ac hum in recording-please help

  • Thread starter Thread starter robrargontech
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robrargontech

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i am recording my acoustic piano using 2 sure sm 57 mics plugged into a tascam usb 122 interface and ultimately into my toshiba laptop (new, pentium) using cakewalk home studio 2004. i am getting a significant ac hum in my recordings. when i turn off the ac power and run the laptop on its battery the hum goes away. but this is not a long term solution. the laptop plugs into the wall with a 2 prong ac plug.

what kind of power strip/conditioner/ups/ etc. etc. et. al. would be the most cost effective way to solve this? i am hoping for something in the (less than) $200 range. as cheap as possible of course, but i would like a high probability of success before i order some hardware off the net.

thanks rob
 
I would maybe try a different laptop p/s first. Make sure the transformer(the part of the AC adapter in the box) is as far away from the laptop as possible, and don't let the extra cord just pile up on top of it(things to try before spending money). I got rid of a bunch of induced hum by cleaning up my cables. Also don't let your mic cables run anywhere near the adapter.
 
You can clean you cables using Deox-it by Craig companies, also I would recommend using a hum eliminator by Ebtech, or you can purchase a furman strip or conditioner, there is a difference between the two. Also if you have alot of cables you can adjust them to a right angle, also try a different outlet in your room or wherever.
 
Clean up your cables. I've solved alot of my grounding issues by running my equipment through a UPS thats connected to a single outlet.
 
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