jerotas
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My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
What could cause this? It's not a nonstop crackle, and it doesn't get any louder or quieter if I turn up the speakers' volumes. I also get a quiet hum that comes on and off sometimes. It's very annoying because sometimes I'm not sure if I recorded crackling or if it's my speakers being weird. The computer is VISTA 32-bit I use a MOTU Traveler MK3 into a KRK 10s subwoofer, into 2 KRK Rokit 5's. I use a surge protector, but not a power conditioner. Yes the sub and the 5's are all "powered" speakers. Thanks, Brian
post edited by jerotas - 2009/08/18 15:32:31
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papa2005
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 03:38:14
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Sounds like the power amp component of the speakers might be going bad. Have you tried monitoring with headphones to see if the "crackling" is actually in the signal chain or just a result of your monitors?
Regards, Papa CLICK HERE for a link to support for SONAR 8.5 CLICK HERE to view a list of video tutorials... CLICK HERE for a link to Getting Started with Session Drummer 3...
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strikinglyhandsome1
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 04:37:14
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Well I was just about to say that KRKs are prone to this and as I read on I see you have KRKs. I personally wouldn't touch KRK for this reason, as it's too common. I know people will leap on and say they have no trouble with their KRKs but it's a known problem and known by the company itself.
BTW, yours may have nothing to do with being KRKs as it can be a number of things such as placement, connections to other things, cables, bad eleccy etc.
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Beagle
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 08:48:13
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do you have them near a CRT? are your cables shielded?
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Crg
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 09:48:17
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I use a MOTU Traveler MK3 into a KRK 10s subwoofer, into 2 KRK Rokit 5's. I use a surge protector, but not a power conditioner Could be a ground loop also. The sub and monitors are the powered variety? Since you're sending a signal to the monitors via the sub the order that you have them plugged in could make a difference. I've removed static in my system by changing the order of the power plugs. Something to try.
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CJaysMusic
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 10:28:36
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What could cause this? It's not a nonstop crackle, and it doesn't get any louder or quieter if I turn up the speakers' volumes. I also get a quiet hum that comes on and off sometimes. It's very annoying because sometimes I'm not sure if I recorded crackling or if it's my speakers being weird. I use a MOTU Traveler MK3 into a KRK 10s subwoofer, into 2 KRK Rokit 5's. I use a surge protector, but not a power conditioner. 1. Do you have Wireless enabled?? 2. Have you checked for grounding issue's tT 2.1 Try another outlet, not on the current grid your on now. 2.2 Try using a ground lift, but be very very careful and make sure something else is grounded in that chain or you will be fried chicken. 2.3 Try using as different power source or extension cable. 2.4 Does your power/extension cable have a ground lift. 3. Try using different speaker cables, Not instrument cables. There's a difference. Cj
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jerotas
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 12:35:31
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papa2005: Yes the crackling is audible when using headphones too. I don't think there's a "signal chain" per se. I have monitoring for all inputs muted. So it's just my computer --> MOTU --> headphones. Plus all the things feeding my inputs are turned off.
Beagle: I am using a laptop, so no CRT is in the vacinity. How do I know if my cables are shielded? It's 2 TRS cables from the MOTU to the sub, and then 2 XLR's from the sub to the monitors. I assume I'm only worried about the TRS cables being sheilded? The TRS's are one Monster cable and one "other" cable, but if I'm hearing the crackling on headphones, this probably doesn't matter.
CRG: There's a ground life switch on the subwoofer. Turning this one does not get rid of the crackling. But then, the crackling is on the headphones too.
I tried plugging the subwoofer into a different outlet (may have been on the same circuit). Didn't get rid of crackling.
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jerotas
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 12:36:57
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CJaysMusic
1. Do you have Wireless enabled??
2. Have you checked for grounding issue's tT
2.1 Try another outlet, not on the current grid your on now.
2.2 Try using a ground lift, but be very very careful and make sure something else is grounded in that chain or you will be fried chicken.
