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Studio Monitor Hum
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| J.L. |
Hi, I am having trouble with my studio monitors (which are powered by a 2-pronged plug) As soon as I turn them on, I am getting a low frequency hum (I think at around 60 hz) that is constant no matter what.
I have an RCA to 1/8 inch cable connecting to my sound card, and the hum is still there even when it is unplugged so I don't believe it's anything with my computer/sound card.
After searching around, I have found different solutions, and don't know what is necessarily the problem solution.
- Buy a balanced cable. I don't believe it is a connection problem
- Buy a ground loop isolator: (http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/mess...829/206161.html)
- http://www.ethanwiner.com/dimmers.html
Anyways, I believe the solution lies with buying a ground loop isolator, but I wanted to ask opinions before buying something that I will end up having to return or not use.
For reference, my (crappy, but will do for now) studio monitors are just a pair of M-audio AV30's. |
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| Kenny Rogers |
| are the humming still there if you unplug the sourcecable? if not then there might be needed for balanced cables if the monitor and soundcard supports that. i had problems like too, which was solved with balanced cables. |
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| Mad for Brad |
| are they plugged into different sockets ? My electroacaustics class is a vague memory years ago but I remember something about keeping things as close together within the electrical loop. So maybe have one extension chord with your sound card, and speakers together. I could be wrong. Just a hunch based on knowledge I forgot. |
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| DJ RANN |
1, Run balanced cables. Why 1? Becuase it will stop interference from other sources as well and if you have balanced outs on the card and balanced ins on the speakers, then you should be using them.
2, Get a 3 pinned Kettle lead (IEC power cable). Earth pin is there for a reason. Make sure all your kit has this or find out the hard way when girlfriend spills some champagne on it (ask M4B).
3, Get a power conditioner, namely Furman. Don't buy the cheap monster or home depot ones, they don't do anything apart from in line capacitance.
4, Forget ground loop isolators there's really no need if you do 1 & 2 unless your house does not have earth wiring (in which case you still want to get that sorted anyway). GLI are just quick fixes for incorrect earthing situations. |
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| sm44 |
| I had hum as well, plug only the power into the wall socket and turn it on, if it hums without anything else plugged in, it might be that the wiring in the place you are living in is old. You might want to do this at another house to see if you get the same hum. Once i moved house the problem was fixed. Only other option is a power conditioner. |
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| Mad for Brad |
| can you elaborate on the power conditioner. Is this really needed ? Would this increase the life of my computer power supply ? |
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| MegaMan |
| stick a few dirty socks in there (the dirtier the better).. |
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