Temporary sound

[Bren Gun]

Do you reckon your onboard soundcard is a decent temporary substitute when your audio interface is gone for repairs? The thing is so sensitive to external influence though I was thinking of using it anyway. Found an old Y-cable that is stereo 3.5mm jack to mono RCAs, but it altogether sure gives me a bad hum I can't get rid of.

- So I either find a good Y-cable that reduces the hum. I was thinking stereo TRRS mini jack (presuming it exists so it would be balanced?) which goes to two balanced TRS 6.3mm mono jacks. Would this be possible at all (especially the TRRS mini jack)?

OR

- Arrrgh, I don't know :D Repairs'll take a damn long time.

[AndyH]

Balanced cables are for use with balanced circuits. The electronics are designed and built in a different way than unbalanced. Cables can not turn your unbalanced soundcard inputs into balanced.

[Bren Gun]

Yes, that is correct. I had totally forgotten. In any case, I am to remove the terrible hum.

[sabianq]

there is a misconception that a balanced system sounds better than an unbalanced system when in reality some of the best mastering equipment in the world uses unbalanced circuitry, just because you have an unbalanced card does not mean that it is the cause of your Humm.
i would look at the possibility that you are experiencing a ground loop issue where your system is sharing a two grounds with a voltage differential between them. this is a very common cause for hum, another cause is using unshielded cable over great distance (the cheap stereo 1/8th inch extension cable you can buy at radio shack is notorious for letting in humm).

if you cannot find the ground issue then i would suggest using an isolator like this
http://www.r4us.com/soundazz/images/uploads/AV-08632_large.jpg
http://www.r4us.com/soundazz/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=9

another source of noise is the sound card itself.
sitting in a very electrical noisy environment like the inside of your computer can cause havoc on a sound card.

consider getting a USB driven audio interface to use as a backup.

[TimOBrien]

Basic argument:

Onboard soundcards are made with less than $1 worth of chips.
Manufacturers put them in there for CHEAP beeps and light gaming, not hi-fidelity.

/argument closed

[Bren Gun]

Well, that argument ain't tellin' me much, 'cause I knew that already ;) If you can get a good signal anyway and your listening devices are decent (which are more important to me), it shouldn't be too much of a problem if y'ask me to use temporarily. And quick temporary use is exactly what I'm after.

And I díd get a good signal. I've read your message too late, sabianq, but I assembled a few gold coloured plugs (3.5mm stereo jack and two 6.3mm TS plugs), and some shielded cable. It worked fine. Though it was a bit difficult to work that cable properly into the small jack area. When it was closed with the screwable thing the signal got messed up, so I loosened it and it worked fine.

Only problem is I wanted it to look good too, so I tried to isolate the buggers better inside and screw the thing on again. The stereo signal was..... not perfect as a channel went out slightly or sometimes all the way, then back up. So went back to the original dirty working method, which didn't work at all anymore. After hours of fooling around and improvising with more plugs, cables, extensions, lots of soldering, and cursing, I don't really give a **** anymore! ;)

I'll just get a good premade Y-cable and never bother soldering small plugs EVER.

[ecc83]

I have OBS defeated in both my pc's but I don't recall it being THAT bad!

Unless they are a complete clutzy technophobe I always advise people to fit some sort of soundcard even if they are going AI route. It is SO useful for troubleshooting.

The M-A 2496 is a bargain and works with anything. If even that is too much cash I have a Trust Optical Expert, £20 and that is very good, also has co-ax as well as optical in/outs.

As for 1/8" plugs to civilized connectors I do not bother with adaptor cables. Good solid metal (gold p if you can) plug to a bit of mic cable, into a tin with a pair of (gold) RCA's and 1/4" TS's. In fact my 2496's go into OEM 600:600 Ohm trannies but that puts another £30 on the bill.

Dave.