Noise Floor: What It Means For Your Recordings

The noise floor is the background noise present alongside the sound you want to record. You may notice it most clearly in pauses, quiet phrases or after processing makes quieter details more audible. Finding its source is more useful than immediately replacing equipment or adding a noise-removal plug-in.

Separate The Room From The Recording Chain

A microphone can capture unwanted sound in the room, including traffic, ventilation and computer fans. The recording chain can also contribute noise, including microphone self-noise, preamp noise or electrical interference. Several sources can appear in the same take.

These sources need different responses. A fan inside an enclosure remains inside with the microphone. Treatment that reduces reflections does not automatically stop noise entering through the structure. Read our treatment and isolation guide before choosing a room solution.

Keep Measurements In Context

A noise reading needs a reference. A digital recording level expressed in dBFS and an acoustic sound-pressure measurement expressed in dB SPL describe different things. They cannot be compared as if they were the same measurement.

In a recording, gain, microphone position and processing affect the observed level. Lowering the entire track makes both the voice and background quieter; it does not by itself improve their relationship. Keep settings consistent when comparing samples, and judge the noise alongside a representative performance.

Investigate One Change At A Time

• Listen during a pause: Note whether you hear steady hiss, a tonal hum, a fan or occasional outside sounds.
• Check the location: Compare what you hear with nearby equipment and activity outside the room.
• Keep a reference take: Record the normal voice or instrument level as well as room tone so a quieter meter reading is not mistaken for a better recording.
• Change one ordinary variable: Try a different microphone position or move a noisy computer farther away when practical. Keep safe ventilation available and follow equipment instructions.
• Retest: Compare the original and changed setup before buying a solution.

Use A Booth For The Problem It Can Address

A modular booth is designed to reduce sound transmission; interior treatment addresses reflections. Neither promises to remove every noise from the recording chain. For LA Vocal Booths, Standard ventilation is intended between recordings or during rehearsal; Premium is designed for recording with ventilation running. Review the ventilation choices in the context of your sessions.

Leave Cleanup For The Remaining Problem

Noise reduction can introduce audible changes, so listen to the wanted voice or instrument as carefully as the silence between phrases. Aim for a usable source recording before relying on processing. If the room remains the obstacle, bring your observations and measurements to Sales.

Further reading: Shure's guide to identifying audio noise and Shure's audio guide, including microphone self-noise, and iZotope on decibel reference scales.