Help fixing signal hum/mouse coming out of monitors? - Page 2

Alan S · 21st February 2011

By separating the audio from power cables I mean making sure the power cables aren't just laying on top of the audio cables.

Make sure your audio cables don't come close to wall warts (those big box type adapters, transformers).

Try getting a new high quality power supply for your computer. I'm using a new one now and I don't notice the noise when scrolling my mouse anymore. I use a Silverstone, fanless, power supply.

Gearowner · 6th March 2011

Which silverstone fanless psu do you mean? Is it quiet or does it have some coil whine? I'm looking into them also, .... not a lot fanless comptetitors (maybe seasonic x series) ...

btw, did the OP solve his problem? Good luck to you man

sharevari · 28th March 2011

I finally got around to buying a ground loop isolator device, this model here:

Masseschleifen-Isolator GL-205 im Conrad Online Shop

And it does the job brilliantly when connecting it between the mixer and the audio interface input. The computer noises are all gone.

However, there's still a loud hum from one of my outboard synths which this doesn't fix. Putting it in-between the synth and the mixer does however fix it.

Do I really need several of these things to get rid of all the hum?

Strongbad · 31st March 2011

Finding that this is a very common issue with all kinds of different interfaces (firewire, usb, pci). It is a ground loop caused by the computer. "Dirty Power". There are posts everywhere about it.

People have tried different PCI cards, PSU's, different interfaces and nothing works for them while sometimes it works for others. Their interface works great on one computer but not on another. Some laptop users in the US can either unplug the AC and use the comps battery or use an "Ebtech Hum X" on their AC to solve the problem.

BREAKING THE LOOP in some form or another is the only true fix that I can find.

Ebtech has a "Hum Eliminator" that will supposedly break the ground loop but I don't know how much they effect the sound. They claim that they don't. I have one on order so I guess I'll find out. (Nady, Behringer, ART and HOSA also make them)

BUT... one thing I am curious about is a couple of devices that I found online. If you do a search for "USB Isolators" or "Firewire Isolators" you will find several devices that remove the current from the USB or Firewire cable (if your interface is bus powered you will need to use the power supply for it).
HAS ANYONE EVER TRIED ONE OF THESE? I guess they are used alot in Video Post work.

Most Interface manufacturers recommend using a PCI(e) card with a Texas Instruments chipset. I have one on the way that Avid "qualified". But if this doesn't fix my problem I will order one of these "isolators" and see if they work. Might be an easy fix other than customizing cables.

I can use all of my gear with my interface in 'stand alone' mode with no noise at all but as soon as I incorporate the computer it sounds like C-3PO having a seizure!

21st February 2011	#31
Alan S Gear Head Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 43	By separating the audio from power cables I mean making sure the power cables aren't just laying on top of the audio cables. Make sure your audio cables don't come close to wall warts (those big box type adapters, transformers). Try getting a new high quality power supply for your computer. I'm using a new one now and I don't notice the noise when scrolling my mouse anymore. I use a Silverstone, fanless, power supply. __________________ http://www.stringcritic.com Guitar String Reviews, Ratings, and Comparisons. Compare with audio files.

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6th March 2011	#32
Gearowner Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Behind you! Posts: 155	Which silverstone fanless psu do you mean? Is it quiet or does it have some coil whine? I'm looking into them also, .... not a lot fanless comptetitors (maybe seasonic x series) ... btw, did the OP solve his problem? Good luck to you man

28th March 2011	#33
sharevari Gear interested Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 5	I finally got around to buying a ground loop isolator device, this model here: Masseschleifen-Isolator GL-205 im Conrad Online Shop And it does the job brilliantly when connecting it between the mixer and the audio interface input. The computer noises are all gone. However, there's still a loud hum from one of my outboard synths which this doesn't fix. Putting it in-between the synth and the mixer does however fix it. Do I really need several of these things to get rid of all the hum?

31st March 2011	#34
Strongbad Gear interested Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 2	Finding that this is a very common issue with all kinds of different interfaces (firewire, usb, pci). It is a ground loop caused by the computer. "Dirty Power". There are posts everywhere about it. People have tried different PCI cards, PSU's, different interfaces and nothing works for them while sometimes it works for others. Their interface works great on one computer but not on another. Some laptop users in the US can either unplug the AC and use the comps battery or use an "Ebtech Hum X" on their AC to solve the problem. BREAKING THE LOOP in some form or another is the only true fix that I can find. Ebtech has a "Hum Eliminator" that will supposedly break the ground loop but I don't know how much they effect the sound. They claim that they don't. I have one on order so I guess I'll find out. (Nady, Behringer, ART and HOSA also make them) BUT... one thing I am curious about is a couple of devices that I found online. If you do a search for "USB Isolators" or "Firewire Isolators" you will find several devices that remove the current from the USB or Firewire cable (if your interface is bus powered you will need to use the power supply for it). HAS ANYONE EVER TRIED ONE OF THESE? I guess they are used alot in Video Post work. Most Interface manufacturers recommend using a PCI(e) card with a Texas Instruments chipset. I have one on the way that Avid "qualified". But if this doesn't fix my problem I will order one of these "isolators" and see if they work. Might be an easy fix other than customizing cables. I can use all of my gear with my interface in 'stand alone' mode with no noise at all but as soon as I incorporate the computer it sounds like C-3PO having a seizure!