What's wrong with my monitors?

[Klo_]

Hey guys
yes im a newbie to home recording, though my question isn't directly about recording, still i hope someone can help me here:
I just bought these Behringer b1030a monitors and they're doing something i cannot handle:
If i plug them directly into my PC they 'play' a sound/noise, quite loud you can even hear it during music playing in some more silent parts. An interesting thing is that this happens only when the pc is idle - once I scroll a window, even click with mouse the noise ceases for the moment. also when new song is being loaded...etc

Anyone has an explanation for that?
Many thanks in advance

 

[tbuck92]

Do you have an audio interface?

 

[Klo_]

i dont think so, if thats what i think it is

 

[TeyshaBlue]

Is it a whining kind of sound?

Are you sure you don't have an audio interface?

 

[Klo_]

well, more like electricity passing by

Are you sure you don't have an audio interface?

what is an audio interface then?

 

[AMcB]

What do you plug the speakers I to?

 

[TeyshaBlue]

well, more like electricity passing by


what is an audio interface then?

Interfaces are usually external devices that handle audio signal inputs, either mic or line. They are usually connected via USB or Firewire. There are PCI cards, but they aren't as plentiful as the FW or USB devices.

The reason I ask, alot of these devices are sensitive to USB or other system activity and will either create noise or briefly interupt audio when a resource is being used.

Try a couple of things:

1. Try reducing your monitor resolution/refresh rate. Sometimes this will create noise.
2. If you have an external interface, check the USB cord. In fact, check all of your USB devices if you have any connected. When you hear the noise, start disconnecting them one by one and see if they are what's causing this.
3. You might have a bad cable or connector (more likely) between the comp and the monitors.
4. If you are using a wireless device, disconnect it as well...including wireless internet if applicable.

Let me know if any of this does the trick.

 

[TeyshaBlue]

Also, it's entirely possible that your .50 onboard sound card is crap. Most have very cheap connectors that are not soldered very securly to the circuit board. This may very well be your problem. Does the noise change/quit when you wiggle the jack on the comp?

 

[Klo_]

thx for your tips TeyshaBlue!

so i really don't have an audio interface... just a onboard card as youre saying

concerning your tips, #3 is interesting - these monitors have RCA and 1/4 TRS inputs, i was using RCA, now i switched to the 1/4 one and the noise is gone. What do you think about that? (im using a reduction to the small jack on the pc side - thus using still the same input as with the 'RCA malfunctioning wiring'on the card - so there shouldn't be a problem i guess)

edit: and yeah if i wiggle the rca->jack in the pc there is a bad contact somewhere so that one of the monitors is getting cut off, though it doesn't affect the noise (if the monitor stays on)

 

[grimtraveller]

concerning your tips, #3 is interesting - these monitors have RCA and 1/4 TRS inputs, i was using RCA, now i switched to the 1/4 one and the noise is gone. What do you think about that?

Electricity is funny.
I bought a ground loop lead because when my laptop (it houses my virtual instruments) was initially connected to my multitrack and working by electricity, it buzzed like a vuvuzela. But if I used the battery - no noise. But I didn't want to have to keep charging the battery so I got this ground loop lead and hey presto, end of problem. Until yesterday. Back comes the buzzing. I move the lead. Switch off and on. No noise. No problem.
Electricity is funny.

 

[tbuck92]

If you can get something like this http://www.guitarcenter.com/M-Audio...SB-Audio-MIDI-Interface-103520185-i1126084.gc most of your problems will most likely be solved.

 

[Armistice]

buzzed like a vuvuzela..

Make the bad noise go away Daddy!

Now that the World Cup is over, I hope never to hear one again...