I Need help, guiqly and badly

[Mechashok]

So I'm starting a new YouTube channel, but when ever I try to make a video there is a hum/feedback noise in the background and I have no idea on what to do can some one please help me!!!!
I have a Eurorack MXB 1002 mixer, its old but it works, I plug it into my computer by to RCA cables via a RCA to 3.5 mm jack adaptor. Pls Help My mic is fine that's not the problem!

 

[Steenamaroo]

Rca cables carry unbalanced audio.
That means your signal cables are susceptible to noises from nearby equipment.

The real solution is a little USB interface.

 

[pouxhawk]

First and foremost, make sure your computer and mixer are plugged into the same circuit.
Second, turn off all the extraneous electrical devices in the proximity of your recording set up. Especially fluorescent lights.
Third, (maybe this should be first) listen to the headphone out on your mixer to see if the hum is coming from somewhere in the mixer. If the mixer is humming, it's because it doesn't remember the lyrics... sorry, I couldn't resist. Unfortunately, if the hum is coming from the mixer, it may be time to replace it as it's probably not worth repairing.
I also suggest using some sort of transformer to isolate the two devices from each other. Companies like Ebtech, Radial, and Whirlwind sell boxes for this purpose. They ain't exactly cheap but they do work. I don't leave home without one.

My guess is that the hum is being introduced by the unbalanced connection between your mixer and the computer.
Good luck.....p

 

[Bobbsy]

I'm a bit worried by your description of the noise being "hum/feedback". They're two very different sounds. Hum is, well, hum but feedback is that screeching noise you get when the audio is looped back on itself.

If hum, the most likely causes are an earth loop problem or a failing power supply on the mixer.

If feedback, it's most likely the output of your computer getting back to the mixer and looping back into itself.

If your computer happens to be a laptop a very quick test for the earth loop would be to unplug the mains adaptor and run off batteries. If the hum disappears, it's an earth loop and some form of isolating transformer would be the fix.

 

[Steenamaroo]

If your computer happens to be a laptop a very quick test for the earth loop would be to unplug the mains adaptor and run off batteries. If the hum disappears, it's an earth loop and some for of isolating transformer would be the fix.

Oh yeah....
That too!

 

[cristiprop]

There's most likely a problem with your cables. If you don't already Use Gold plated RCA or Jack or whatever plug you use.Or get a usb interface!

 

[Bobbsy]

There's most likely a problem with your cables. If you don't already Use Gold plated RCA or Jack or whatever plug you use.Or get a usb interface!

NO! At least not unless you enjoy wasting money on audiophool snake oil.

Gold connectors can help prevent corrosion on the connectors but do absolutely NOTHING to help a problem with hum. I have some 30 and 40 year old cables with "ordinary" connectors and have yet to have a corrosion problem--but, if I did, it would show up as a crackly, intermittent sound on the cable, not a hum.

Hum is almost certainly an electrical and/or earthing issue as noted above.

(Getting a specialist interface...probably USB...is a good idea though.)

 

[PTravel]

NO! At least not unless you enjoy wasting money on audiophool snake oil.

Gold connectors can help prevent corrosion on the connectors but do absolutely NOTHING to help a problem with hum. I have some 30 and 40 year old cables with "ordinary" connectors and have yet to have a corrosion problem--but, if I did, it would show up as a crackly, intermittent sound on the cable, not a hum.

Hum is almost certainly an electrical and/or earthing issue as noted above.

(Getting a specialist interface...probably USB...is a good idea though.)

What Bobbsy said +10.

 

[pouxhawk]

What Bobbsy said +10.

+3427
And Yes... getting the AD conversion as far away from the rest of the computer circuitry is always a good thing. I used to use a M-Audio Audiophile 2496 card which was highly regarded at the time, in a HP desktop.
There was always a low level amount of computery noise and hum audible during quiet passages. Switching to a balanced external firewire converter on the same computer did away with the noise completely. The suggestion of a USB based converter is a good one, although you can still have extraneous garbage get into your signal if there are grounding issues. I still recommend transformer isolation between computer and mixer in your case and even if you later upgrade to balanced connections. USB interfaces with balanced I/O are dirt cheap now-a-days. Save your pennies and get one.

 

[Bobbsy]

Just as an aside, you probably had a bit of a fault in either your 2496 or computer.

The interior of a computer is pretty much hell as far as noise interference into a sound card is concerned--but the 2496 had truly excellent shielding and normally was one of the quietest interface cards around.

That said, in the long term it's probably better to simply not need elaborate shielding than to do a good job at protecting the card from the noise--but I thought I should say this in case somebody finds this post and thinks all 2496 cards perform that way.

 

[ecc83]

Just as an aside, you probably had a bit of a fault in either your 2496 or computer.

The interior of a computer is pretty much hell as far as noise interference into a sound card is concerned--but the 2496 had truly excellent shielding and normally was one of the quietest interface cards around.

That said, in the long term it's probably better to simply not need elaborate shielding than to do a good job at protecting the card from the noise--but I thought I should say this in case somebody finds this post and thinks all 2496 cards perform that way.

Thanks Bobbs!
Since PCI soundcards have largely gone now we don't so often see this "Obvious innit" myth trotted out about internal soundcards being noisy. In fact my 3 2496 cards all return a baseline noise of about -97dBFS and that is in fact slightly better than the usb Fast track pro! The noise figure would be better but for a 3dB spike at 50Hz but that ain't computer "hash"!

In any event an external AI STILL has a processor in it! AND very sensitive mic amps.

For the record my KA6 returns better than -100dBFS.

But to the OP's problem.
If the mixer checks out then it is almost certainly down to the crap on board sound card. If cash is REALLY tight try a Behringer UCA 202. I have had two and they both returned -83dBFS, kilometres better than most OBS's.
Better the new Steinberg UR22, best a KA6!

Dave.

 

[pouxhawk]

Good idea to reiterate that Bobbsy! The audiophile was not at fault except for the unbalanced I/O. It was a great card! It was the HP without a doubt. As was explained to me, that particular model hP was apparently well known for that issue. I first went to a balanced I/O Delta 44 card and the hum issue was resolved. I soon installed a firewire card and bought a MOTU and that fixed everything. I soon retired the computer to daily internet surfing.