My monitors started humming!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Giganova
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Giganova

Giganova

gimmi your mic!
hey guys --

I just moved to a different city/place, and set up my studio exactly like it was before. However: my M-Audio BX8 monitors all of a sudden have a noticable hum! Its fairly loud, actually. It only stops when I un-plug the (TRS) cables. The fader on the mixer's master output has no effect on the hum.

Do you know what might cause the hum?? Is that dangerous for the mositors? Should I get shielded XLR cables? (the mixer only has TRS master outputs, so I guess it wouldn't help, right?)

Thanks!
 
Sounds like a ground loop. How do you have power plugged in? Different outlets?
 
You could also try rerouting the signal cables. They might be picking up an induced hum from nearby AC or something.
 
Yeah... You gotta make sure you have clean power - Those little yellow "power blocks" from the hardware store is step 1. Check the outlets and make sure that ALL OF THEM are wired correctly. Check to make sure that your voltage level is within reasonable parameters also - If you're running low, who knows what could happen. If it's too hot, that's not going to help either.

Make sure that all of your draw is on the same circuit - You're asking for trouble if it's not...

A good quality power conditioner wouldn't hurt either if you're not already using one... The Furman units with the voltage readout are fine.

And yes, as suggested, a 90 degree crossing of all power cables against signal paths is a must. Shielded or not.

John Scrip - www.massivemastering.com
 
Ok, folks. I'll check the grounding, get a power conditioner, and check whether they are picking up interference. Thanks!
 
If that doesn't work, search the area for the infamous humming gnome.

If that doesn't work, teach them the words.
 
hummmmmmm

What tune are they humming?

Seriously now, Did you swap cables? You could have damaged 1 in the move when you were shifting equipment to unplug it all. If shorted it could hum.

Like wise if the wires in the wall are not in the recptical right (black on the gold lugs and white on the silver, green on the ground) this could cause the humm. And the Ground loop like others have said here.

Also I have a Tripplite regulated power supply. Everything I own in my studio goes through this baby. Cept the guitar amps.

It has filtered and unfiltered recepticals on the back and unfiltered on the front. Tripplite guarenteeded to replace anything down stream of it if anything takes a hit and burns out. We are talking $25,000 replacement.

Here's the kicker. I work for the power company. 475 MW coal fired unit. Matter of Face I am 1 of the unit operators. When I'm on I keep my eye on the line voltage. Try to keep it at 144 KV.

But when I am off I notice the regulated power supply lights up showing HI or LO input voltage sometimes. The regulator kicks in automatically and sets the voltage to maintain 117v continous output.

I have 4 ADAT'S, 4 Compressors, 2 ART Effects, Mackie 32X8 console, Phillips 788 CD recorder, TEAC duel cassett deck, Harmon Cardon cassett deck, Tascam DAT machine, Alphex Spectraul audio enhancer, Sabine Rack tuner, Ross Equilizer, and some other Equip pluged in to it.

I also have a Peavey, and Crate amps along with a fender. These are not pluged into it. The Peavey and Crate took a hit. The Fender Quad was unpluged.


I believe in this 1 piece of equipment. The way I understood it from the guy at the audio store I bought this at, back in 92, said they were mainly designed for computers to stablize the voltage and prevent them from electrical spikes.

IT WORKS!!! Saved my equipment 3 or 4 times now.



D
 
I solved the problem by making sure that the monitor cables are nowhere near power cables, and cross them perpendicular. Also, one of the cables was touching the near end of the computer screen, which induced some hum.

Thanks for all your help!
 
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