Noise when using computer with mixer.

subterFUSE · Post by **subterFUSE** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 4:27 pm

I'm a recent Abelton convert.... and have just attempted my first dry-run mixing session by hooking up the output from my computer into my Allen & Heath Xone 62 mixer, which is hooked up to my Mackie SRM-450 speakers.

I wanted to simulate a club setup.

Here is what I did:

Computer running M-Audio Firewire Audiophile interface.
I use RCA jacks out of the interface and ran them into one of the line inputs on my Allen & Heath mixer. (the same input I would use for my Pioneer CDJ1000)

I've had a couple of issues with this setup:

1. The output gain from my M-Audio interface seems very low. I attempted making adjustments in both the M-Audio software control, and by using the gain dial on the interface box itself. I have to resort to increasing the channel gain on the Allen & Heath, but I have to turn it up rather high when compared to vinyl.

2. I am getting a bad amount of background noise when I connect the computer to the mixer. It is a low level buzzing sound, that is most noticable when there is no music playing... or when the music is playing a quiet passage. The noise sounds very much like ground loop buzz, but I could eaily be wrong. It only happens when I connect the computer to the mixer, however. If I unplug the RCA jacks, the noise goes away.

Any thoughts or suggestions from you all?

Thanks.

jeskola · Post by **jeskola** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 5:04 pm

i also get this on my djm 600.
bizzarly when i turn the power of my synth to OFF the noise gets louder.

subterFUSE · Post by **subterFUSE** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 6:13 pm

The noise is bad enough that it concerns me as to whether I really want to attempt using Ableton in a live club setting.

I could really use some helpful suggestions.

blakejarrell · Post by **blakejarrell** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:20 pm

all i use:

25 cent 1/8 to RCA adaptor from radio shack
monter cable RCA

plug it directly into the AUXILLARY input of whatever mixer im playing through straight out of the headphone jack of my stock dell soundcard. sounds freaking beautiful, no feedback or audio degradation. cuts through dj vinyl on that same mixer like a knife.

DJ Padawan · Post by **DJ Padawan** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:25 pm

I have experienced this problem as well, what I did discover is that if I unplug my laptop from the wall the noise goes away. there are hum eliminators that should also fix the problem but this is a good quick fix to give a try first.

blakejarrell · Post by **blakejarrell** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:40 pm

DJ Padawan wrote:I have experienced this problem as well, what I did discover is that if I unplug my laptop from the wall the noise goes away. there are hum eliminators that should also fix the problem but this is a good quick fix to give a try first.

yes very good point

at the club i play at, everything plugs into a furman noise eliminator thingy, so that could be to my advantage also

Clearscreen · Post by **Clearscreen** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:18 am

i've had ground loop problems before, and you can pick up cheap ground loop lifters that'll do the job. i used a couple of these:
http://www.minidisc.com.au/product_info ... cts_id=423
but i've heard about cheaper ones from car stereo places. you just put it in the rca lead between the mixer and the soundcard and it cuts the ground loop somehow.

it can be an expensive problem if you shell out on high end DI boxes with ground lift switches, but the cheap arse option worked for me. i guess it depends on how much you care about the purity of the sound quality in the end.

feyshay · Post by **feyshay** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 5:17 pm

I had the same problem.
The EBV Ground Loop Eliminator took care of the problem. I plugged my computer into it and the problem was fixed. It costs $70. Didn't have to mess around with running my XLR or 1/4 cables in and out of a box, although I ended up also getting a hum eliminator by ART (with RCA, 1/4 and XLR input and output)--just in case.

DJRetard · Post by **DJRetard** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 1:51 am

sorry but you guys must be doing something wrong. Ive been plugging soundcards in to many different types of dj mixers line or aux input with never a problem.

subterFUSE · Post by **subterFUSE** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 5:34 am

I got a cheap ground loop isolator from Radio Shack.

Problem solved, 100%.

Thanks.

s[riteboy · Post by **s[riteboy** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 3:16 pm

any users in Ireland or the UK can get one here

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?cri ... &source=15