Recording with a powered mixer... Getting rid of that buzz...

[Darchane]

Long story short, my dad wants to record. He's already got a powered mixer and instruments, plus the software. The sound patches through fine with a converter on the wire running to the computer, except for an electric hum. We're guessing the power form the mixer is bleeding in, as the computer records fine, and the mixer plays out to amps fine as well.

Being rank ameteurs, we're wondering if there's a way to get rid of the buzz without having to buy more hardware. All the gear is here, so if you need more information, I can get it to you.

 

[mixsit]

Assuming each part plays with out the buzz on it's own, have you tried plugging everyting into the same power strip?

 

[Ripthorn]

What outputs are you using? If you are using the powered outs, you could be getting some hum. If you try to use the unpowered outs, you might not have that problem. Of course, it could be a gainstaging or grounding problem, but the first thing to check is which outputs you are using.

 

[Rokket]

My guess is that you are using a live mixer for recording. What is the name and model number of your mixer?

 

[MCI2424]

Long story short, my dad wants to record. He's already got a powered mixer and instruments, plus the software. The sound patches through fine with a converter on the wire running to the computer, except for an electric hum. We're guessing the power form the mixer is bleeding in, as the computer records fine, and the mixer plays out to amps fine as well.

Being rank ameteurs, we're wondering if there's a way to get rid of the buzz without having to buy more hardware. All the gear is here, so if you need more information, I can get it to you.

Hum is from the 60Hz AC power line crosstalking to another circuit, or a groundloop. Buzz is usually caused by AM radio waves, or lighting.

It could be that if the mixer is really old, some electrolytic caps have dried out (at worst) or there is a groundloop somewhere. Make sure everything is grounded at the same AC outlet (and that the oulet is actually grounded to earth ground!) and that the mixer chassis is indeed grounded. This is a process of elimination and requires some basic electronics knowledge.

 

[Darchane]

Hm... Running a Samson TXM20. I suppose it's more of an electric hum than a buzz. I think it's supposed to be fore live performance, yes... And it all seems properly grounded and on a single power strip. Not sure where the unpowered outs are, if it has any. It's all recording from microphones.