How can I clean up my laptop's sound card input?

Question

My Windows XP laptop has a sound card that's integrated with the motherboard.

I've tried doing some recording directly into Audacity using my headset microphone, but I always get an unacceptable level of noise when I record that way. Using the Roland EDIROL R-09HR I have results in a much, much cleaner signal, but I lose the convenience of recording directly into the computer that way.

Short of adding an external sound card, are there any ways to reduce or eliminate the noise I'm getting from my sound card?

Audacity can get rid of it in post-processing, but it also warns that the Noise Removal tool can have negative effects on the audio.

My primary use case is to record batches of words for a software project that I then slice up into files using the Sound Finder and Export Multiple tools.

(I just know someone's going to say "get a new laptop" or "replace the motherboard" or something like that...)

Answer 1

Anything inside a computer chassis is exposed to a nightmare of electrical interference. The CPU, bus, hard drive and other components all emit electrical fields in the kilo, mega and gigahertz range. On top of that, most integrated and internal sound card vendors aren't that serious about efficient shielding, so you're generally much, much better off with external A/D-D/A converters with proper shielding.

Also, your investment in a good external USB or firewire audio interface will last you several laptop upgrades.

Answer 2

You have largely answered the question yourself in your parenthetical. Updating your sound card drivers if you can might help a little, but the main problem is that the sound card is not protected from the electromagnetic effects of the rest of the computer (plus it's probably not a great card, onboard ones rarely are).

The new HP laptops with Beats Audio are really interesting. The sound chips are shielded from the rest of the computer and there are separate chips for low, mid, and high frequency sounds. The output is supposed to be amazing and I'm sure it would have similar effects on the input.

Answer 3

(I just know someone's going to say "get a new laptop" or "replace the motherboard" or something like that...)

I wouldn't, because you would probably end up in the same situation after some time. Profesionally speaking, if such a component breaks down, I would say: stop working with it. Instead, get your hands on a not too expensive USB interface. Probably even less expensive than getting your motherboard replaced...

//Edit: you already stated that as an option in your question. Can you elaborate why you are actually searching for an alternative way?

Answer 4

There is something to be said for getting a mixer which will output the proper signal level and using the proper cables. You can get a passable signal into some on board inputs. You can also pick up usb interfaces on the used market for under $100. You're cheap and have other methods of recording, so you can wait for a good deal/auction ;)

You can also unplug your laptop from the wall and sometimes get rid of the noise.