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Laptop Noise Interfearance
I know many TAs have probably come across the problem of laptops creating some kind of noise.
My problem is that whenever i have the power supply plugged in i get noise through my laptop to my speakers no matter what (actually i can lower the amount of noise by using less power on the laptop eg. turning the lcd brightness or cpu power down) but as soon as i unplug the power supply it works perfectly once again.
As far as i have learnt this is the cause of the power supply creating unclean power (not a ground loop problem!)
Iv heard of using a DI box with an isolation transformer to fix the problem but i dont know if its worth going out and buying one just yet.
Has anyone been able to fix this problem in ways other then unplugging the laptop or have they used the DI box method?
Im currently using a dxm01 as the soundcard but soon it will be a presonus firebox. From what i have read having an external audio interface doesnt make a difference.
This thread has come up a few times in past but the only thing anyone could think of was to unplug the battery.
Try using a simple adapter to bypass the ground pin on your laptop power supply (assuming you have a 3 pin plug on the power supply). That's what I do.
If that doesn't work, more study required. One of the big mixer companies, could be Rane or Xone, has a large section on hum & noise problems.
I know of several people who use the Ebtech "Hum X" device and it works great for them. http://www.ebtechaudio.com/new.html - their site also has some information about the causes of audio noise.
Iv heard of cutting the pin or buying some kind of adaptor without it but then there is the worry of having a power surge or some kind of power interfearance that will fry my laptop.
I took a quick look at those products you recomended and the biggest problem is that they are for US power plugs and they cost alot.
I will wait untill i get my new soundcard. If not i will call acer and bitch to them and complain untill they can hook me up with something.
Atleast ill try that...
I have the same problem....
I just leave it chargig while sketching stuff but for recording or mixing i unplug it. Not ideal- but it works.
Haha.
When i saw Freak as last poster straight away in my mind i said "yes! Freak to the rescue!"
Then i see this...
Im dissapointed in you Freak.
In all seriousness though this is what i have come up with.
1. Buy a thirdparty high quality power supply. (Probably going to cost around $100US).
2. Try a passive DI box that has an isolation transformer. This cuts and DC current away from an AC signal. (So far iv come to the understanding that DC current is running through the cables and interfearing with the AC audio signal).
3. Buy one of those laptops that you can remove the cd tray and attach another battery to have two batteries.
4. Try chop up a desktop power supply down to the very bare basics and make a very large laptop ac-dc power supply with the help of a electronic engioneer in the making (Brother is in third year of uni)
(dont think this one has much chance)
5. Complain to acer and say that they suck and that they better fix it. (ok not very realistic but im going to ask nicely and they might send me a new power supply)
Since i would rather spend the money else where right now i think i will just unplug and plug in the laptop.
Its funny though because i had an old toshiba satelite with a celleron that i didnt want because it was too slow. I ended up gaving it to my brother and that never had any problems with any kind of noise atall.
Re: Laptop Noise Interfearance
| quote: |
| Originally posted by DJ 00 Tommy I know many TAs have probably come across the problem of laptops creating some kind of noise. My problem is that whenever i have the power supply plugged in i get noise through my laptop to my speakers no matter what (actually i can lower the amount of noise by using less power on the laptop eg. turning the lcd brightness or cpu power down) but as soon as i unplug the power supply it works perfectly once again. As far as i have learnt this is the cause of the power supply creating unclean power (not a ground loop problem!) Iv heard of using a DI box with an isolation transformer to fix the problem but i dont know if its worth going out and buying one just yet. Has anyone been able to fix this problem in ways other then unplugging the laptop or have they used the DI box method? Im currently using a dxm01 as the soundcard but soon it will be a presonus firebox. From what i have read having an external audio interface doesnt make a difference. This thread has come up a few times in past but the only thing anyone could think of was to unplug the battery. |
I solve that problem by having the power cord far from any audio cord. Make sure they are not touching each other and try to have'em as distant appart as possible (for me about a foot or 2 is enough). Also if you're using multiplug outlets, same thing.
Have the vol pretty high with no output (hence hearing the noise), while playing around with the cables. Be patient, you'll find a sweet spot.
I dont think your understanding what im sayin the problem is.
Ofcourse i treid what you suggested. Iv treid multiple power outlet setups but no difference.
