New noise on already existing setup

  • Thread starter Thread starter zealex
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zealex

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My bandmate's audio configuration involves a computer running through a mixer, PA, then stereo speakers. We just switched studio locations and set our equipment up, and now we're getting a lot of static noise from the computer itself. Any computer activity(mouse moving, clicking, programs opening/closing) alters the signal. He's constantly DJing with this setup and has never encountered this problem before. I think I have the same problem on my computer, but I always thought it was a motherboard/soundcard issue. I've tried patching my problem with drivers, but I've never succeeded.

Why would this suddenly happen? Grounding? There's nothing in the actual room that I know of that would cause an interference.
 
It's most likely a ground loop that is causing the problem.

If possible, make sure that the computer, mixer and amp are plugged into a common groups of outlets.
I personally use audio isolation transformers and place them between pc and my amplified monitors, or in your case the mixer.

Try and stay away from cheap power strips, because they often have low quality grounding metal inside.
 
You are infested by recording gremlins.
You must preform the cleansing ritual, rinse, then repeat.



:D
 
Zealex,

Do you know if the circuits and cabling are balanced? That can make a huge difference.
 
Well, here's the new problem.

It's fixed. Nothing was changed. A power strip was moved maybe a foot, but I moved it back into the old spot to see if that was the problem, but it wasn't. The computer was shut off overnight, so maybe it just needed a hard reset (which we tried, but not over that long a course of time).

Well, I guess our gremlins are gone for the time being, or at least in hiding.

EDIT: New information. The power adapter on the laptop we were using was replaced with a lower voltage block, not sure how much of drop. My bandmate said that solved the problem.
 
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Make sure you don't have any unbalanced cables crossing AC cords. If they must, don't run them parallel with each other.
 
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