FuddyDuddy
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Problems with computer noise coming through USB
I am having a problem with some sort of noise coming through my USB port to my audio interface. It sounds like a combination of shortwave radio and the Titanic signalling SOS. I have tried 3 different USB audio interfaces, and it appears on all of them to some degree.
The level is low, but it drives me batty when I am working with quiet bits of music. I have seen ads for a USB dongle called the Black Box, which is some sort of dc to dc isolator thingy, but I suspect that removes everything ac, including the signal.
I am about to give up on the USB interfaces, and switch to a firewire audio interface, but that's too expensive for me at the moment.
Does anyone else have problems like this, or have any ideas for solutions?
Thanks.. FD
Producer X3e Pro, Win7, Gateway P-7805u laptop Intel 2.26 gHz dual core 4 GB, Roland V-Studio 20, Alesis M1 520 monitors, Sennheiser HD-380 headphones
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Re:Problems with computer noise coming through USB
2012/05/04 22:14:09
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If its a signal form the Titanic, then by all means, tell them there's an ice berg dead ahead!
Its probably a grounding issue. I have the issue with my laptop and what solves it is one of those three pi to two pin converters for the power cable.
SP
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FuddyDuddy
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Re:Problems with computer noise coming through USB
2012/05/04 22:19:06
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Thanks Seth. I'll give that a try... essentially unground the laptop power supply?
Producer X3e Pro, Win7, Gateway P-7805u laptop Intel 2.26 gHz dual core 4 GB, Roland V-Studio 20, Alesis M1 520 monitors, Sennheiser HD-380 headphones
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Re:Problems with computer noise coming through USB
2012/05/04 22:19:50
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FuddyDuddy
Thanks Seth. I'll give that a try... essentially unground the laptop power supply?
As strange as it sounds, yes. And, thankfully, its a cheap solution. :-) SP
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M_Glenn_M
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Re:Problems with computer noise coming through USB
2012/05/04 22:47:31
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Producer Exp x1d Win XP, intel Core2 Duo CPU E4600 @ 2.4 GHz, 2 GHz RAM Nvidia gforce 8500 GT BR800 controller , DR880 drum machine. GR20 guitar synth, Alesis QX25 KRK 6 + 10" sub. Sennheiser HD280pro cans 2 Yamaki acoustics, Korean Strat, 60's Jazzmaster, 60's BF Deluxe Reverb,
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djwayne
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Re:Problems with computer noise coming through USB
2012/05/05 00:03:11
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I have a similar problem with computer noise. I just tried the grounding adapter suggestion, but it didn't make much difference. My only solution is to turn down my studio amp and crank up the computer volume. Doing this gets rid of the noise and still gives me a nice clean and loud sound. I'm used to running my amp at a high volume and low computer volume, but on my new Dell computer it doesn't work that way for some unknown reason. So I have to turn down my amp and turn up the computer. YMMV.
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FuddyDuddy
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Re:Problems with computer noise coming through USB
2012/05/05 17:53:00
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Ah phooey. Ungrounding and running on batteries doesn't fix it. Turning up the computer volume and lowering the amp helps, but the noise is still there on quiet spots. I think my computer is acting like an antenna for stray rf signals, or maybe it's just harmonics of all the computer high frequency signals.
When money permits, I will try a firewire interface.
Thanks for the suggestions guys..
Producer X3e Pro, Win7, Gateway P-7805u laptop Intel 2.26 gHz dual core 4 GB, Roland V-Studio 20, Alesis M1 520 monitors, Sennheiser HD-380 headphones
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Karyn
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Re:Problems with computer noise coming through USB
2012/05/05 18:11:51
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Another sujestion that you won't like... Video cards and some cheap TFT screens can inject that sort of noise onto the power bus whichyou then hear through the speakers.
As you're using a laptop you're stuck with both the video card and the screen, but you can isolate the power on the usb with a plugin filter or a powered usb hub.
(Edit) : The Titanic never sent SOS, that didn't come into use untill later. The distress call of the time was CQD
Mekashi Futo. Get 10% off all Waves plugins.Current DAW. i7-950, Gigabyte EX58-UD5, 12Gb RAM, 1Tb SSD, 2x2Tb HDD, nVidia GTX 260, Antec 1000W psu, Win7 64bit, Studio 192, Digimax FS, KRK RP8G2, Sonar Platinum
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JazzSinger
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Re:Problems with computer noise coming through USB
2012/05/05 19:10:32
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A firewire interface will not behave any different. Try a different laptop before you spend time and money.
The Titanic initially sent the Cease Communication, Distress (CQD) code, then switched over to the then-new SOS.
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