Weird feedback noise from mixer/laptop

TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- DJ Booth
-- Weird feedback noise from mixer/laptop

Posted by Dojomaster26 on Feb-28-2007 05:57:

Weird feedback noise from mixer/laptop

I have a stereo cable going out from my mixer to an stereo-1/4" mono adapter, which connects to the microphone input on my laptop (I'll get a real audio interface when I have more $$$).

About 2 weeks ago, when I was mixing, or while having my mixer connected to the laptop at all, I have been getting a feedback noise. The noise occurs at random times, but it seems to occur more often if I am typing or using the mouse while connected, or even while touching the laptop at all. IDK what's causing this noise, everything has been working fine up until a couple of weeks ago.

I've uploaded a sample from a vinyl rip that I was trying to do
[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
. Sorry its Rapidshare, but I'm not sure where else to host it.

Has anyone else had this problem? What's going on here

Posted by Tony Morello on Feb-28-2007 06:15:

try unplugging your laptop while recording

the power messes with the audio

if your laptop is running off DC power (your battery) it should get rid of noises

in my radio production course in college, we had to unplug our laptops when recording into or out to other media

Posted by Dojomaster26 on Feb-28-2007 06:19:

Thanks, I'm trying that now.

I wonder why running off the battery would affect the output of my sound card, unless the card was getting too much power?

Posted by Tony Morello on Feb-28-2007 06:29:

it has to do with how PC's circuitry is layed out, macs are better that way

Posted by Dojomaster26 on Feb-28-2007 07:11:

Damn, everything was working fine (got about 4 more good rips) with the laptop on battery power, then the feedback started up again.

I think you're in the right direction, TM, since the feedback has come up less frequently. I hope it doesn't come down to being forced to replace my soundcard or mixer...

Posted by echosystm on Feb-28-2007 08:51:

Is your computer a Dell or an Acer?

Posted by Tony Morello on Feb-28-2007 10:02:

disable your screensaver and don't bother with the laptop while recording, try that one out, the more your computer can focus on recording, the better

Posted by djozzy on Feb-28-2007 17:13:

Get better audio cables first. And if u unplug the power of the laptop it might give u feedback because of grounding issue on your place.

Oz.

Posted by Dojomaster26 on Feb-28-2007 21:35:

quote:
Originally posted by echosystm
Is your computer a Dell or an Acer?

No, its a Compaq.Do the Dells have a problem with their sound cards?

I'll try just leaving the PC alone while recording. My screensaver is off, and I'll make sure nothing else is running. We'll see what happens.

Thanks for all the help guys. If anything, this has convinced me to start seriously looking at a Mac

Oh, if anyone was wondering, the track that the sample was taken from was Dieselboy + Kaos' "Submission"

Posted by ill0gical0ne on Feb-28-2007 23:01:

quote:
Originally posted by echosystm
Everything inside the computer uses one ground right? In computers, circuits use the ground as a reference (for zero i assume). Now, imagine there is noise on that reference, "zero" won't be zero anymore, it will be like 0.1 :P

What does that mean? It means any data going through USB/Firewire/PCMCIA whatever else will all have a dirty reference, so instead of having voltages in the signal going through like 5v 0v 0v 0v 5v 5v 12v 5v 0v, you'll have 5v 0.1v 0.2v 0.01v 5v 5v 12v 5v 0.3v etc. That's where you get noise and thers not really much you can do about it.

The only company that has addressed this is Apple.

Posted by miamitranceman on Mar-01-2007 00:04:

I have had occasional feedback with my Dell at random times but I usually just unplug and replug it back into the outlet and it goes away.