Noise Problems

[tourettes5139]

I have a laptop and a MOTU 828 interface, an outboard mixer, and some rack gear. When I have everything on, I hear this noise coming through the speakers which gets quieter whenever I mute the input on the mixer that carries the signals from the main outs of the interface. However, it is still there, just quieter. The thing is, when I unplug the power supply for the laptop (either end; at the computer or the surge protector) the noise goes away. I therefore BRILLIANTLY )) deduced that the power supply is to blame.

I was wondering if there is any way around this noise, such as a grounding doohickey or something that would fix this besides just running my laptop on batteries whenever I record and mix. I would prefer to leave the laptop grounded (DUH!), so if anyone could help that would be great!!

PS - If I left anything out that a potential problem solver would need to know, just let me know. Thanks in advance.

 

[nroberts]

I was wondering if there is any way around this noise, such as a grounding doohickey or something that would fix this besides just running my laptop on batteries whenever I record and mix. I would prefer to leave the laptop grounded (DUH!), so if anyone could help that would be great!!

The only thing I can think of is possibly getting a UPS to filter noise from your power. It could be an issue. You should probably have one anyway and they only cost about $60 and will protect a computer much more than a surge protecter, which is more placebo than anything.

Besides that I would come to the unfortunate conclusion that there are grounding issues in the laptop and noise is getting transfered to the soundcard that shouldn't be. A usb sound system maybe would fix this?

 

[tourettes5139]

Thanks, one more question.

Thanks for the reply, I will try to get some money and get a UPS. Do you think a rackmount power conditioner would do the job too? I've been needing to get one anyhow, so maybe I should just do it.

Also, I have noticed the noise just when I am running the AC97 built in audio on the computer, and I only noticed a bit of noise when I had a USB mouse plugged in, but it was the same noise that I now hear through my system now. The noise also popped up when I was using my guitar amp for a headphone amp, but only through the guitar amp itself, everything else was fine.

Finally, I did have my interface replaced/repaired (I'm not sure which, but I'd bet they just replaced it.) Anyway, its been a month or two since I got it back, and I have just now heard the noise. It hasn't been there anytime before, with the old interface or the new one. I also added some Wharfedale 8.2's a few days ago, and then I noticed the noise just yesterday it would have been.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks again.
Hope this new info helps someone smarter than me help me figure this out.

 

[anselm]

I have a laptop and a MOTU 828 interface, an outboard mixer, and some rack gear. When I have everything on, I hear this noise coming through the speakers which gets quieter whenever I mute the input on the mixer that carries the signals from the main outs of the interface. However, it is still there, just quieter. The thing is, when I unplug the power supply for the laptop (either end; at the computer or the surge protector) the noise goes away. I therefore BRILLIANTLY )) deduced that the power supply is to blame.

I was wondering if there is any way around this noise, such as a grounding doohickey or something that would fix this besides just running my laptop on batteries whenever I record and mix. I would prefer to leave the laptop grounded (DUH!), so if anyone could help that would be great!!

PS - If I left anything out that a potential problem solver would need to know, just let me know. Thanks in advance.

try an ebtech x hum eliminator. Lifts the ground safely.

 

[tourettes5139]

thanks for the reply. I will try that.