Audio Interface/External Soundcard (Not a debate)

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Posted by WithoutAngles on Aug-12-2010 08:59:

Audio Interface/External Soundcard (Not a debate)

Hey guys, I just got a quick question and I wouldn't be asking if I hadn't tried to do some research myself already.

I can hear my computer static noise through my monitors/headphones and was wondering if i can find a fairly cheap fix for that by using an audio interface or some sort of external soundcard to act as a medium in between my monitors and computer. (Yes my monitors are directly plugged into my computer, but I'm just starting out so that was the only option for the time being)

Posted by tehlord on Aug-12-2010 09:04:

An external soundcard should resolve the issue although there can still be problems with ground loops etc, but that's only happened to me once in maybe 6-7 different interfaces.

Do your monitors have balanced inputs?

Posted by WithoutAngles on Aug-12-2010 09:19:

Yes they are the KRK V6 Series 2 and only have 1/4" Balanced outs.

Posted by tehlord on Aug-12-2010 09:22:

quote:
Originally posted by WithoutAngles
Yes they are the KRK V6 Series 2 and only have 1/4" Balanced outs.

If your monitors have balanced inputs they'll be far less likely to hum or buzz if you use an audio interface with balanced outs. You can pick up interfaces with balanced outs fairly cheaply. What's your budget, and do you need inputs for mics or instruments now or in the future?

Posted by WithoutAngles on Aug-12-2010 09:26:

I don't think I'll be connecting any other instruments in the near future as I'm just starting out, so cross that out. My budget would probably be under 100$.

Posted by tehlord on Aug-12-2010 09:36:

quote:
Originally posted by WithoutAngles
I don't think I'll be connecting any other instruments in the near future as I'm just starting out, so cross that out. My budget would probably be under 100$.

The only one I have experience with in that price range is a Steinberg CI1, although I was using a CI2 that had Cubase integration but the input and output side of it is the same afaik. You'll be hard pressed to find one that doesn't have some sort of input that's worth buying but they may come in useful in the future. I had my old KRK RP6 G2 plugged into the CI2 and it was totally noise free.

The alternative is to find an interface on Ebay for less than $100, and there will be thousands of them!

Posted by WithoutAngles on Aug-12-2010 09:39:

Now, what if my monitors are still making this humming/buzzing/staticy noise even without being connected to anything, just the power cable. I just unplugged them and noticed they are still buzzing. Sigh

Posted by tehlord on Aug-12-2010 09:51:

quote:
Originally posted by WithoutAngles
Now, what if my monitors are still making this humming/buzzing/staticy noise even without being connected to anything, just the power cable. I just unplugged them and noticed they are still buzzing. Sigh

If it's both of them, you may have a ground loop problem.

Posted by WithoutAngles on Aug-12-2010 10:06:

quote:
Originally posted by tehlord
If it's both of them, you may have a ground loop problem.

I was worried that may be the case, guess I just have to find and isolate the problem then.

But I do still think I'll need some sort of external unit for my monitors. I was thinking something simple like the Fostex PC-1 volume control unit, or will that not solve anything?

Posted by tehlord on Aug-12-2010 10:19:

The PC-1 will most likely just introduce more noise into the equation, and for only a little bit more money you can get a proper interface that'll give you the same volume controls, plus ASIO drivers that'll reduce your latency as well.