Hello everyone! I'm having some issues with noise coming out of my SM57. I did lots of tests to see if it maybe was my computer, my interface, or my cables, but it ended up being the mic. I tried all of those in different combinations and with my other mic (Rode NT1ss). Anyone know how can I fix this or what might be causing it? I attached a sample of the noise below.

update: I don't know if this is better or worse (probably worse). The noise seems to come from the combination of the 57 and the Audient EVO 8. I tried the 57 with my Behringer UPhoria umc22 and didn't get the electrical noise. Just the hiss from the interface.
By the way, I tested it on the EVO 8 with phantom power turned ON and OFF on a different channel, so that's not it

Thank you!

 

Last edited: Mar 22, 2025

Have you installed the latest EVO8 Windows Driver (v4.4.0)?
Are you using an XLR connector?
Try a different cable.

It could also be that you're experiencing electromagnetic fields/interference.
Try moving the EVO somewhere else.
Try changing the power outlet or checking the EVO's battery.

Did you accidentally press the 48V phantom power button?
Have you tried a different socket?
How old is the EVO8?

 

It definitely sounds like it's picking up some garbage signals in the air probably as the result of some kind of grounding issue. It also sounds like it's a result of the interaction of that specific mic and that specific interface and it requires that combination to happen and that sort of thing is almost impossible to troubleshoot. Obviously I would double check the cord since you didn't specifically bring it up, although I assume you have already ruled that out. But since it's that mic with that interface I would say use a different mic or use a different interface rather than go through the frustration of figuring it out. Remember the old joke of a guy going to a doctor and says, "hey Doc, it hurts every time I do this" and the doctor says "well don't do that".

 

Stop trying to talk or sing into it

 

Oh, how does the Evo 8 get its power, from USB or from a wall wart? I know the Behringer powers via USB and that may be part of the equation, try a ground lift on the Evo's power supply if that's how it's powered.
Edit, never mind I just looked Audient up and obviously that's not it

 

@Smeghead, that's not an answer to his question, but rather a complete capitulation and a failure to solve the problem.

 

I'll try other usb ports, why not

 

I'm not, I wanted it to use it as a stereo close up mi c on classical guitar

 

OP -
For #1 the SM57 is a dynamic mic. Do not try to run it with phantom power. #2 - Have you tried plugging the SM57 and XLR cable into a analog mixer (or mic preamp) and just listened to the bare mic alone without any digital interfaces?

I'd be willing to bet (after listening to the given audio example of the noise) that you're picking up "digital" noise from either (or both) an external source (computers in the room), or an internal source such as noise from a sound card or digital audio interface.

 

Last edited: Mar 22, 2025

Dynamic mics are passive devices so they cannot produce any electrical interference noises by themselves. They can only pick it up from the environment, or through the cable. The problem is either Audient, or cable, and it could be the grounding issue with your computer, PSU, or motherboard. Have you tried a different USB? Do you have a laptop? Try with a laptop if you can. Since they're battery powered, that could resolve the issue if USB/MBO/PSU is to blame.

 

How long have you had the microphone, and are you shure that it is an original and not a fake?

 

You're not wrong but I'm still offering it as legitimate advice.

 

Sounds like bitcrushed garbled noise. Nothing like regular noise from electricity or interference in the cables. Sounds digital to me.

I would recommend replacing the USB cable and trying a different USB port, especially one directly from the board in the back. I would also look into getting rid of the drivers and installing it over again. Also check if you can reset the interface to avoid any leftover variables.

Trying it in a different PC that never saw that interface is also a good idea. This is not really the usual case of electrical noise, and seeing that a different interface worked fine, I believe the issue is with the EVO8 itself. The only thing to verify is if it's an internal issue or between PC-interface.

 

The problem was not the 57, it was the EVO, and it keeps getting worse and worse

 

Pleae ask AUDIENT:

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Some USB audio interfaces have crappy power supply lines ( no filtering just straight through).
I own a small Behringer UMC204HD and been quite happy with this with no issues of noise, however since these
usb interfaces have poor gain amps since they don't have their own external power supplies I bought the Alctron MA-2 Dual Channel Microphone Preamp box that gives +25dB gain without any coloration.

This allows you to use XLR phantom power to power it up on the XLR outs of the MA-2 and your Dynamic mics go on the other side of the MA-2 inputs.

Why is this important? Because you have now made a fully XLR balanced connection with your dynamic mic but with +25DB of clean amplification and your main XLR input on your interface can now be turned down so you get less noise.


If that mic is plugged into a Mixer and is completely clean then it's your interface ( noise from USB lines) and there is no loose wiring on the mic. If the Mic has the same noise on a Mixer take the mic apart and look at the XLR wiring to see if there is a ground wire loose or soldering that is loose.

Many years ago there were some USB in the middle man devices to clean up the USB power line ( USB power Line ISO boxes)

I also used to hack off the power lines on a USB cable and use an external power adapter to power older USB interfaces but modern USB interfaces have issues with this. However this worked very well of course and I used this for many years, no hum and no line noises.

The MA-2 Boxes are a secret tool in order to drive down noise on cheaper interfaces gain amps.

 

I get that kind of noises with my audio gear by the past, the cause came from the audio cables.

The old cables were unbalanced, when i change for balanced cables (TRS) no more noise.

Unbalanced cables took every electrical interference noise from my computer (Hard disk noise) and from electrical cables from my config.

Balanced cables have two black rings on the jack.

 

XLR-to-XLR microphone cables use a balanced three-pin design: one for the positive signal, one for the negative (inverted) signal, and one for ground. This arrangement suppresses electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), which is crucial in noisy environments like stages or recording studios. Unlike unbalanced cables, XLRs ensure that your vocals or instruments are transmitted without distortion.

 

Last edited: Nov 4, 2025

To the last replies: I get this sound without cables connected as well. I made a new post regarding the issue with the interface