyone! I'll stick with setting 1.

Hi, I think setting one on your tests was the best. Test 2 was distorting a little in the beginning (a bit too close to the mic maybe?), and test three had a little bit of what sounded like auto volume surging. The weird background noise, do you have a noise or wind filter on? your voice sounds clear enough , but lacks in the low end frequencies and the  background  has all its low frequencies  gone, so you may have your low cut filter on. Otherwise, your tests sound pretty good.

I don't remember setting anything, but I'll play with and see if there's something like that. I wonder if I might have clicked something on accident while exploring Audacity.

aha, you used Audacity (congrats) check your export settings as to what resolution you exported to. It may be a compression issue. The more you compress it, lower htz, or bitrates, will introduce those distortions like talking  down a tin tube kind of effect.Keep experimenting and you will sort it I am sure.

Ooooh.... I hope that's it, because that sounds like an easy thing to fix! I am hoping to have some time this weekend to play around with it. Thanks!

I am liking Audacity so far. I can see there's tons I will have to learn so that I can use it well, but it's fun to play with. I might one day graduate on to other software, but I'm assuming this one will be plenty for anything I'd need in the foreseeable future.

I had the Adobe CS5.5 complete suite...had Audition and then Soundbooth . I only use Audacity now. While there are other wizzy softwares out there, Audacity does everything I need to do. While it does have some clunky aspects, I am sure it will continue to improve as time goes on. I replaced photoshop with Gimp, After Effects with Blender, inkskape for illustrator, and am testing Cinelerra to replace Adobe Premiere, and synfig for 2D animation.  I run a Puppy linux system off a live CD or USB memory stick. If anyone is interested, I can  post a link to an ISO if you want to try it out. It  does have its quirks, but that is what I use.

Pagestep007, I would love the link. I used a shareware program, Goldwave, for years to edit my audio. Not fancy at all, but it did what I needed at the time. Worked with Audition for a little while. I liked the multi-tracking. I wish my ears were a little better, I can't always hear the little differences that filters and such make. I have inkscape since my computer with my Corel products crashed, and me without the install disks. I'll probably try out the other programs you listed, just to see what they can do.

I love gimp. I would use Blender if I had the time to learn - but too many projects already.

I'm an amateur Linux user. I mainly use Ubuntu, but just put Lubuntu on an old computer. After having gotten into Ubuntu, I've found it's my absolute favorite way to use a computer. I'm hoping to branch out to other distros, like Puppy. The more old tech I replace, the more linux machines I get. :D