2.3 Try using as different power source or extension cable.
2.4 Does your power/extension cable have a ground lift.
3. Try using different speaker cables, Not instrument cables. There's a difference.
Cj
Wireless internet is on...why does that matter? Are you suggesting I use speaker cable for line-level signals? These are powered speakers. And no my extension cord (that I haven't used yet) doesn't have a ground lift.
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batsbrew
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 13:11:50
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Iif the crackling is in the headphones too, then it isn't the monitors.
by the way, i use passive KRK's, no problems.
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strikinglyhandsome1
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 13:35:42
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Wireless interfers with your sound from crackling to skipping.
It sounds like a ground issue. You may need to start pulling cables and checking exactly when the noise stops as you mess with things. It should reveal where the problem is.
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jerotas
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 13:37:22
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batsbrew
Iif the crackling is in the headphones too, then it isn't the monitors.
by the way, i use passive KRK's, no problems.
I realize that. Someone else reading the thread might not, so thank you :)
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Beagle
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 13:54:18
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Beagle: I am using a laptop, so no CRT is in the vacinity. How do I know if my cables are shielded? It's 2 TRS cables from the MOTU to the sub, and then 2 XLR's from the sub to the monitors. I assume I'm only worried about the TRS cables being sheilded? The TRS's are one Monster cable and one "other" cable, but if I'm hearing the crackling on headphones, this probably doesn't matter right - if you're hearing it in the headphones, then that's probably not the problem. however, the wireless interent could be causing CPU spikes which can cause "crackling" noises on the soundcard. also - if you have a webcam or other devices like that - those can cause these problems as well.
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jerotas
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 14:01:01
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Ok, I'll try turning off the wireless. Then I'll try unplugging almost everything and see if it goes away. I'll report back later. Thanks for the suggestions.
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slartabartfast
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 14:01:02
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jerotas
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 14:03:01
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slartabartfast
But it's in headphones too (crackling).
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CJaysMusic
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 14:32:50
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Wireless internet is on...why does that matter?
Just disable it. It matters allot. you should not have wireless enabled when soanr is running if your gettign static or artifacrs. This is what mainly causes it Cj EDIT: just try it without wireless enabled. Disable it in your device manager and/or BIOS
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jerotas
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 14:37:31
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CJaysMusic
Wireless internet is on...why does that matter?
Just disable it. It matters allot. you should not have wireless enabled when soanr is running if your gettign static or artifacrs. This is what mainly causes it
Cj
EDIT: just try it without wireless enabled. Disable it in your device manager and/or BIOS
I have a switch on my laptop that turns off wireless...can I just use that? Even if I'm not in Sonar, I get the crackles (just using Photoshop let's say).
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strikinglyhandsome1
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 14:39:08
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Go into network connections and right click the icon and disable it.
How about your power options?
Is it set to 'always on' or the equivalent?
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jerotas
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 14:41:05
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strikinglyhandsome1
How about your power options?
Is it set to 'always on' or the equivalent?
Which power options are those? I know I turned off the screen saver and told it to run for best performance (since I'm not using battery).
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strikinglyhandsome1
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 14:46:42
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In windows, usually under performance and maintenance - it has power options
'Always on' or the equivalent is a must for some.
You need to pull out a few things and disconnect and test stuff until the noise goes away. It's how you narrow it down.
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dontletmedrown
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 14:49:39
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Ahh, nevermind- I see my suggestion does not apply.
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CJaysMusic
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/18 15:00:54
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I have a switch on my laptop that turns off wireless...can I just use that? Even if I'm not in Sonar, I get the crackles (just using Photoshop let's say). I dont know. Try ity and see. Then try it in the device manager and see, then try it in the bios and see. Just get to the bottom of it, by doing everytihng that needs to be done. Also, check for IRQ conflicts when your done ruling out your wireless Cj
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jerotas
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Re:My studio monitors crackle...even when I'm not playing any audio.
2009/08/19 00:00:48
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Turned out to be a probably unshielded cable to one of the monitors. Fixed!
post edited by jerotas - 2009/08/21 18:51:39
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