Power Supply interference with Audio

This is very odd. I have heard about the interference when using the built-in audio card, but the Indigo always seemed to solve (workaround) it...

This is strange, perhaps something is up with the PCMCIA slot? How strong is the buzzing?

-myrkat

Probably some frequency interference from the power supply. This was the culprit in the built-in soundcard problems, but as I said, a PC-Card (Indigo) usually fixed / bypassed that.

I'm wondering if there is just unusually high freq. resonance from the AC power or power supply inside...? Some things to try: NEW power adapter (the plug/brick part); or a new powersupply (meaning: send you machine in and have it replaced).

Not really a desirable solution, but that's where I'm thinking you might be headed.

-myrkat

No, I do not have any experience with the Echo Indigo or the 4760. I was refering to past posts in general regarding sound buzzing problems (I think they were on the 56xx series, but there could be others). The solutions in those threads was to use the Indigo and that seemed to solve it for the people having the problem.

Sorry for any confusion, but I am just going by memory here of past threads. Search around the forums, and you'll see the ones I mean.

-myrkat

Are you sure it's not a grounding loop that needs to be fixed? If it is, get a power strip and plug all audio and audio/computer related equipment into the same outlet or grounding system. If you have any direct boxes, try using the ground lift.

If the problem has occured with multiple sound cards in the same system, it has a very strong likelyhood to be a grounding issue.

Well, a ground loop in an audio system causes problems because there can be variances from one ground to another. This can cause problems for a lot of things actually. (A bit OT, you can blow out a parallel port if you have a printer and a computer with a grounding issue) What can happen is that there can be voltage differences between the ground, and voltage creates current. This current will flow through the system and can be detected as a buzz in the output. You can eliminate the ground loop by removing as many ground points in the system as possible, or by placing as many devices as possible on the same ground.

Generally, by placing the equipment on the same outlet, you will be grounded to the same spot, but actually that might not solve the ground issue entirely.

Ground loops can be difficult to understand, and are caused by many many things, so can be difficult to fix. What type of recording equipment are you using? Mixers? Multitrack recorders?

One thing you can easily do is to use a power isolator, which can break the ground loop. You could also, but maybe NOT safely, use an ungrounded to grounded AC plug adapter for the laptop power supply. I am not sure, but the PSUs for the Sager laptops may actually not need the ground, but I am not sure.

I don't recommend removing the ground of something that has it, because it can cause damage, and safety hazards.

Hey GreenL, just thought I'd toss in my 2 cents. I just got the 4760 about a month ago. It was horribly noisy as far as the built-in card went. First I purchased an Aardvark USB3 which was a nice card and extremely silent, but didn't have the ASIO support I needed. So I settled for the M-Audio mobile-pre, which, while not as silent as the aardvark is still quite quiet, during operation and when I'm plugging and unplugging. It's interesting that the Echo doesn't filter out the power supply noise at all. FWIW, still haven't ironed out my audio-in problems--don't know if it's the mobile pre, my software or whatever...can't record with it yet. using FLS as my host software. good luck.

No sound card can filter out a ground look issue, especially if the sound card isn't part of the problem.

Audio noise: use a 3 prong to 2 prong converter

I had the same audio noise problem when power supply connected. A real issue when playing midi instruments... The 3 prong to 2 prong converter solve it right away. Thanks.

When searching for ground loops any item in the chain can be the culprit. As we have already heard adding the handy little grey 3prong to 2prong adaptor can work wonders. When trouble shooting add one thing at a time... and keep the adaptors close by...you may need to add them or remove them...also look for ground lifts of your units.

Sometimes running a lead cable from chassis to chassis can reduce or eliminate noise...this way the grounding isn't through your audio cables.

I wanted to offer my solution to the "laptop noise from power supply" issue... I am using an Echo Indigo IO PCMCIA laptop sound card, a Furman PL8 power conditioner with a Rolls line mixer, Alesis midiverb, Behringer vocal processor, and ART 31 band graphic eq all plugged into this furman unit. When I plugged in my laptop to record guitar in Sonar3, the laptop would buzz and hiss--particulary with cursor and mouse movements. ARRGHHH! I read on this forum that 'lifting' the ground on the laptop using a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter would help, and this solution has in fact SOLVED MY PROBLEM!

However, please read the following regarding "one common ground":

My situation is not likely dangerous because I am using the Furman to drive all my units, including the laptop, and the Furman common ground applies to all units plugged into it. This Furman unit is specially made to power a bunch of devices, filter a certain amount of line noise, and offer some decent surge protection...

However, use any solution at your own risk... but having one common ground power strip or power supply unit (like the Furman) will make ground-loop trolls go away and can make laptop recording enjoyable!

Jeff

yeah unplug the powerbrick and sound is nice and clear , maxed out speakers connected to it and no annoying beep and fuze/static.

fixed it, so we know its not internal now .

DaveM