Connecting amp/speakers to pc

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eventide

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In short- I've got a saffire 6 interface, a tangent amp-100 amp and a set of bookshelf speakers. Saffire connected to pc (obviously), speakers connected to amp and cambridge audio 100 series phono cables from saffire 1&2 outputs to the amp AUX1. Problem is the sound is really really quiet, unless I switch to the phono input on the amp, in which case its nice and loud but with really distorted base. Help?

Also finding really bad interference, just a constant low hum, not sure how to fix it :/

Cheers!
 
A low hum sounds like a ground problem.
For the lack of volume - what signal are you sending to the Saffire? USB to it from your computer? if so you need to turn the dial that says 'mixer' to the right.
 
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Yeah USB from pc. Turned the Mixer all the way to the right, and turned the Monitor all the way up, and that helped with the volume a bit. Seems odd I'd have to have them both maxed just to get usable volume though...

Is the Aux the right input on the amp? And are my cables correct? I'm not very audio-techy, much better with a computer ;)

Want to revise the feedback I'm getting, its like a combination of static and the kind of high-pitched whiney noise you get when you put a phone too close to a speaker.

Edit: Right so everything works fine when hooked up to the dvd player, and the saffire sound is fine if i plug headphones into that, so that leaves me at the conclusion that its my cables?
 
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Sounds like it could be cables. Make sure they are not near the power cables, easy to pickup interference from AC if the cable is not well shielded.
 
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Tried it with the rca and power cables as far from each other as I could have them, still the same. Worked fine when I hooked it up to the dvd player. Could it be interference from the pc? Is there any way I can shield them better, or is it a case of buying new cables?
 
Can you use the same cables to feed from the DVD to the Amp to either confirm they're the problem or rule out the cables?

Otherwise, could there be a setting in either your DAW or any form of software mixer used to control the Saffire that's knocking your levels way down? If the phono input on the Amp works, that suggests to me that your levels are something like 60dB lower than they should be (and the distorted bass is caused by the RIAA EQ present on amplifier phono inputs just as an aside).
 
Possibly a Ground loop via the USB cable between the computer and the amp.

Alan.
 
Grounding problem will normally cause a low humming sound. Keep the dial ('mixer') to the rightmost part to correct the volume issues. Check also the wiring from USB to computer if you are sending signal using this method.
 
lanayapiper said:
Grounding problem will normally cause a low humming sound.
Click to expand...

Not when the ground loop is through a USB or firewire cable, the actual voltage within the loop transmitted along the cable causes static and digital noise (hissing).

Alan.
 
lanayapiper said:
Grounding problem will normally cause a low humming sound. Keep the dial ('mixer') to the rightmost part to correct the volume issues. Check also the wiring from USB to computer if you are sending signal using this method.
Click to expand...

This thread is 9 months old. I assume the OP found a solution by now!
 
mjbphotos said:
This thread is 9 months old. I assume the OP found a solution by now!
Click to expand...

DOH! :facepalm: caught by the phantom bumper.

9cd17c67_holy20thread20resurrection.webp
 
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