60hz buzzing on interconnect?
sniepre
Posts: 11
Hey there - I am kinda stumped here so I figured this would be the best place to ask.
I have a DJ Mixer that I use, well, for its intended purpose but also as a preamp mixer that combines several pieces of input audio electronics as well. It has 8 inputs so it's really nice to be able to consolidate computer soundcard outputs, other audio equipment, turntables etc and route one cable to my reciever/amp.
Problem is - when I connect the dual RCA outs from my laptop's docking station, this loud 60hz sounding buzz occurs even if that channel on the mixer is all the way down.
The equipment is all plugged into the same power circuit, so I can't figure out why other devices do not cause this yet the laptop does. The laptop sounds fine when connected directly to the amp *without* the mixer connected, but when both are, the same symptom occurs.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
I have a DJ Mixer that I use, well, for its intended purpose but also as a preamp mixer that combines several pieces of input audio electronics as well. It has 8 inputs so it's really nice to be able to consolidate computer soundcard outputs, other audio equipment, turntables etc and route one cable to my reciever/amp.
Problem is - when I connect the dual RCA outs from my laptop's docking station, this loud 60hz sounding buzz occurs even if that channel on the mixer is all the way down.
The equipment is all plugged into the same power circuit, so I can't figure out why other devices do not cause this yet the laptop does. The laptop sounds fine when connected directly to the amp *without* the mixer connected, but when both are, the same symptom occurs.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
Post edited by sniepre on
Comments
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You've got a ground loop problem in there. May have something to do with the docking station.
On a side note, I can't imagine you're getting the best fidelity possible with that DJ mixer. That kind of gear isn't known for quality.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Yeah - So what would be the best way to solve that problem?
The mixer itself is extremely low noise - I know it's not the best quality audio but it sure isnt bad - I used to use a Yamaha minidisc multitracker for the same purpose - And I find this gemini mixer to have even superior sound surprisingly. It's mostly a convienance purpose vs. total audio quality. (The audio 'system' altogether is still just a old Realistic reciever and Polk R15 bookshelf speakers in this setup - so any minor, minor signal mishandling on the preamp level in the dj mixer is not a big issue. Plus I can't even detect it myself so... that's not a big deal to me.) This ground loop problem is, though. -
Ok, try using a cheater plug, the 3 into 2 prong adaptor, on the docking station and/or the mixer to start with until you find out which piece is having the problem. Then use the cheater plug for that piece or pieces of gear.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
the docking station only has a 2 prong plug, into a DC converter brick then into the dock station. The reciever also only has a 2 prong plug. The mixer is 3 prong grounded - Should I try to take the ground out of the line to the mixer?
Edit: Perhaps tie the ground from the reciever to the ground post on the mixer? Could that harm anything? There is a ground wire on the power about 2 feet down but not actually to the plug. Its a weird reciever.
Edit 2: Nope. That grounding thing on the power cable doesnt even attach to anything, I tried hooking it to the grounding lug on the mixer and it did nothing. -
Originally posted by sniepre
Should I try to take the ground out of the line to the mixer?
Yes, try it and anything else that is grounded.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
While you're at it, make sure there aren't any power cable running alongside any speaker or interconnect cables.
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Originally posted by F1nut
Yes, try it and anything else that is grounded.
Apologies for the dealy in reply, I've had some very busy days work wise.
Thanks for the tip though!! I acquired one of those de-grounding cheater plugs and bingo - it definitely was a ground loop issue. The buzz is completely gone! Thank you!
Now - since there is no grounding on the power strip... is there a danger in doing this? Or is it safe to run in this fashion? -
Did you figure out which piece has the problem or did you plug the power strip in with the cheater plug? As far as a problem caused by not having things grounded? May, maybe not.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Originally posted by F1nut
Did you figure out which piece has the problem or did you plug the power strip in with the cheater plug?
Well - I plugged the mixer (The only piece of gear with a 3 prongs (grounded) plug) - and the buzz was still there, but then plugging the power strip into the wall with it, it disappeared. Strange huh?
The devices connected to the strip are 2 turntables, the mixer, a reciever, and a compressor. Again, only device with a grounded plug being the mixer itself.
