Hiss and Ringing signal coming from pc

[DimeSatch]

Hello,
I am running an eighth inch to rca (red white) cable into my mixer. There is a hissing/ringing signal coming out of my monitors. The signal is not present when the pc is disconnected. Even if i turn the master volume all the way down, the ringing is still there. I was wondering if this is a ground issue, sound card issue, or connection issue. Pleas let me know what you suggest.
Thanks

[Bops2000]

The Monitors magnetically shielded ?

Are you running the computer soundcard ?

Does the noise deviate with mouse moves ?

I am guessing that it may be monitors, or soundcard is not setup properly.

Whay pitch is the 'ringing' ?, perhaps a 60HZ hum ?

[DimeSatch]

I have gathered some more information. Whenever anything but my computer is hooked up to the mixer, it sounds fine. When I plug in the my sound card or my mbox (usb), thats when I get the ringing sound. The ringing pitch is very high and faint. I have an old tv that makes a similar ringing sound. I don't know if its coming from the computer's power or what, but it is definitely the computer. Please let me know any suggestions

[kope]

Welcome to PC worldJ. It is connection issue. With normal connections you should be weary happy if you get noise free sound. With PC you have to use “balanced” connections for analog signal.
P.S. Wait until HDD goes off (make shore that power saving on comp is on and time for HDD is short) and listen for changes in noise.
And, sorry, you are asking for help and do not cooperate with as (there is no an answer on boopers questions) ????

[DimeSatch]

I sent the answers in a private message.

The Monitors magnetically shielded ? Yes Tascam VL-X5

Are you running the computer soundcard ? Yes

Does the noise deviate with mouse moves ? No

I am guessing that it may be monitors, or soundcard is not setup properly.

Whay pitch is the 'ringing' ?, perhaps a 60HZ hum ? Very High pitch and faint

[TKMJ Production]

I had the same problem on a laptop. However I discovered when I removed the A/C power supply and let it run on the battery the sound stopped. The power suply was not bad. It was line noise because it would not happen all the time.

The best thing to do is replace the sound card with an audio interface (professional sound card). I picked up a Motu 8Pre and never had another problem. I even ran the laptop off a cheap Chinese generator and it was noise free.

[DimeSatch]

Thanks TKMJ.
I also have the mbox mini that is creating the same ringing. I wonder if there is a power supply that is made for this type of thing. Unfortunately the issue is with my desktop so I cannot run off a battery.

[TKMJ Production]

Thanks TKMJ.
I also have the mbox mini that is creating the same ringing. I wonder if there is a power supply that is made for this type of thing. Unfortunately the issue is with my desktop so I cannot run off a battery.

Don't really know about any special power supply. However in my studio I use an isolation transformer for all the audio gear to reduce mains noise. I also run a huge UPS system. The better UPS systems help keep mains noise down to next to nothing. Mine if made by APC. With the batteries it weighs almost 800 pounds. If my power ever goes out, I can run the entire studio except for lighting for an hour.

I refuse to use any M-Audio product except for the BX8 monitors. I feel all the M-Audio interfaces are junk. Poor quality converters, drivers, and preamps. When you upgrade, look into Motu or Apogee.

If you have a standard soundcard laying around or onboard sound on your motherboard, try removing the M-Audio thingy and reset the system to the onboard sound or sound card. If the noise stops, It's the M-Audio thingy causing the problems.

[DimeSatch]

Here is some more info.

HP Computer with Vista - noise even when cpu is on and off.
Tascam VL-X5 Monitors
Behringer Eurorack ub802 Mixer
Mbox2 Mini -noise connected USB
Boss RC-50 - no noise unless usb is plugged in
Pod X3 - no noise unless usb is plugged in
MP3 player - no noise

Guitar Center blamed it on PC and Vista and said there was interference from power supply and motherboard

Sam Ash said it may be because I live in an apartment because some apartments have "dirty power" and said it's basically a ground issue.

[TKMJ Production]

Here is some more info.

HP Computer with Vista - noise even when cpu is on and off.
Tascam VL-X5 Monitors
Behringer Eurorack ub802 Mixer
Mbox2 Mini -noise connected USB
Boss RC-50 - no noise unless usb is plugged in
Pod X3 - no noise unless usb is plugged in
MP3 player - no noise

Guitar Center blamed it on PC and Vista and said there was interference from power supply and motherboard

Sam Ash said it may be because I live in an apartment because some apartments have "dirty power" and said it's basically a ground issue.

Looking at your diagram that makes no sence because you are connecting the CPU to the mixer tells me much. Try connecting the monitors directly to the MBox as it shows on the back of the unit. Do not go through your mixer. If your monitors have a volume control, that is where you will set your volume for listening. If not, there should be a control in your software.

[Bops2000]

I agree, i looked at this last night.
I see a loop from the CPU to the Mixer.
The cpu should only go to the mbox ins and outs.
It should be the second in command of the chain.
The cpu internal sound card should be disabled.

You can't have it all, either it is a DAW, or a gamer system,
pick one.

You can run the crappy sound card outs only to the mixer for other stuff, but why?

if you need the same machine for other tasks as well,
pick up a cheap computer, and run it peer to peer to your board.

i hope that makes som sense.

In a nutshell, try disconnecting the CPU to Mixer connect.

