Hi guys,
 
I have read a few similar threads to the one I initiate just now, but I haven't found one with quite the same issue I'm experiencing. I'm hoping that someone out there might know something I don't that will help me to find a solution!
 
I've recently put together a new system. I built a PC (basic specs should be in my signature) and upgraded to SONAR Platinum.
I also got a Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 as I couldn't get my old Roland SI-24 to talk to Windows 10.
 
After tweaking a few settings, everything seems to be running well... But I do have this odd, high-pitched humming coming from one of my monitor speakers. I've experimented a bit to try and diagnose the problem and I can report that:
*The interference is only being picked up by one speaker (if I swap the speakers the sound follows the speaker)
*The interference is unaffected by the volume control on the 18i8 and continues even if I mute the outputs.
*The interference even seems unaffected by the volume control on the monitor speaker itself.
*The interference does stop if I disconnect the cable to the speaker.
*It also seems to respond to movements of the mouse to some extent (ie - it stops momentarily if I click or use the scroll wheel)
*No interference can be heard in the headphones
 
But here's the really weird bit:
*I only get the interference within SONAR with a project open
*If no project is open - no interference
*If I open the 'preferences' dialogue - no interference
 
*If I play music through Windows (still going through the 18i8 and the monitor speakers) - no interference.
*If I open up plugs like GTR3 or instruments like EZdrummer2 in standalone mode I can use those too - with no interference.
 
There seems to be some interaction between SONAR, the 18i8 and one of my speakers!
Any ideas?
 
Thanks for your time already if you've read this far!
Any help that anyone could offer would be highly appreciated :)
 
Peace,
 
Darren

Sounds like you have an Input open with Input Echo turned on.  Try a new, clean project with no tracks and see if the noise is still there.  See if the noise appears when you add a new track with the 18i8 as input...
 
Have you left a guitar cable plugged into the 18i8 but not connected to anything else?

How old are the monitors? Are they power monitors? It could be a leaky capacitor. As you say "It's only one speaker even when you change channels.

What a strange problem! First you need to eliminate a few things. Are the monitors plugged into the same power socket? If not, make sure they are. What type of leads are you using from your Focusrite to the monitors? balanced/unbalanced, jack to jack, jack to xlr ?  When you change the monitors around, are you simply switching over jacks on the Focusrite, or changing which lead is plugged into the monitor?
 
 
It sounds like a filtering issue, even if Sonar is somehow causing the effect. But if we can do a few tests and eliminate the leads or speaker, that will be a start. Does the interference stop if you hit E or click on the master FX button, turning off all effects?

Does the noise come through headphone on focusrite or just monitors..

Karyn
Sounds like you have an Input open with Input Echo turned on.  Try a new, clean project with no tracks and see if the noise is still there.  See if the noise appears when you add a new track with the 18i8 as input...
 
Have you left a guitar cable plugged into the 18i8 but not connected to anything else?

Good idea, Karyn,
had the same issue ,the cause were some open input echos....

I had the same problem with one of my Equator Audio's after EA repaired them. The interference was triggered by things like moving the mouse and opening windows, but it did seem extra pronounced with Sonar open. Unfortunately I never solved the problem and ended up replacing the monitors (problem is gone now).

You could always try something like a Furman power conditioner to see if that helps.

More thinking aloud here since this is a very odd issue. The "sound following the speaker" is what baffles me. Input echo should follow the channel, so a speaker swap would jump speakers. It is almost like that one speaker is more sensitive to EMI than the other, and both may be seeing the same thing, just only one reacts. Did I misinterpret the following speaker part?

The testing you did just makes things more complex; incredibly odd. You don't perchance have another set of speakers to test do you?

Could be a ground loop problem.
You have one ground connection each through the HS50 cables and a third one through the interface, computer down to ground.
 
First, try using TRS jack-to-jack cables to the HS50's if you are not already doing so (looks like stereo headphone jacks) and ensure the cables themselves are balanced/"stereo".
 
If that doesn't help, try this:
 
Make (or get someone to make) a short extension cable about a foot long and use twin flex cable, not 3 core. The idea is to not have an earth connection.
 
Now put that cable between the buzzing HS50 and it's mains connection.
 
If that stops the buzzing, dispose of the modified extension cable (it can be dangeous) and get an isolating audio transformer to connect between your interface and the HS50's.
 
One good affordable unit is Behringer's HD400. It has two channels, so it will accomodate both speakers.