Ableton Forum

i can buy a power cord for my laptop that WONT leak that annoying "buzzing" into my computer an on my tracks? its getting rediculous

Usually it´s not the power cord alone - professional external audio interfaces eliminate such
problems.

Best,
Christian

kleine wrote:Usually it´s not the power cord alone - professional external audio interfaces eliminate such
problems.

Best,
Christian

This is true, but ive had this problem for a while and unplugging the power cord from the laptop solves the issue. Alot of people have the same issue, and many of them have work-arounds (which im not comfortable with).. But yes your right. But im not going to go out and dish out money for another sound card (just yet) because of hum.

Thanks

What kind of laptop is it?

Try to get a stabilized power supply... Go to a shop and ask them if you can try those universal 15V-20V power supplys that come with adapters for Acer, Dell, Mac etc.... then run your audio with that supply and check if any type of power supply solves the problem for you.

There are also some kind of adapters that could remove ground loop problems if that should be your issue...

does it happen from all outlets or just the one at your desk, couch or where ever you mix from? It could be wiring in your house/apartment. Maybe treating the outlet rather than the laptop is the answer.

Yeah, if that problem occurs only at home it could be the powersupply of any additional hardware, such as lcd-monitors etc... try to plug your laptop to different outlets in your home and check if the buzzing noise changes. If yes, try to unplug other power supply until you found the one that's responsible for the buzz and replace that...

its an hp pavillion dv6700.

Well i have it plugged into a furman power conditioner that supposedly is supposed to reduce/eliminate hum 100% of the time. Ive strategically plugged in all of my devices and laid down audio and power cables in a neat fashion in the room soo that audio and power are as separate as can be. Even as far as having essential computing devices plugged into a separate power conditioner than the audio devices. i just cant figure it out.. Its crazy.. I can see the hum on the master..

It was weird because i was fooling around with my BBE Maxcom yesterday and i had like zero hum everywhere. As soon as i engaged the sonic maximizer on the Maxcom, the hum came in and i did everything i could to tackle the issue (i.e make sure wiring was all in check, no audio or power cables colliding etc etc) but no luck until i unplugged the ac power adapter from the laptop.

Weird, alot of users here say its that third grounding prong that is the cause and solutions include cutting it off, or covering it with tape, etc etc.. But id much rather buy a proper ac power cord, dont want to risk anything. Plus if HP designed the plug with the third prong its probably there for a reason, removing it could be a problem.

it used to happen with my old setup and i solved it, it now seems to be back like i stated above, when the sonic maximizer is engaged.. its sooo weird.

There are power supplies that are constructed in a different way... so they need only 2 pins. Try to grab one of those. Cutting that one pin from yours is in fact a possible risk to your health.

Soundscapemusic wrote:I can see the hum on the master..

when nothing else is on?
just the master?

Do you have any power saving settings turned on?
Sometimes those settings can change things, like fan or disk speeds. It could be that at higher RPMs you're getting some vibrations that you don't get at lower RPMs when you are running on battery power. Is the mic on on your laptop?
what about onboard sound? If you disable that does it still occur?

and yeah... don't cut that pin.

yea im trying to find a plug with two pins for my laptop.. I dont generally leave my house, because im uber lazy.. and would rather be on ableton duhh soo i do all my shopping online.. Even for my clothes. its rediculous.. Gotta find one online.\

There were no mics connected when i was getting this, i was routing something within ableton to an external compressor and back into ableton, and like i said, the hum only appeared when a feature of the outboard compressor (the sonic maximizer) was engaged.

Soundscapemusic wrote:I dont generally leave my house, because im uber lazy.. and would rather be on ableton duhh soo i do all my shopping online.. Even for my clothes. its rediculous.. Gotta find one online.\

Maybe that buzzing sound is coming from all the flies...

8O wrote:

Soundscapemusic wrote:I dont generally leave my house, because im uber lazy.. and would rather be on ableton duhh soo i do all my shopping online.. Even for my clothes. its rediculous.. Gotta find one online.\

Maybe that buzzing sound is coming from all the flies...

lol hahaha, my house is immaculate. Thats the advantage of being italin mom and nonna still clean the house, make you pasta, and wrap all your furniture in its original plastic wrap. Yup, and the best part is, your not obligated to move out until your at least 35. yupp, lifes good