Circuits, Lighting, Bulbs, Grounding? Mic Line hum Help!

[The Dark Lord]

So I basiccally have a 12'x16' live room I just built with two electrical outlets on each 16' side. I had a custom wallbox made which I recently installed (neutrik/switchcraft connectors) and decided to do a test of all the mic lines to make sure everything would be good to go. I put a stereo in the middle of the room and miced it up. I had about 12 inputs used and 12 armed tracks in pro tools receiving the signal fine. I didn't seem to notice any kind of background hum or noise, besides the little bit of static from the radio station (Tom Leykis). The next day I set up a single condenser (PPA LD-1, great budget mic) and noticed an extreme hum, especially with the enabling of the 48v. I have two small lamps in the room. So first things first, I shut them off and noticed a huge decrease in hum. I then shut off the ac which is in the lounge at the opposite side of the studio and noticed less hum. At this point it would be tolerable, but I would have no AC or lights running! lol I've heard dimmers, and certain bulbs cause excess noise. What else should I try besides whiching bulbs and running my gear from a separate circuit? Unfortunately the music school i went to didnt really teach us about isolation transformers and circuits and bla bla...I just want to get to recording already! with clean signal! HELP!!!!

[Geoff_T]

Hi

I'd need more information...

Do the power outlets have a decent ground connected to them?

Are you using electronic lamp dimmers?

Hopefully the first answer is yes and the second is no...

[paully]

May be some ideas here dimmer for the studio - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums that'll help.

Best, Paul

[chezero]