Morse Code from laptop output?

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soens
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2017/02/13 06:04:34 (permalink)

Morse Code from laptop output?

UFO? Extraterrestrials? Probably not, but when I connected my laptop headphone output to my mixer around 1:50AM this morning, I got the usual static you'd expect from doing so and what sounded like morse code from the right channel only. It seemed to fade in and out of hearing range but for a few minuites was pretty strong. I tried to record it but that wasn't possible.

#1

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    Cactus Music
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    Re: Morse Code from laptop output? 2017/02/13 10:55:22 (permalink)
    I've often used laptops plugged into my PA system via on board headphone output. Either unplugging from AC or removing the ground eliminated background noise. 
    My Netbook was always dead quiet and a few months ago the power supply died. I bought a new one and now I have to do the ground lift again. The original PS was not grounded. 
     
    Wireless mice also make noise. 

    Johnny V  
    Cakelab  
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    3 Desktops and 3 Laptops W7 and W10
     http://www.cactusmusic.ca/
     
     
    #2
    soens
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    Re: Morse Code from laptop output? 2017/02/13 17:11:42 (permalink)
    That works on my older laptop but none of that makes any difference with the new one. I tried a different cable but no change. The fact that the Left side is dead quiet and all the noise is from the Right side tells me the headphone amp or jack wiring may be bad....
     
    or extraterrestrials really are trying to contact me.
     

    #3
    dwardzala
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    Re: Morse Code from laptop output? 2017/02/13 17:32:32 (permalink)
    If you can decode the morse code you will unlock the secret to getting access to the Cakewalk hoverc
     
    Wait, let me go! mmfph, mmf. . . . .

    Dave
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    #4
    dwardzala
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    Re: Morse Code from laptop output? 2017/02/13 17:34:15 (permalink)
    On a serious note, do you have a cell phone nearby, when it happens?  I have heard interference when cell phones are places too close to speaker phones.  It still probably indicates a bad connection or poor shielding somewhere.
     

    Dave
    Main Studio- Core i5 @2.67GHz, 16Gb Ram, (2) 500Gb HDs, (1) 360 Gb HD
    MotU Ultralite AVB, Axiom 49 Midi Controller, Akai MPD18 Midi Controller
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    Mobile Studio - Sager NP8677 (i7-6700HQ @2.67MHz, 16G Ram, 250G SSD, 1T HD)
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    #5
    soens
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    Re: Morse Code from laptop output? 2017/02/13 18:49:44 (permalink)
    No cell but I notice the touch pad adds to the noise similar to a wireless mouse.
     
     
    BTW, headphones don't pick up any noise from the jack.
    post edited by soens - 2017/02/14 05:23:03
    #6
    Cactus Music
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    Re: Morse Code from laptop output? 2017/02/14 12:24:32 (permalink)
    soens
    No cell but I notice the touch pad adds to the noise similar to a wireless mouse.
     
     
    BTW, headphones don't pick up any noise from the jack.




     
    That's a huge clue. That really does indicate the problem is after the fact from the output jack. 
    And a ground loop is still very possible. If you have a battery powered speaker try that. 
     
    Either that or your having to add a lot of gain at the mixer and it's amplifying the  RF interference. Try a different channel on the mixer. Try ground lifting the mixer, Temporarily only to test. 

    Johnny V  
    Cakelab  
    Focusrite 6i61st - Tascam us1641. 
    3 Desktops and 3 Laptops W7 and W10
     http://www.cactusmusic.ca/
     
     
    #7
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