Brian Cook, fix your mic!
Brian, I love ya, but please fix your mic. The podcasts have become unlistenable for me because there is constant mic noise in the background, like someone is perpetually adjusting it. This has been an issue (at least to me) for several years, but it keeps getting worse. It distracts from the content and makes me crazy. I would compare it to someone smacking gum throughout the podcast.
I’ve heard Brian say before that he has a condition where annoying, repetitive noises annoy him. I have the same affliction. So I am surprised this has continued for so long. That said, it’s getting worse. Given his condition I can’t imagine that Brian listens to the podcasts — he probably wouldn’t make it past the first section.
DM me your Venmo, and I’ll send $50 toward a new mic. I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is.
-----
[Ed-
I took home the offending mic and hit it with NAPA Silicone Spray. Here's 14 seconds of me moving my head around with it before the silicone:
https://www.mgoblog.com/sites/default/files/podcasts/crinkle%20tinkles%20and%20kids.mp3
and here's after:
https://www.mgoblog.com/sites/default/files/podcasts/no%20crinkle%20tinklesa.mp3
Spectrogram comparison:
The one crinkle-tinkle I managed to create was when I popped the wand to simulate how Brian's hair swings at it. If I can get it to just a few times a podcast it probably won't be a big deal. I *REALLY* hope that fixed it.]
August 26th, 2023 at 2:36 PM ^
Yeah. Agreed.
And also, his kids are always making noise in the background. But God bless 'em. Kids are the best.
August 26th, 2023 at 4:28 PM ^
I don't care about the kids in the background - it adds a human touch to the whole thing. Also, kids are adorable when they're bothering someone else!
But the mic issues... For me, Brian trails off a lot and often has a very low volume. So I end up blasting the volume when he's talking, and then Seth pipes in and I get blown out. It seems like his schtick now because it's been that way since I started listening years ago.
August 26th, 2023 at 4:42 PM ^
The knocking issue is something we will fix next podcast.
As for the volume, it's another moving target. We run the compressor 3 times to deal with the volume differences but one thing we can't fix is Brian has a vocal fry at the end of his sentences. It's a common thing in Midwestern speakers (and in young American women) to signify you're coming to a point, but male voices with a fry are a common headache for sound engineers. With women it's fine--they still are filling low tones (actually moving into spaces that male voices usually inhabit) that your ear picks up as vocalization. With a deep voice like Brian's however he leaves that space entirely and finishes his sentences in areas that typically get cut off by sound equipment because it's background noise. This is why I don't equalize the podcast at all--we'd lose entire parts of Brian's sentences. On the other hand the way he speaks is, you know, him. I'm not gonna start telling Brian to talk like someone else. I'm just going to adjust my voice down a bit more, and turn up his bass a bit more. This was our first time on a new board so my settings aren't perfected yet.
August 26th, 2023 at 4:59 PM ^
I have no issues with you or Brian's volume. I enjoy the energy of the podcasts, both in volume and in content.
I do however, despise the mic noise. It made it really hard to listen without taking a break.
And it is a really great series of podcasts.
August 26th, 2023 at 5:22 PM ^
Trust me I hate it the most.
August 26th, 2023 at 5:20 PM ^
Thank you Seth!
August 26th, 2023 at 7:24 PM ^
I honestly didn’t notice anything at all in these 2 podcasts this week, and now I feel like the OP is pointing out something that I now won’t be able to unhear all of a sudden. I could heard all content from all of those speaking clearly as far as i can remember.
Love the podcasts, no single college football team has better and more in-depth content than the MGoPodcast. Thank you all.
August 28th, 2023 at 9:32 AM ^
Was just thinking the same thing. I've had no problem at all, but now I bet I'll hear the issues. Hard to be mad at the OP for so politely encouraging quality improvement, but I hope doing it so publicly doesn't have negative impacts for people's experience (mine specifically haha)
August 26th, 2023 at 7:37 PM ^
What gear are you using?
August 26th, 2023 at 8:03 PM ^
Here's the equipment: hhttps://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1ETMMIOTY0E14?type=wishlist&filte…
Here's last year's setup. I haven't updated the graphic but we have a new board this year and replaced the amp below in 2019.
My laptop is still very old.
August 26th, 2023 at 8:27 PM ^
My laptop is still very old.
I am impressed it works with USB.
August 26th, 2023 at 9:56 PM ^
Maybe look into Zoom audio interface and recording equipment. I dabble in music recording and these devices always seem to get great reviews for content and podcasting. Also, Blue Yeti mics are great.
August 27th, 2023 at 8:37 AM ^
Ok cool. I have this board at work too. What’s mics do you have? I had similar issues that I’m working through so I may have an idea. Once I try my new setup I may have a suggestion for you. I’m not an audio engineer but I’ve worked with video and audio for sometime. I work out problems a lot and find people much smarter than me. Not knocking you guys, love the content. Always have.
August 27th, 2023 at 12:33 AM ^
Thanks for the explanation, Seth!! Now what I'm hearing makes sense and I'll be able to deal with it better than I have!
BTW, I love that you compared Brian to a girl. LMAO at that!!
August 26th, 2023 at 2:37 PM ^
Thanks for reminding me to listen to the defensive preview podcast.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:38 PM ^
Doesn't bother me. Maybe you should get over it and enjoy your free content
August 26th, 2023 at 2:40 PM ^
Which is why I want to contribute to a better mic.
