Avoiding Cellphone Interference in the Studio
Please never do this! Cellphone radiation (EMI) can ruin your tracks.
The recording process suffers from a mismatch of technology. Consider that all of the microphones that are the most revered in history, and most copied today, were invented prior to 1970... and are used side-by-side with brand new tech, namely smartphones.
Why is this relevant? Because the people who invented microphones would roll over in their graves if they knew that modern users commonly hold incredibly powerful multiband transmitters next to the mic while recording.
Cellphone Radiation = Noise
Yes, your smartphone is an incredibly powerful multiband transmitter. Wifi operates at 2.4 and/or 5 GHz. Bluetooth operates just above 2.4 GHz. Cellular traffic could be anywhere from 600 MHz to 2.5 GHz. The cell transmitter in you phone was designed to penetrate buildings.
To any microphone, whether wired or wireless, all cell/wifi/bluetooth transmissions can be grouped together as one thing: noise. More generally, this is EMI (electromagnetic interference), sometimes also called RFI (radio frequency interference). RFI is a subset of EMI. You don't want to hear any of this in your next vocal track.
What does cell / wifi / bluetooth interference sound like?
(coming soon)
Shielding is (unfortunately) not the answer
Some microphones are better shielded than others. But the reality is that it is nearly impossible to make any microphone immune to EMI/RFI, especially when someone is holding a transmitter six inches away.
Keep in mind that the mic capsule cannot be truly shielded. Sound waves have to pass through the grille, ideally without degrading any frequencies. Cellphone EMI waves are orders of magnitude smaller than audio waves, and have no problem at all passing through the mesh of a microphone headbasket.
Troubleshooting Interference in Microphone Tracks
EMI can attack the microphone, the cable, or even the mic pre / interface.
Most microphone cables are shielded, but some are better than others. The state of the art in shielded XLR3 cables is Gotham GAC4/1 with Neutrik EMC connectors.
Upgrading to one of these XLR3 cables is a great first step, if you're hearing interference in your tracks. Nearly every other remedial step will cost more, except this one:
The cheapest way to reduce interference and cellphone noise in your home studio
This is a two-step process:
- Switch all smartphones to "airplane mode."
- Turn off the wifi router.
Even if you do not have EMI problems in your studio, it is wise to take smartphones offline. Otherwise, an incoming call or text will ruin the track.
AI Disclaimer
The image above is an AI hallucination, intended to communicate the common studio sight of vocalists reading lyrics from a cellphone held next to the microphone. That is a recipe for ruined tracks.