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Posted by coroknight on Mar-10-2009 17:08:

Monitor Hum

First of all I know that there are a ton of topics about this on the internet however it seems like each topic offers a different solution.

So I recently bought a pair of KRK Rokit 5 Gen 2's and a KRK 10s Subwoofer. I am also using a Numark DJIO as an external soundcard for my laptop. My djio is connected via rca to my subwoofer and then i have two unbalanced rca's running from my subwoofer to each speaker.

When i have my laptop plugged in i get this audible hum coming from the speakers. If i move my mouse or the computer is processing something the humming gets more intense. When i unplug my laptop the hum completely disapears.

I'm pretty sure I have a ground loop but im not sure. I was wondering if anyone had advice on the cheapest and safest way to fix this problem?

My sub also has xlr outputs but can i use those when my inputs are rca?

Thanks guys

Posted by teufel-man on Mar-10-2009 17:47:

Re: Monitor Hum

quote:
Originally posted by coroknight
First of all I know that there are a ton of topics about this on the internet however it seems like each topic offers a different solution.

So I recently bought a pair of KRK Rokit 5 Gen 2's and a KRK 10s Subwoofer. I am also using a Numark DJIO as an external soundcard for my laptop. My djio is connected via rca to my subwoofer and then i have two unbalanced rca's running from my subwoofer to each speaker.

When i have my laptop plugged in i get this audible hum coming from the speakers. If i move my mouse or the computer is processing something the humming gets more intense. When i unplug my laptop the hum completely disapears.

I'm pretty sure I have a ground loop but im not sure. I was wondering if anyone had advice on the cheapest and safest way to fix this problem?

My sub also has xlr outputs but can i use those when my inputs are rca?

Thanks guys

My buddy recently had this problem and... the problem was that the electric power signal (or whatever the hell you call it)... anyways, the cord that plugged from his laptor into the wall was not 'grounded', so he just had to buy this little stupid thing to put on the end of the power cable that plugs into the wall to ground it

something sorta like this: http://www.orphanespresso.com/image...g%20Adapter.jpg

Posted by coroknight on Mar-10-2009 17:58:

Re: Re: Monitor Hum

quote:
Originally posted by teufel-man
My buddy recently had this problem and... the problem was that the electric power signal (or whatever the hell you call it)... anyways, the cord that plugged from his laptor into the wall was not 'grounded', so he just had to buy this little stupid thing to put on the end of the power cable that plugs into the wall to ground it

something sorta like this: http://www.orphanespresso.com/image...g%20Adapter.jpg

Thanks but my laptop cable has a ground. I think i'd need to remove the ground in order to fix it. but removing the ground is never a good idea.

Posted by miamitranceman on Mar-10-2009 18:21:

Get a ground loop isolator from Radio Shack for 17 bucks. it does the trick for me. It doesnt matter if you go XLR because if you're still going through rca's at some point the chain ends up unbalanced.

Posted by coroknight on Mar-10-2009 18:37:

quote:
Originally posted by miamitranceman
Get a ground loop isolator from Radio Shack for 17 bucks. it does the trick for me. It doesnt matter if you go XLR because if you're still going through rca's at some point the chain ends up unbalanced.

Thanks! That seems to be exactly what I need. Will give it a try.

Posted by PivotTechno on Mar-10-2009 21:44:

Or just spend $2, and get one of these:

Posted by tintin11 on Mar-10-2009 21:45:

What would that do... I mean, what is it.

Posted by Tony Morello on Mar-10-2009 22:03:

yes, as stated it's a problem with your laptop's power cord, it's a common problem actually, one thing to do is simply let your laptop run off it's battery while you're recording, that's what we did in college while taking radio production

a ground loop isolator could work as well

Posted by JD8180 on Mar-10-2009 22:41:

quote:
Originally posted by PivotTechno
Or just spend $2, and get one of these:

isn't that just a converter for different countries' outlets? would that really fix it?

Posted by tintin11 on Mar-10-2009 22:47:

quote:
Originally posted by JD8180
isn't that just a converter for different countries' outlets? would that really fix it?

Exactly what I thought lol

Posted by coroknight on Mar-10-2009 23:09:

I don't think he understood the question.

Posted by miamitranceman on Mar-10-2009 23:26:

quote:
Originally posted by coroknight
I don't think he understood the question.

No I thnk he's just trying to show you a way to remove the ground by going from 3 prong to two, but I don't think that'll actually do it! I'd stick with a gli.

Posted by Zak McKracken on Mar-11-2009 20:27:

i had some similar problem, was adviced to get balanced cables. i couldnt get why that would help so i didnt listen. but a little later i was desperate and tried balanced and it solved the problem. i should really start listening to people soon.

Posted by PivotTechno on Mar-11-2009 23:43:

quote:
Originally posted by miamitranceman
No I thnk he's just trying to show you a way to remove the ground by going from 3 prong to two, but I don't think that'll actually do it! I'd stick with a gli.

Yes, that will actually do it, as I use one with my laptop. The power bar I'm using is already grounded and has surge protection, so I'm not particularly worried. Easy fix.