The problem is that the power supply for the laptop is crap and it does not convert the ac to dc properly. This kind of left over part of the waveform runs through anything that touches the laptop. I dont know exactly how to explain the how the power supply (converter) is stuffing up but the dc is not exactly pure. Leaving it with some oscilation.
man this should be a sticky. This comes up almost every week.
http://www.radioshack.com/sm-see-al...pi-2062214.html
I tried searching before posting this and it doesnt come up that often...
A ground loop isolator is an isolation transformer.
Same as what most di boxes have. Except di boxes are mainly for changing 1/4" to balanced xlr.
My point is that yes i know this has come up before but i wanted to know if anyone has any other solutions.
I don't think bypassing the AC ground pin is a very dangerous thing to do, so I routinely do this almost anytime I use my laptop, like in club. Think of all the electronics/video/audio/electrical stuff that you own that does not even have a ground pin, just a 2 prong AC plug.
According to what I've read, the laptop power supply ground pin is there because they are used in businesses, and their insurance companies like to see a ground pin on all business equipment in the insured premises. Any company that makes the equipment is going to say in the user manuals that the ground pin is very important and you must use it, because they need to say that to avoid legal liability if there is any kind of accident and they might be sued.
simply unplug your laptop or get a ground loop isolator
I use an acer laptop and i've never been faced with this problem.
weird.
What model laptop and what model power supply are you using?
What audio interface?
manbag
Where you planning on the DI box in the signal path? Hold off on that yet.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by DJ 00 Tommy Iv heard of cutting the pin or buying some kind of adaptor without it but then there is the worry of having a power surge or some kind of power interfearance that will fry my laptop. |
Iv had my brother draw diagrams and explain about the ac to dc process and how there is most likely that ripple in the dc with the little arcs and such. And that the noise is most liekly that.
I was thinking of using a DI box between my mixer and my amp. If the problem is from the conversion then the noise is dc. Lots of DI boxes have isolation transformers meaning no dc can pass. Exactly what a ground loop isolator is.
Also: If i could i would just go and buy a better power supply but i cannot find a third party one for the Acer Travelmate 4060 series.
If i do find one it will probably cost atleast $100 where as the di box or grond loop isolator will cost much less.
I'm no electronic tech, so forgive my ignorance, after the DC cmoothing capacitor is the regulator - I think that is where the fault lies (could be wrong).
Not sure that plunking in the DI will alter anything, as if it is the power supply, it is likely to be affecting the audio signal itself, and would therefore pass through the DI. I guess the only way to find out is take try it out, just make sure you can return it if it doesn't help.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by DJ 00 Tommy What model laptop and what model power supply are you using? What audio interface? |
Try this: Plug in the power supply, boot up your laptop, make sure you hear that noise. Then remove the battery from the laptop. See if the noise is still there.
if it is:
Try using 3 pin to 2 pin power coupler. Like the others said, it removes the ground pin which somehow might be causing the ground loop.
if it still there:
Try coiling the power supply's wire around a ferrite choke closest to the laptop. Try also coiling it closer to the power supply. See whichever sounds better. Go to radioshack and ask for this: http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...rentPage=search
Make sure to make 5-6 coil turns, do not just snap this on the wire, like some RS clerks might tell ya. Do not listen to them and buy a $200 power supply for the laptop either. Most of them know shit about electronics.
the reason why superglo never had this problem is because he/she uses an External sound card connected thru usb or firewire, therefor not subjected to any electrical noises inside the laptop.
These adapters being spoken of are likely to be banned in Australia. I doubt the govt would allow a product which enables you to disconnect the ground from electrical equipment.
To prvent a ground loop, don't provide more than one path to ground, i.e. use a power board, and run the amp and laptop off the same wall socket.
Iv got an exnternal soundcard. The interfearance just runs through anything connecting the two. Iv tried many combinations when it comes to power outlets/boards.
That ferret choke thing is interesting but im doubtfull about whether it will work.
I think i will just take the laptop down to an electronic store and see if i can just test out a bunch of isolation transformers.
try pulling the battery out of your laptop while booted up and connected to that power supply. The charging controller might be making bunch of noise.
Try putting chokes onto the USB cable next to the sound card. Try connecting that sound card to the desktop. Isolating transformers will ruin the sound quality.
It also depends what kind of noise you are experiencing. Record it and post it here, i should be able to tell whats causing it.
also, are you experiencing noise in your recordings only or in all of your sound equipment?
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