what is comp noise

[Altaire]

when you talk about the comp making noise, is that that the physical sound of the comp gets recorded? Or is it that the noise interferes with the information transfer from the source thats the problem?

 

[bennychico11]

by comp are you talking about a computer or a compressor??

i'm guessing you mean computer. computer noise is noise the actual computer hardware makes...the fans, the hard drive spinning, etc.

is that what you're looking for?

 

[Altaire]

i know thats what it is, im saying what alters the sound being recorded, the actuall sound the comp makes is getting recorded?? or is it that that sound the comp makes is somehow disrupting the signal coming through

 

[Nick The Man]

noise is the actual recording of the computer making noises


nothing to do with signal

 

[bennychico11]

exactly what nick said.
fan noise, hard drive spinning....they all get picked up in the microphone unless you isolate the computer. anything that gets picked up in the mic that's not your instrument, effects the signal.

now, if you had electrical wires from your computer running next to your audio cables, then yes...you'll get some noise from that too...especially if you're not using a balanced cabling system. but that's electrical noise, not really computer noise. Just keep your computer away from your mics and you'll be fine.

 

[Nick The Man]

now, if you had electrical wires from your computer running next to your audio cables, then yes...you'll get some noise from that too...especially if you're not using a balanced cabling system. but that's electrical noise, not really computer noise. Just keep your computer away from your mics and you'll be fine.

hmmm thats interesting

i have my XLR cables running pretty much right next to my computer and its power cable is this going to effect the sound?

 

[AlexW]

XLR cables are shielded so probably not a bid deal. You could always do a test if you're concerned and move the cables apart to see if you notice any difference.

 

[bennychico11]

hmmm thats interesting

i have my XLR cables running pretty much right next to my computer and its power cable is this going to effect the sound?

not only are XLR cables shielded, like Alex said, but they are also balanced. This is the whole reason the balancing circuit was created. Polar opposite copies of the signal are sent down the cable where it may or may not encounter noise. When it gets to the other end, one of the sides of the signal is reversed again adding to the + signal and canceling out any electromagnetic interference or radio frequency interference it may have encountered.

 

[Altaire]

there are balanced and unbalanced cables? I thought just the ports had to be balanced...jeez more money...

 

[bennychico11]

there are balanced and unbalanced cables? I thought just the ports had to be balanced...jeez more money...

no no no

it's not really more money. maybe like $0.10 more for a balanced cable. all it is is one extra wire. seriously, balanced gear/cables are an amazing idea. i still can't get over how cool it works. it helps protect your recordings from interference with a simple but brilliant concept.

if a gear says it accepts balanced, that means it can take a 2 conductor (w/1 shielded) and balance it. If it says it's unbalanced it means it can accept 1 conductor w/a shield and work great. But unbalanced will not cancel out noise (ie. guitar cables are unbalanced...which is one of the reasons you use DI boxes). Microphone cables are balanced, TRS 1/4" cables are balanced. You probably use them all the time and don't realize it.