(I am very new to all of this, so please keep that in mind).
I have a Roland FA-08 plugged into a Tascam US 4x4 via TRS cables. Tascam is USB into a homebuilt computer. I also have the FA08 plugged in USB into the computer. I have two JBL monitors plugged into the Tascam for output. I just purchased a used studio desk with a tray for an 88 key board and put everything together this past weekend.
I am not really familiar with the Tascam, but I have it up and working well. I am just learning about recording audio and Midi (as I said, I'm really new). I noticed after I got everything together this weekend I have quite a bit of electrical noise in JBL monitors when I turned up the line out on the Tascam. The noise is substantial. I tracked down the noise to the USB cable that goes from the FA08 to the computer. From the keyboard tray, I had the power, TRS cables, and USB all nicely zip tied together and mounted to the desk so I could pull the keyboard tray in and out easily. Obviously, zip tieing the USB together with the TRS cables is causing the noise (as soon as I disconnect the USB from the FA08, the noise goes away).
To the point, I think I have a few options..
1) Is there such thing as a better or "shielded" 1/4 cable I could use that would withstand the USB noise? What I have now is 6' unbalanced cables from Guitar Center. If I could buy something better, I would prefer that, because my option number 2 is:
2) Drill some holes and modify the desk to physically separate the TRS from the USB. Even so, I think at some point they will be in contact, but it would only be for a few inches. If they are close to one another for a few inches I don't know if that will actually solve the problem.
3) Just simply disconnect the TRS cables, and record only through the USB, and use the Tascam only for the output to the JBL. I would prefer to keep the Tascam for the output, as that is less cables going to the keyboard. In addition, I am saving for a Moog which would require the Tascam.
As I said am trying to learn. The noise is too much, and I know I need to do something about it.
Thank you.