HI ALL ... I'm on a mission to solve a persistent system noise
It occurs in SONAR X3e only ...I have refined my circumstance to compare an almost "clean" NORMAL project and a project involving multiple synths, plugins ...3 -5 guitar tracks, bass track, 1 - 4 vocal tracks
I copied my most recent inquiry to Focusrite ... has anyone experienced a similar condition?
If you've responded before ...I've most likely tried you suggestions ...
 
This weekend I will completely disconnect every input from the interface
Thanks for Any Feedback
Roy
 
Hello and Good Day to You...
As always ...I am very happy with Focusrite products ... and your support staff.
I've been working my way through a problem that results in a series of noises that could be described as "ground noise".... possibly 60 cycle hum ...but that's not the case. I've recently corresponded with your staff about this and downloaded a beta driver for the Scarlett 18i6 ...which is working well.

When I open a production template ...it has one plugin which is not activated ...that's Nomad Factory's "Cosmos" ...there is no noise as described above... or at least it's quite minimal ...after adding a couple synths, a drum program (typically Addictive Drums 2 by XLN audio) ... an annoying little "buzz" starts to occur. The synths can be anything from Z3ta+, Komplete Kontrol 10, Arturia Mini Moog ...the selections are always varying and no one culprit can be clearly identified.

I cannot with confidence say the problem resides in the Scarlett 18i6... it appears that way ...the noise comes through the headphone jack ..eliminating any board issues... (at least I believe this is correct)
The issue is a bit confusing ...it does not come out in finished client projects fortunately.

Have you or anyone there encountered anything similar to this?

Thank You SO Much for Any Feedback ...
Best Regards,
Roy

I'm in two minds as to whether to move this to "Hardware"...
 
To keep it Sonar related for now..  Have you checked that things inside Sonar that deliberately create noise (for example, the tape emulator in the pro channel) are not the source of the noise?
 
If the noise doesn't appear in the final rendered output, as you suggest, it would imply it is not a Sonar problem but a monitoring problem in your interface.  In which case this should really be in "Hardware".
 
 
 
Yeah, ok,  I once spent nearly 2 hours unplugging and replugging everything in my studio trying to find the source of "mains hum" only to find it was the noise control set to high on the tape emulator for the bass guitar...

From your description, it sounds as though it's 60Hz hum (or 50Hz depending on where you are). Assuming your integrated audio interface has been disabled, that can really only come in via the Scarlett. I'm guessing it goes away if you disconnect the USB cable, right?
 
It could be a developing problem in your interface, such as a leaky power supply filter capacitor or a bad internal ground connection. But before returning the Focusrite for service, I'd suggest trying another interface if that's an option. Maybe a friend who has one, or an accommodating music store that'll let you borrow or rent one. Also, for the sake of covering all bases, try a different USB cable.
 
I had a similar issue with my old UA-25 years ago. I went as far as wrapping the whole unit in aluminum foil and grounding it. Nothing helped. I then replaced it with a MOTU - and that one was a little noisy too. So I replaced that USB unit with a Firewire equivalent and only then did the hum disappear. Was it because of the USB interface? Seems unlikely, but not impossible. Today I'm using a Saffire Pro 40, similar to your unit except with a Firewire interface. It's almost completely silent, a little hiss but no line hum at all.
 
 

HI Karyn ...Thank you for your reply...
I plan to go through the entire installation tomorrow ...possibly as far as removing the board completely out of the loop..... I'll report my findings !!!

Hi Bitflipper!!! Thanks for your reply!!!
 
I will definitely try another interface in the whole investigation process.... I have an AUDIO KONTROL 1 from NI which has always been super quiet.... been thinking about that step all day!!!
 
I will report my findings when they're available!!! ...soon
 

Use headphones for testing.  It may be the "buzz" is present from the git. And with headphones you can CAREFULLY adjust the volume to way loud to hear what may be lurking.
 
Fur Shure: disconnect all the inputs and outputs and listen with headphones as you build the project. This will help determine if it is the Focusrite.
 
You could just disconnect one at a time, if still buzzing, connect again, and then proceed.  But removing and inserting for ALL connections in the audio path is good to do for general maintenance. ALL AC, all audio cables on both ends,.... even the mouse/keyboard and monitor connections can deteriorate and cause static noise and fuzzy thinking.
 
If you start with no inputs/outputs, and all is good with the Focusrite, with the project open, start adding inputs. Then the outputs  Take off the headphone during connections.
 
If the input is a synth, listen with synth power off, and then with power on, and then with changing the volume.
 
 
For testing no other cables should be connected to the computer that are connected to powered devices, such as a network cable, powered external drive, powered usb hub,...
 
Got powered speakers? Are they grounded via the AC plug?
My speakers do NOT have a grounding plug. Came that way.
 
All AC items connected to the same strips/filters?
 
When you find the culprit, assuming it is not the Focusrite, test with ground lift, and reversing polarity.
 
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I have a guitar signal splitter that works great with a battery. But will not stop humming using any 9v power supply.