Hum Issues...Advice Please

  • Thread starter Thread starter dafron
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dafron

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I could really do with some advice please.

I've got the following equipment:
- Behringer MX8000 Mixing Desk
- nEAR 05 Active Monitors
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 FW Interface
- Behringer ADA8000 ADAC

When I originally connected the monitors to my mixing desk, I got a hum so I got round this by using balanced XLR cables and disconnecting the shield from one end of each cable.

Then when I connect the Saffire Pro 40 outputs to line inputs on the mixing desk I get a hum again (with the interface connected to the mains). I've tried with unbalanced jack to jacks and balanced jack to jacks with no joy. If I use a de-shielded cable the hum goes.

So what I'm wondering is, is it worth buying a DI box (such as a Behringer DI800) or should I just de-shield a load of cables? Will a DI box like the DI800 solve the problem?
 
Why not skip the Behr MX8000 in the chain, plug the mics and monitors into the Saffire?
 
mjbphotos said:
Why not skip the Behr MX8000 in the chain, plug the mics and monitors into the Saffire?
Click to expand...

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your post but I think you misunderstood me.

I'm taking the outputs from the Saffire Pro and ADA8000 into the mixing desk. I'm using the mixing desk to assist in the remixing of tracks that I record elsewhere (and before I get loads of suggestions about mixing in the box, that's not an option at the moment).

Thanks again :)
 
OK, sorry/ Sounds like either the Saffire or the Behr has a ground problem.
 
Some tips to reduce or remove hum:

1.) Make sure all of your gears are connected to the same ground loop in your AC power. So the Saffire pro 40 and mixing desk are connected to the same ground.

2.)Try not putting audio cables near any power adapters.

3.) A direct box can help reduce or solve the hum if it includes a ground lift feature. Good luck
 
mjbphotos said:
OK, sorry/ Sounds like either the Saffire or the Behr has a ground problem.
Click to expand...

No need to be sorry :) I appreciate you taking the time to post. I would say it's more likely to be the Behringer (because of the issue being with the monitors, now with the Saffire Pro).

Emerson Maningo said:
Some tips to reduce or remove hum:

1.) Make sure all of your gears are connected to the same ground loop in your AC power. So the Saffire pro 40 and mixing desk are connected to the same ground.

2.)Try not putting audio cables near any power adapters.

3.) A direct box can help reduce or solve the hum if it includes a ground lift feature. Good luck
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions. Everything in the studio is connected to the same socket in the wall, using a decent quality surge protector (currently only Mixing Desk, Saffire Pro and Speakers connected).

I've tried keeping the cables seperate (had the audio cables above the desk and the power cables on the floor but didn't make any difference.

Is there any real advantage in buying a DI box with ground lift over disconnecting the shield on the balanced cables? The reason I ask is because I'd have to buy 2 Behringer DI800's and additional cables because I need 16 channels going into the desk so the cheaper option would be modifying cables.

Thanks again
 
Not sure, I have not tested it. I suggest trying to borrow some DI with ground lift from any of your studio friends if you have and see if it fix the problem. Have you tried using TRS balance cables in connecting your Saffire Pro to the line inputs?
 
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