[TKMJ Production]

I agree, i looked at this last night.
I see a loop from the CPU to the Mixer.
The cpu should only go to the mbox ins and outs.
It should be the second in command of the chain.
The cpu internal sound card should be disabled.

You can't have it all, either it is a DAW, or a gamer system,
pick one.

You can run the crappy sound card outs only to the mixer for other stuff, but why?

if you need the same machine for other tasks as well,
pick up a cheap computer, and run it peer to peer to your board.

i hope that makes som sense.

In a nutshell, try disconnecting the CPU to Mixer connect.


DimeSatch,
Actually you can have a DAW and gamer rolled in one with a dual boot system. But!!!!! (big but here) You better know what you are doing with the computer. It appears that you do not as of yet. Professional audio workstations do not use gaming sound cards. They use Audio Interfaces. (professional sound cards) As a gamer, you will get better sound with an audio interface over a common high priced game sound card. Shut down the motherboard sound in the bios and use the M-Audio junk for everything you do. That's step one.

[DimeSatch]

Thank you for your help,
There is still a ringing if I hook up the monitors directly from the Mbox outs. I have tried isolating every hookup. The reason I hook up the sound card to the mixer is so I can listen to music from other programs besides protools. From what I understand, there are not drivers for vista to allow this. I also don't want to have two sets of speakers for multiple programs. I am leaning toward the theory that it is a grounding issue with the apartment.

[TKMJ Production]

Thank you for your help,
There is still a ringing if I hook up the monitors directly from the Mbox outs. I have tried isolating every hookup. The reason I hook up the sound card to the mixer is so I can listen to music from other programs besides protools. From what I understand, there are not drivers for vista to allow this. I also don't want to have two sets of speakers for multiple programs. I am leaning toward the theory that it is a grounding issue with the apartment.

A mains grounding issue will give you a low sounding 50 or 60 hz hum.

I would exchange the M-Audio crap for some E-Mu stuff if you are on a budget. If not go Motu. I would also stay away from ProTools. Once you get into the ProTools system, you are limited on what will work. You gotta stick to their lists of gear with inflated prices. I would go to Cubase because it is more user friendly, costs less and can be used with just about anything.

Don't tie yourself to ProTools and become a slave of the system.

[Bops2000]

There is still a ringing if I hook up the monitors directly from the Mbox outs. I have tried isolating every hookup. The reason I hook up the sound card to the mixer is so I can listen to music from other programs besides protools. From what I understand, there are not drivers for vista to allow this. I also don't want to have two sets of speakers for multiple programs. I am leaning toward the theory that it is a grounding issue with the apartment.

No
Monitors come out of Mixer.
Either all your stuff gets plugged into a
APC type unit, or through a Furman type voltage
filter.
I have used old APC units with dead bateries simply to filter line noise.

Try spending $40 USD for a APC unit -consumer type.
Try it, if that does not handle the noise, simply return it,
most computer stores could give a hoot.

This way you can be confident of chasing the imfamous noise.

High Pitched, backround noise, for me, begs me to chase the video card, not saying that that is it, just saying, keep that in mind during the chase.

The other thing that causes concern is Vista, perhaps the install, perhaps just Vista.

Perhaps just set the DAW programs to run in emulated XP.

If that is an option, like XP, will allow you to run programs in prior versions.

I feel your pain on this one, you may become the vista guru for DAW on your resolve :)

[DimeSatch]

Great advice Bops2000,
I am hesitant to blame it on vista because the noise still is present when the computer is off which is a mystery to me. When my dad came to visit he couldn't hear the noise. Maybe its that frequency only younger ears can hear, if you've heard of those ring tones. I had a TV in my living room that did the same thing. Can you be more specific with an APC model you would recommend?

[TKMJ Production]

Great advice Bops2000,
I had a TV in my living room that did the same thing. Can you be more specific with an APC model you would recommend?

Bops2000 said: "
High Pitched, backround noise, for me, begs me to chase the video card, not saying that that is it, just saying, keep that in mind during the chase."

A long shot here. Try pulling the video card out of the machine and then reinsert it to scrape the contacts on the edge. Could be dirty. Then try another video monitor if you have an old one.

[130dB]

.....the noise still is present when the computer is off ....

That pretty much eliminates OS and video card as the cause.

Even when it is off, there is still some power present. Have you tried a test with the PC completely unplugged from power?

Experience has taught me one thing....
Definition: Troubleshooting - The systematic process of elimination of everything the problem ISN'T.

[ecc83]

If the noise continues after the pc has been unplugged it is Radio Frequency Interference. Good equipment should now be proof against this but there are palliative measures you can take like ferrites on the mains and signal leads.

If the noise is present with the pc shut down but plugged in it must be coming from the main SMPS unit, hard to suggest a cure here but you could try moving cables around inside the pc or a new power supply. Make dead sure the casing of the pc is bonded to earth, not just a screw but the actual metal sheet, sometimes the paint does not allow of a good bond.

Dave.

[Bops2000]

Great advice Bops2000,
I am hesitant to blame it on vista ..... Can you be more specific with an APC model you would recommend?

I have a few of these:
http://www.apcguard.com/Back-UPS_ES.asp

I found them for $39 usd at compusa.
most department stores should have.

ALSO, use tip ring sleeve or xlr cables on monitors, (as mine pick up RF noise as well), another thing to try.