Eliminating White Noise in Audio-Technica AT2020 Recordings

Are unwanted white noise or background noise hindering your recordings with the Audio-Technica AT2020 microphone? Sometimes white noise can be challenging to get rid of, primarily when the recordings are for professional use, such as podcasts, streaming, or conferencing. Even though the AT2020 is a high-quality, popular choice for voice recordings, it is still susceptible to some white noise interference.

1. Optimize your recording environment: Begin by identifying the sources of external noise around your recording area. These may include HVAC systems, traffic, and people talking nearby. Soundproof or isolate the room to reduce the impact of these noise sources on your recordings.

2. Check your cable, connections, and settings: Make sure you have a good quality shielded cable for connecting the microphone to your interface. Sometimes a poorly shielded cable can cause interference. Ensure all connections are secure and clean, as loosened connections can introduce noise. Often, people forget to disable their computer's internal microphones. Make sure to select the AT2020 as the audio source and disable any other audio input devices.

3. Use a high-pass filter: A high-pass filter (HPF) is an excellent tool for cutting out unwanted low-frequency noise in the recorded audio. Many audio interfaces and software allow the use of an HPF easily, so experimenting with the settings on this can help minimize some white noise.

4. Adjust the microphone gain: Sometimes, the microphone gain setting can be too high, which amplifies the background noise. Adjusting the gain to the optimal level can help reduce white noise. Test different gain settings and listen to the noise floor until you find the sweet spot.

5. Use noise reduction software: In post-production, you can use digital audio workstations (DAWs) that have built-in noise reduction software or plugins like Waves X-Noise, iZotope RX, or Audacity’s Noise Removal Tool. These tools can effectively reduce white noise in the recorded audio.

Remember, practice makes perfect, and learning the optimal settings and recording environment for your AT2020 will eventually minimize white noise in your recordings and allow you to produce high-quality audio consistently.