Need some advice on monitors hum

[Dzmitry]

Hi guys,
I just wanted to enquire if anyone can help me with a piece of advice on how to eliminate monitors' hum and hiss.. I am more of a producer and arranger and I'm nothing when it comes to electricity or signal paths

I am using KRK Rokit 8 powered monitors, with the Novation Nio card which has unbalanced connections, I know this can be the cause of a problem, but my monitors also hum and hiss when just connected to the mains without any signal cables connected.. My additional equipment includes a MacBookPro and an external hard drive which is often off. 2 monitors, laptop, and hard drive plugs are collected on a power surge protector which is plugged into the wall outlet...I know I can try a hum eliminator, can it really help taking my system into account? And how can I define the problem device causing hum?

Also is there any way to convert my unbalanced signal to balanced? I've heard sth about DI box, is it easy to use for a signal ignorant guy like me?

 

[TetraFish]

When you say just connected to the mains do you mean the power cords?

If so try them in another power outlet, do you have any fans going or other rotating equipment on the same circuit.

A power conditioner may do the trick if you find they work well in other electrical outlets.

 

[squibble94]

Try turning on and off different lights or anything else plugged in. The light in my hallway messes with the circuit and make my monitors hum.

 

[Dzmitry]

When you say just connected to the mains do you mean the power cords?

If so try them in another power outlet, do you have any fans going or other rotating equipment on the same circuit.

Yes, I tried the monitors without a sound card, just with the power cord plugged into a protector with the cord of that goin to the wall outlet

About the circuit, there's nothing there except for the cord of a surge protector

 

[Dzmitry]

Try turning on and off different lights or anything else plugged in. The light in my hallway messes with the circuit and make my monitors hum.

I'll try that, thank you

 

[Dogbreath]

I've got a Tampa pre that has an inline power wart (transformer?) that....when laying on the floor a certain way, makes a hum maybe how you're describing.

It's weird but, if I just turn the transformer a few degrees, even tho it's just laying on the floor, the hum goes away.
?

Never really looked into why cuz I got the hum to go away.


Maybe if you have some gear with these inline warts, try just turning em a few degrees. May or may not help.

 

[moresound]

Almost sounds to me that your feeding the monitors with a very hot signal.
Try turning down the signal to the monitors to see if the hiss and hum goes a way or diminishes the noise.

 

[Dzmitry]

Almost sounds to me that your feeding the monitors with a very hot signal.
Try turning down the signal to the monitors to see if the hiss and hum goes a way or diminishes the noise.

I tried them without any signal, i.e. without the card and computer turned on, just with the monitors on, and the hum is still there at the same amplitude, when I just push the on/off button on the speaker it starts to hum, it is noticeable straightaway....