Laptop Direct Box Help

[lanceallen]

Hello everyone! I use my laptop with my TrapKat percussion midi controller. I'm wanting to play "live" using a powered speaker system.

When the laptop is plugged in for power I have awful interference, but when I unplug the laptop it goes away. I'm assuming that I need a direct box. What I need to know is what kind exatly do I need.

They make passive and active ones, since I run stereo I want to keep this into consideration, what is ground lift? As you can see I could use some pointers. Thank you!

 

[Massive Master]

If you've got an 1/8" out, you'll need an 1/8" TRS to dual 1/4" TS insert cable. That'll give you the L/R.

Two direct boxes (passive is fine) will give you the line-to-mic level to go the distance to the FOH mixer. Cheap is normally okay with live stuff. ProCo, Whirlwind, Behringer, Stewart, etc. are fine.

Ground lift... Lifts the ground. Useful of you're getting a ground loop (hum) in the system.

John Scrip - www.massivemastering.com