Brutal Buzz In PC Speakers

[griffinxi]

Hi hi,
I searched around and couldn't find a thread that addressed my concerns exactly, so I thought I'd post a new thread. I hope that's okay
I've just started a very basic hobby studio setup that I run through my PC: I run the instrument I'm playing or mic I'm using through a Tascam Portastudio (using it as a crude mixer) and from the Tascam into my soundcard, which is an Audigy 2 (on the list of things to be upgraded.) I use a PODxt for my guitar; I use an Antares Vocal Producer for the vocals, and I have a Yamaha S90 Synthesizer. I am only ever using one of these items at any given time.
I am not using a CRT monitor-- it's an LCD flatscreen.
I've recently noticed some pretty incredible buzz in my PC speakers that can occasionally be "wiggled" away-- meaning, moving the Tascam around, moving cords around, etc. That was at first, anyway; now the buzz is pretty much impossible to eliminate, and is overbearing.
One interesting thing: I noticed that when the buzz is present, it is present-- if slightly diminished-- even when the Tascam is turned OFF. It is still plugged in and connected to whatever instrument I was planning to use, connected w/ all the appropriate cables and whatnot.
I'm planning to buy better, shielded instrument cables to see if that may be a factor, and was reading about a ground loop isolator and maybe a premium power strip-- wasn't sure if any of this was necessary, or would help though.
I guess I was wondering if, other than things I can't control-- like nearby spacecraft taking off and landing-- is there some kind of gizmo that can help regulate this hum/buzz and make the signal as quiet as possible? I was reading about the Ebtech Hum X Hum Exterminator (I would link it but VBulletin says nay until I have 5 posts or more), which plugs into an outlet, but I didn't know if this device was intended to solve the problem I seem to have or not.
So, any opinions? Bad cables? Junk soundcard? Solar flares? Muchos gracias.

 

[legionserial]

You need to go through everything in your chain really...removing or replacing everything 1 by 1 so as to isolate the cause of the buzzing. For every cable you have, swap it out with one you know works fine. Eventually, you'll identify the source of the problem, then you can work on fixing it.

 

[griffinxi]

Thank you for your suggestion!

Actually, I went to Guitar Center yesterday and on a whim purchased a little black box called Buzz Off (made by Rolls) in the hopes that it would magically solve the problem. I'm more prone to try a few magic bullet solutions before I go about the task of swapping out cables and gear one at a time. And by God, this thing did it. You run the cables from The Tascam to the Buzz Off, and from the Buzz Off to the sound card, and not only is the awful buzz gone, but so is that very faint hum that I was willing to accept as the nature of the recording method. It's completely quiet. I mean, completely, which I never thought was going to be possible given the setup.

Anyway, I'm impressed. Thanks again!

 

[rayc]

Using a portastudio as a mixer isn't crude - it's good sense. I love the pres in my little Yamaha MT100 portastudio - some of my mics work best through them - others don't.
What is crude is dealing with the buzz JUST with the little box. You'll still need to look for the problem - before you ELECTROCUTE yourself.
I'm glad the gadget worked but you do need, for safety & sonic reasons, to address the problem at the problem.
I'd love to have the money to try a gadget every time something makes a noise!