iSight Mic Records High Pitched Noise (SOLUTION)

[danabobana]

thanks helped me :)

[aceblade]

@danabobana Glad I could!

[kcryderm]

@danabobana That noise can also come from two other places: wireless internet router and, if you have a Mac, anything plugged into the firewire (timer issue).

[masterkey1950]

Very interesting. I just got a camcorder that is making recordings with the same noise. The fact that your noise clears up tells me that its not the analog audio signal. I will do some checking, but right now my best guess is the video AGC is wide open with the low light, generating a lot of processor hash and noise. You added light causing the AGC to clamp down the signal level and then moved back to your black background and no noise. Exercising the AGC fixes it. Interesting.

[SafeArmsReview]

wow I hope that apple will recognize this problem and fix it.

I will give this a shot and hopefully it will work. Thanks for posting this quick fix.

:)

[Nevanator7]

the same type things happen to the ipod nano

[ZaxlDaisy]

This solution only worked when ambient reduction was on

[jedbeetle]

This high pitched noise is second only to self-destroying batteries as the absolute crappiest feature of a laptop, and this MacBook has both problems...

[00viperXX]

Your getting 60hz buzz from your other equipment like lights. Your best bet is to keep all power cables as far from your mic cable. You could also record/sample your room with just noise and super impose it inverted and it will cancel out your noise. You can also run a noise algorithm. Also consider buying a mic with a ground IE: XLR cable mic and interface don't buy usb mics.

-Luke

[aceblade]

@00viperXX Hey Luke, the mic is built into the computer, alongside the built in iSight webcam. I've tried recording with and without lights and the noise is there regardless. I've noticed the sound coming from within the computer. I think it's the camera...but maybe a fan. I'm really not sure. I just know a quick fix is to tap the top of the computer when the sound is heard. Makes it go away for a while.

[00viperXX]

@aceblade Is your monitor lcd? You could be getting the interference from the fan too. If you tap the top of the computer It very well could be your mic is not in good condition.

[TheAbyssGazes]

Hey Thanks. Working in a brighter room does get rid of the buzzing. Thank you.

[bowd19]

it does help but... why not just use a separate mic? surely if you can afford to randomly splash out on a soft box, you can afford to buy a fairly cheap condenser microphone, and it would give you better sound quality than the build in one any ways =]

[autumnzone1]

Hey there

Well picked up, I had narrowed it down to the camera itself but was stumped.. Unfortunately, even when I shine a bright light into it, or move it around, whenever I move it back to my regular lighting the sound returns. I guess this is something I will just have to live with.

[aceblade]

Hey Autumn, this may sound silly, but while recording in iMovie, try tapping the top of your monitor (where the camera is). Then stop recording and play back what you've recorded and see if the noise stops after you've tapped. This works for me MUCH better than the shining light technique.

[DMcLeanUWE]

unfortunately my camera seems to just readjust then the noise comes back - any other ideas dude? =[

[autumnzone1]

Hi Aceblade

Thanks for the suggestion, unfortunately it doesn't make a difference for me, the sound stays the same. Was worth a try though!

[accartwright]

it hurts

[syloarts]

OMG... thank you making this video. It's so helpful :)

Take Care, Much Love.

SYL

[rymdskrotet]

What Does Apple and their support have to say about this issue with the built in iSight camera? It's so annoying... =(

Regards,

Spacedebree

[aceblade]

I'm really not sure, Spacedebree. The apple forums regarding the issue aren't very helpful at all.

I found the best remedy is tapping the top of my iMac (where the internal camera is) during a test recording. It seems to make the sound go away.

[jedbeetle]

@aceblade I've been trying this and it does nothing for me D: are the forums really barren???

[aceblade]

@jedbeetle Ya, the light trick doesn't work that well for me anymore either. I've resorted to tapping the top of my computer (where the mic/camera is) during recording and it seems to eliminate the sound for a short while. When I was looking up a fix last year I really couldn't find anything worthwhile.

[merlucco]

the better way is to have a sort of eq plugin in imovie that cut the frequencies at 8k and it goes away. i must find it

[merlucco]

but the problem remains because when you came back to the darker light the autoexposure starts to work and so the beeping noise coem back. Ive tried IGLASSES to block exposure, ma it's a software blocking. I need an hardware blocking system for the autoexposure of the isight. If you block the autoexposure the beeping noise goes away. another way is to cut with en EQ the 8000hz. But this isn't for "normal" people. So.. let's block the auto exposure by hardware. how ca we do that?

[aceblade]

I'm not sure, merlucco. Another quick (yet very weird) fix is to tap the top of the iMac (just above the iSight) during recording. I find that fixes the noise for me.

[merlucco]

Hi aceblade. I've got the same problem. I can tell you what's that makes that beeping noise. It is the auto-exposure of the isight camera. When you have darker light the auto-exposure works to give you the bes tlight. When it works it makes taht beeping noise. In fact if you put a light into the isight the beeping noise stops because the autoexposure reduce the range of the isight exposure. Strange ja? You said to put tha isight in front of a light and then the problem goes away.

[mtbazman]

Wow I would have never thought of the web cam it self what be the reason for making the noise.

[Jesseshutup]

Hey,

Do you record your videos on a build in isight?

Because it has "high quality" option

and i didn't know they had that great resolution

[aceblade]

Yes, I do, Jesseshutup. You can get the high quality option too. Just upload 640x480and you'll get the option... or, if you want widescreen, go with 640x360

[Jesseshutup]

Alright,

Thanks alot man!

[JosephHonKong]

is it best to record in photobooth, or to just use it in imovie? or does it not make a difference, thanks!

[aceblade]

I worked in iMovie, JosephHonKong.

[NykiLuvzMakeup]

omg I love you. this totally fixed it! thaaaaaank you!

[aceblade]

I'm glad it helped, NykiLuvzMakeup!

[pixonu]

It TOTALLY is the light. WTF what a major design flaw!!

Thanks for pointing this out to me, I did the test and put it directly into my halogen lamp... It works, but is still slightly audible.

Oh well, i'll just have to buy a flip cam or something. lol

[aceblade]

Want to know another trick, pixonu? While recording, give the top of your monitor (right above the iSight) a quick tap with your finger. Now play back your recording and see if the noise stops after you hit it.

:)

[pixonu]

Will try it out next time I record. Thanks :)

[BulletteKitty]

hopefully your solution helps some people, i don't have isight cam but i do have a built in webcam on my dell laptop and it does crackle like static on a tv sometimes..

[thornekatt]

that was really weird,but you're so clever to have figured that out. you're so smart :]

[aceblade]

I can't take the credit for this one. I watched a quick video where someone shined a flashlight into the camera. So I thought I'd play around with that idea,

thornekatt!

[kthxrae]

hm. that's so weird. but i totally noticed it on my macbook.

[TechPepsi]

I think he means, externally..

[aceblade]

No, I meant the built in one, TechPepsi. It's a problem I've got with my iMac.

[pixonu]

Annoying isn't it!! :)

[IgnitedSoul13]

What a weird, picky piece of technology. It seems to be anti-Vampire!

[iancorey]

Fascinating.