I cant remember whether or not the 828 has got a mains PSU or whether they have an external PSU. If its got an internal mains PSU I would bet the noise you are hearing is the rectification of mains voltage or the supply of power if you like. It is the product of turning an oscillating volatege (UK50Hz 240v US 110v 60Hz) into a lower supply voltage and then turning it from AC to DC. Its very possible you have a fault. Personally I would get this checked out with the dealer against a new one. The PSU would have a bridge rectifier that the bit making the noise possibley, and that going, could allow AC to flow into the 828 low voltage, but AC never the less, it may not be a problem but do youself a favour and get it checked out.

If it has an external PSU then check it for a symbol that says its DC. It could be AC, in this case the unit would still have rectification inside it to go wrong.

This happened to me with a Layla 20, and it started going thump thump when I turned it on! Eventually I had to replace a birdge rectifier inside the breakout box and all was well. BUT I stopped using it before it blew up.

Good Luck.

PS....Dont mean to concern you, just give you the information I have!

Jake,
Thanks for your suggestions. I will talk to the MOTU tech support
ASAP.

So....no one else has the same humming sound as I have?

Nothing here, either. Low-level (60hz?) buzz-type sound if I put my ear close to the case, but nothing that would qualify as a hizz-type sound. Nothing coming through my powered monitors either.

ORIGINAL: cpa872
Hi Steve,

The sound is the "zz" sound when I turn on the MOTU.
It sounds like the electricity is "flowing" in the MOTU...

Do you get any (even tiny) sounds from MOTU after you turn it on?

I do get this, though and believe it is normal (mic preamps most likely).

You may want to make sure it is not your connections - unplug everything and see if you still hear it.

cpa: it is still not clear from your posts if you are talking about hearing something through your speakers, although:
it is clear that the electrical sound you are hearing is from the physical box, hopefully low (like mine) so as not to be audible from a few feet away.

ORIGINAL: michael japan

mine has a big click like pop when I turn it on. Is that grounding?

Michael, mine sends a loud bump-type sound out the monitors at a level which I am not comfortable with, so I always power my monitors AFTER the MOTU.

AH~~~
I think my ability of describing things is bad, bad, bad~~~

Steve: I think mine "z" sounds more like how you described:
a buzzing sound (not high frequency). I still can hear it buzz in the distance
of 2-3 feet, but it's not very clear when I stand further than 6-7 feet away
from my MOTU. (Well, I should say I have good ears and is well-trained
in the academic-music-school system.)
Actually, your words make me feel A LOT better! At least I am not the
only one who hear that buzz.
Since I heard that buzz-type sound from the first second I turn on the
MOTU, I was wondering if this is "sort of" normal for the 828 or not.

BTW, the buzz-type sound seems not relate to the connections. I heard the
sound everytime when I turn on the MOTU, whether it's connected to something
or just by itself.
And, the sound is from the physical machine, not thru the headphone or
monitors (I don't even have a pair of monitors yet...)

ORIGINAL: SteveJL

Nothing here, either. Low-level (60hz?) buzz-type sound if I put my ear close to the case, but nothing that would qualify as a hizz-type sound. Nothing coming through my powered monitors either.

ORIGINAL: cpa872
Hi Steve,

The sound is the "zz" sound when I turn on the MOTU.
It sounds like the electricity is "flowing" in the MOTU...

Do you get any (even tiny) sounds from MOTU after you turn it on?

I do get this, though and believe it is normal (mic preamps most likely).

You may want to make sure it is not your connections - unplug everything and see if you still hear it.

cpa: it is still not clear from your posts if you are talking about hearing something through your speakers, although:
it is clear that the electrical sound you are hearing is from the physical box, hopefully low (like mine) so as not to be audible from a few feet away.

WOW.... so just from turning the actual MOTU on, without using any speakers or headphones you hear the buzz? that can't be good... mine certainly doesn't do that... Maybe try plugging it into a different power outlet, or if it's in a power bar try plugging it into it's own outlet by itself. I wonder if this is a power issue...

Dave

I think you probably want to either, contact MOTU support OR go to your local MOTU Dealer, have them plug one in and see how it sounds in comparison.

Personally, I'm not alarmed by mine as it is really so low as to not be a concern to me (I kinda have to put my ear against the case to hear it).
_________________________________________________________________

ORIGINAL: RRabbi

WOW.... so just from turning the actual MOTU on, without using any speakers or headphones you hear the buzz? that can't be good... mine certainly doesn't do that... Maybe try plugging it into a different power outlet, or if it's in a power bar try plugging it into it's own outlet by itself. I wonder if this is a power issue...

Dave

Dave, do you hear anything when you put your ear to the case when it is on? (in a quiet room).

Err~~~
Then I think I need to call them this morning.

Thanks Dave. I will do the "plugging" tests ASAP.

ORIGINAL: RRabbi

WOW.... so just from turning the actual MOTU on, without using any speakers or headphones you hear the buzz? that can't be good... mine certainly doesn't do that... Maybe try plugging it into a different power outlet, or if it's in a power bar try plugging it into it's own outlet by itself. I wonder if this is a power issue...
Dave

i'll try putting my ear against it and see...

ORIGINAL: RRabbi

i'll try putting my ear against it and see...

So, Dave, what did you get after you do this??