He’s a professional podcaster now. This shouldn’t be an issue.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:42 PM ^
I can live with it, but it did make me think I had a blown speaker or something for about 10 mins, until I realized it was the podcast audio.
August 26th, 2023 at 4:03 PM ^
I apologize in advance, but due to your avatar I cannot resist:
"STFU Walter...you're outta your element"
August 26th, 2023 at 9:44 PM ^
I agree. Life's too short to bitch and moan about every small thing.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:42 PM ^
He has a condition where annoying, repetitive noises annoy him
If this is a "condition" then it afflicts 100% of the human race
August 26th, 2023 at 2:59 PM ^
Only slightly less than 50% - married men.
/ducks
August 26th, 2023 at 3:08 PM ^
If a man says something in the forest and no woman is there to hear him, is he still wrong?
/right next to you EGJ
August 26th, 2023 at 4:31 PM ^
Does this count as "annoying"?
August 26th, 2023 at 4:41 PM ^
It’s called misophonia, and according to google, there are under 200,000 cases per year. I can only assume they meant in my house.
August 26th, 2023 at 6:49 PM ^
This guy, right here. I actually wear earplugs at home to deal with it.
August 26th, 2023 at 11:14 PM ^
this ….. times eleventy billion
August 26th, 2023 at 2:44 PM ^
I've honestly never noticed this. As someone else mentioned, I have heard background kiddos a few times but that sound is fleeting and it doesn't bother me (my kids bomb my work calls all the time).
August 26th, 2023 at 2:50 PM ^
The kids don’t bother me at all. Not one bit.
I’m willing to bet that Seth, Alex, and/or Dave know exactly what I’m talking about.
August 27th, 2023 at 11:38 AM ^
I don't know if I noticed it much before, but it was incredibly obvious to me on the preview podcasts. I was mostly able to mentally tune it out but I was aware I was doing it and it made the podcasts marginally less enjoyable. Still great! But also a little annoying.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:44 PM ^
Interesting that I’ve never noticed. Not saying you’re wrong but I’ve gone through most of the defensive preview this week, listened to the whole offensive preview, and I listen to him every week for the MGoBlog Roundtable and never feel like I have any issues. I do hear the kids but that’s hardly an issue. For me, anyway.
August 26th, 2023 at 3:29 PM ^
I’m listening right now and the mic sound OP mentioned is the only thing i can hear.
August 26th, 2023 at 5:22 PM ^
OP is correct, it sounds like someone is constantly readjusting the mic boom in front of their face. It's not unlistenable for me, but is noticeable and would be great for it to fixed going forward.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:54 PM ^
asfdf
August 26th, 2023 at 5:16 PM ^
Overtaking asfdf.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:56 PM ^
Well in another news we were 2nd to Miami Moneycaines today when Patterson the safety who is Chris Ewalds teammate committed to them. He told ESPN it was Michigan or Miami and they payed upfront so he choose the money.
Being dead serious when he said it was Michigan or Miami. He has another teammate that is committed to Miami Also. But money and a new car is what swayed him.
August 26th, 2023 at 3:01 PM ^
Hopefully he enjoys the money and the mediocrity.
August 26th, 2023 at 4:15 PM ^
Get used to it. Plenty of schools are willing to pay up front and it won't be the last time we lose out because of money.
August 26th, 2023 at 4:17 PM ^
If he chose them because of the money then I have a hard time believing that he would’ve ever “fit” with Michigan’s culture. In other words, he would’ve never came here anyway, or even if he did, it wouldn’t have ever really worked out.
Can’t blame a kid for wanting to get paid, but if you’re okay with playing in front of a stadium that’s 25% full with a completely indifferent fanbase, never going better than 8-4, that’s your business.
August 26th, 2023 at 9:23 PM ^
What part of the M culture would he have not worked with? You can be a team-first guy, put in the hours, etc, etc, and want to be paid for your work, I think.
Also, I trust the staff enough on culture stuff - they wouldn't offer a guy who they thought would be a bad fit.
Bigger point here is that as long as M fan make a virtue out of losing guys because we wouldn't make competitive financial offers, we'll keep losing guys because we don't make competitive financial offers. Let's not do that!
August 26th, 2023 at 5:43 PM ^
Remember when the NCAA said that NIL is not pay to play? Good times.
August 26th, 2023 at 5:53 PM ^
Paid.
August 26th, 2023 at 6:04 PM ^
Remember, it's not a recruiting loss when the kid is from the state of the school he commits.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:57 PM ^
Never noticed it myself and I listen to everything they put out. Maybe try shittier headphones? Mine are quite shit.
also are we not doing “META:” anymore? You guys gotta tell me this stuff. You miss one meeting….
August 26th, 2023 at 3:06 PM ^
I hate to complain, too, but it sounded like someone was fiddling with some bamboo wind chimes on the offensive preview.
August 26th, 2023 at 3:34 PM ^
Yes. Please fix
August 26th, 2023 at 3:46 PM ^
I agree, I sent Seth a email about this today. I love the podcast, but the mic is driving me nuts. I don’t think we are asking too much to have clean audio. I want to hear what Brian and Seth are saying. Please fix this.
August 26th, 2023 at 3:53 PM ^
Thank you for posting this! I love the podcast content so I gutted through 2 hours of the mic but I was having trouble hearing anything else at the end.
Would be happy to contribute to the better mic collective