Computer Noise

[Bizzacore]

Hey guys,

 

I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on eliminating computer noise. I have tried, different cables, different I/O's, hell even a different computer! I can't get rid of the noise that comes in (and comes out) of this computer.. and it's really annoying because I've gone through my entire setup, we're power managed now, we're all shielded.. this is the last bit of noise I have left in the system, before we have an amazing sounding show. (minus content of course heh)

 

 

Thanks in advance everyone!

 

Chris

[James]

Im interested in this aswel, my computers are loud as in the studio. Maybe a laptop? They are much MUCH quieter.

[Lloyd]

James, i think he's talking about static noise. Noise made from the computer that leaks it's way into the speakers and everything else.

 

Um, yeah this effects Amateur Radio (me) as well. Only thing I can think of at the moment is maybe getting a case that's a thicker build. So it's more than 1mm thick. And also, make sure that it isn't 'windowed' meaning, make sure that it is solid steal or alloy.

 

Also, is everything grounded? Because that should help a lot in this case.

 

-Lloyd

[Jinglemaster]

If you are talking about the actual noise the PC makes, ie fan & hard drive type noises, the only solution is not to have the PC in the same room. Monitor and keboard cables can be any length so you don't actually need the PC in the room, just the ability to use it.

 

Our studio has 3 PC's. None are in the studio but all the monitors are, so you cannot tell to use but they are effectively silnet.

 

HTH

[Arfa B]

I use my auto speaker cut-off switch to reduce the PC fan speed to just tick-over. So, hardly any PC noise when the mic is on. This is fairly complex to do though.

Screened leads usually do little to reduce "pick up" noise. Balanced line inputs are the only way. They take the noise reverse it (the phase) and it cancels itself out, leaving the originally intended sound intact. A Google should help if you look up balanced lines + audio. Computer monitors are a BAAAD culprit. Keep them as far away as possible from any audio gear, including your mixer and pre-amps.

Man, I remember the problems we had with high power AM 405 line television in the 70's and 80's .... that was SERIOUS! In fact- there was NO cure for that one. LUckily they turened the damn things off eventually. The studio was about 4 miles line-of sight from the Crystal Palace TV station, which was transmitting via a 1,000 foot mast! Might just as well sa been next door!

Back to balanced audio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanced_audio

The transformers aren't cheap- but they should cure most problems easily!

[clairedodin]

When I used to have the computer in the same room, I had the same problem. Then I bought a DBX processor, played with the settings and the computer noise nearly disapeared.

Of course it's better to have a clean sound to start with, but if you've got a pre-amp, try out the botton that cuts end frequencies and the noise gate (don't put too much though or your recording will sound chopped); it should help a lot.

Other option is to buy a PC with water cooling system instead of a fan. I've never seen one, but apparently it's great.

[Bizzacore]

I apologize, I should have been a little more clear about this. It was a late night "hmm, I wonder if anyone knows" kinda deal, and figured people would know hat I was talking about by not being very clear >

 

Okay, this is the deal. There's a nasty noise coming into my computer's sound card. I see it when I hit record in Audition.. only on this computer though. I have audition setup on another machine, and it's crisp and clean.

 

I also have a noise coming out of this machine's sound card.. that you can hear when my channel on the board is not muted.

 

I'm looking into a cheap used USB interface, because that's really the only way I could figure that I could get rid of it.. however, I've tried cheaper USB interfaces like the iMic from Griffin ..and it still picks up the noise. I'm hoping something like an M-Audio 2 channel interface will be better shielded and the USB won't pick up the noise directly. If it does, I may have to look into a new power supply for this machine.

[Jinglemaster]

When I used to have the computer in the same room, I had the same problem. Then I bought a DBX processor, played with the settings and the computer noise nearly disapeared.

Of course it's better to have a clean sound to start with, but if you've got a pre-amp, try out the botton that cuts end frequencies and the noise gate (don't put too much though or your recording will sound chopped); it should help a lot.

Other option is to buy a PC with water cooling system instead of a fan. I've never seen one, but apparently it's great.

 

That is good advise. I was just about to run a bath when I read this. Now my toaster has been noisy for a while, so I thought.... toaster + bath. Can't get any more water cooled than that. After an initial puff it seems to have settled down now. As it is a big bath I will leav it in there. I am just off then. Here we go... bath time.........

 

 

:retard:Frzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[johny c]

You can also get noise from a usb sound card as well.

I have 2 behringer usb interface's which are great on two pc's, but when I tried to use it on one other pc it was noisy. The noise is coming in through the usb somehow. Its a high pitched whine. I also get it with a firewire interface as well on the same pc but not as bad.

[Bizzacore]

That's funny Johny, cause I have 2 of those Behringer USB interfaces.. one of them is perfect, the other gives me exactly that.. that high pitched whine .. it was also giving me some noise on my old computer, so I just chalked it up to that interface being bad (since I'm still using the other one, and it's great).

 

I'll have to try a couple of different methods out, and see how it goes I guess.

 

Thanks everyone for your input!

 

Chris