Ableton Forum

Hey all i've posted this issue a couple times but to no avail.

Now I'm wondering if anyone would be so kind enough to PM me their email and take a listen to my dj set and try to help me diagnose a weird buzzing sound that just overtakes the audio playback (kind of sounds like beat repeat gone wild layered on top of the track) It happens with nearly every set i record off of live and I still haven't been able to come up with a solution.

To any takers...i will be forever in your debt and will be happy to help out anyway i can on my end!

Try unplugging the power cable and see if it goes away. It might be a power issue.

Buzzing usually implies grounding issues. Make sure your turntables / mixer have the ground wire connected. Also, are you using 3 prong plugs for all your gear? If so, have you tested the outlets to make sure they are actually wired correctly? You can get a cheap tester to see if they are at any hardware store.

I am only using headphone in while mixing, i don't have an output for the sound since i am in a small apartment, so i don't think it's an issue with grounding etc

Illuminator wrote:so i don't think it's an issue with grounding etc

Easy to test if you have a laptop (so you don't just "think" its not a problem) - just unplug the power cable, if it runs without the buzzing on battery, it's a grounding issue.

Son of a gun cotdagoo...you're right, thank you so much for your help!!

you can get a filter for electrical noise. i use an APC battery backup for that, but there are some that are stand alone units.

they can be a little pricey, but if you think about the stress it saves your computer (and anything else plugged into it) coupled with the fact that it solves your audio issue it's not a bad deal at all.

this one is similar to the two i use:

http://www.techexcess.net/Apc-Battery-B ... a-Aba.aspx

out of stock ATM, but gives you a general idea. your google works as good as mine.

I bought one of these a few years ago before I re-wired my house - http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2062214
Called a 'ground loop isolator' - Not sure if RCA cables are any use - but I've used a few adapters on my RCAs to get to 1/4" without problems.

I'm just amazed that you were able to point out the issue so easily...i have been having difficulties with that buzzing for almost a year now and just ignored it....thank you so much for your help.

I guess i'll have to pick up one of those backup batteries, it's not too pricey considering i spent quite a bit on my gear, might as well avoid any distortions.

Thanks a million guys!!

just get a $0.75 ground lift at Home Depot or similar - try that first before throwing any more money at the problem.

^ that will definitely prove (or disprove) the hypothesis. could be wise to avoid just plain ole being wrong, but the fact remains that the other gear is a good thing.

probably the most overlooked and underrated part on a PC is the power supply. clean power is like healthy food.

Cymatic Kicks wrote:Try unplugging the power cable and see if it goes away. It might be a power issue.

These work well too from what I've read:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifie ... terminator