Switched apartments, now......BUZZ!

[thane1200]

Hey guyz, I just moved into a new apartment set up my equipment the same way, and NOW I get a buzzing through my monitors. Unfortunately it is not constatn. I believe it has something to do with th upstairs apartment using some appliance, but I can't identify what.

Will a power conditioner help to clear this up. All of my equipment is three-prong grounded, and is as evenly spaced thought the available outlets.

Any suggestions?

Thanx

~Thane

PS, I'm using an unbalance signal. Daw====>Samson Control Matrix====>Hosa Patchbay====>Alesis RA 300 (power amp)

[TimOBrien]

Tell the management you have an electrical problem and they need to get a certified electrician out to fix it. They are responsible for fixing it.

[The Ghost of FM]

Thane,

I'm kind of surprised that you didn't have a buzz in your previous setup if the AC power regime was the same?

I employ a star grounding system in my studio's power set up whereby all the power comes from a singular outlet in the wall and from there is split into numerous power bars to feed the different areas of my set up and have no ground-loop or buzzing issues since doing that. Prior to that method, I had my stuff plugged in, Willy-nilly style around the room and had lots of buzzing problems.

Perhaps you should reconsider you AC wiring management?

Cheers!

[thane1200]

Originally Posted by The Ghost of FM

Thane,

I'm kind of surprised that you didn't have a buzz in your previous setup if the AC power regime was the same?

The apartment is actually in the same complex, however the building is different.

Originally Posted by The Ghost of FM

I employ a star grounding system in my studio's power set up whereby all the power comes from a singular outlet in the wall and from there is split into numerous power bars to feed the different areas of my set up and have no ground-loop or buzzing issues since doing that. Prior to that method, I had my stuff plugged in, Willy-nilly style around the room and had lots of buzzing problems.

Perhaps you should reconsider you AC wiring management?

All of my equipment is three-prong grounded, and is as evenly spaced thought the available outlets.

I'm pretty sure contacting management on the subject would do no good, I've had them come out on other occasions, just for them to say they will not fix it until I move out. Also, this issue is seems to be non-existant in the TV, or home stereo, etc. so, I'm wondering if my system is particularly succeptable to such transients.

Any suggestions on power conditioners?

[Ethan Winer]

Thane,

> Will a power conditioner help to clear this up. <

It depends on whether the buzzing is coming in the power line or is radiating through the air. See Hum and Buzz, 4th in the list on my Articles page:

www.ethanwiner.com/articles.html

--Ethan

[Dani Pace]

Just wondering, do you have florescent lighting? A bad or even weak ballast in a florescent light, even in another room or on a different circuit will cause hum in all sorts of things such as stereos, radios, tvs, and definately in recording gear. You mentioned the buzz/hum wasn't consistent, you would only get the buzz if the light was on. If there is a weak ground connection the source of the prob could be in another part of the building or even the outside lighting, neon signs are notorious for causing this sort of problem and black lights (especially bigger ones ) maybe in the apt. next door or upstairs emit some strange waves and sometimes cause hum. If you have florescent lights, a quick way to check them (other than obvious flickering,) is to feel the metal housing above the bulbs. It should be the same temp all over, a warm spot is a warning sign, a hot spot means it's past time to call the maint. man or an electrician. On the other end of the spectrum, there is always the possibility that when you moved a cable or connector got damaged, if you have a spare check that first, if that dosen't help, by all means call the manager, there could be a wiring prob/fire hazzard in the building.

[thane1200]

Thanx for the responses guys, It turned out to be something simple.....a bad RCA cable into my soundcard. I left that channel open and the second I removed the cable the buzz is gone. D'oh!

[Dani Pace]

Ha ha ha, yep sometimes the solution is so simple we just overlook it. Anyway, glad to hear you found the source of the prob.