1 Topic by Trojka (edited by Trojka 2018-04-12 15:54:19)

  • Trojka
  • AES/EBU artist
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2008-01-08
  • Posts: 100

Topic: PC activity noise on speakers

I've waited a long time before seeking help (because I've always thought it was my setup), and I also know I'm not the only one. I have read every article on the subject on this forum and internet I could find, and tried a lot of things, but I just can't seem to solve it.

For many years I'm the happy owner of a RME Multiface II with a Hammerfall (HDSP) PCIe card, a rock solid and very stable combination for many projects. I've got a couple of mics hooked to it (via a Quadmic, balanced), a Fredenstein VAS mic pre (balanced), Avalon U5 (balanced) and an Atomic Amplifire guitar amp sim pedal (balanced). My speakers are Yamaha HS50M active speakers (+4dB output on RME and on the speakers), connected via a TC Electronic Level Pilot (balanced). I had some trouble with some pedals with USB connectivity (which were very noisy), but an USB isolator and better power supply solved that problem. I have always used PC's made by Ichbinleise (especially built for audio/studio operation), always with top components. My current pc has the following specifications: http://speccy.piriform.com/results/C7B4 … TawbfpCirq


That's why I'm surprised that with my new PC, I still keep hearing faint noises coming from my speakers. The level pilot made it slightly better by changing the balance between signal and noise, but I can still hear them. Glitchy digital noises that seem to be related to activities, like browsing or viewing a manual, or doing graphical stuff in the DAW. I changed from PCI to PCIe, I've moved the card to all other PCIe slots for each PC I've owned, removed all USB devices I didn't need, used isolation tape to isolate the card from the motherboard, and as you can hear, I replaced my PC as well (3 times, I tend to upgrade every 5 or 6 years). Oh, I've even tested it with a different brand (Focusrite 18i8, USB) and the problem was solved. But RME's stability can't be beaten, so I went back and sent the Focusrite back to the store. There must be a solution.

Driver version is 4.21 and firmware is the latest version. Multiface revision 20, SN=23462924.

Is there anything else I can try?

  • vinark
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-06-05
  • Posts: 2,859

Re: PC activity noise on speakers

You are most likely hearing noise from the PSU from the PC that travels through ground. An easy way to check this is to use headphones with nothing else connected to the multiface (except the firewire cable of course). If you don't hear any noise then it is for sure PSU noise. If only the yamahas have the problem, try lifting ground from their power connection. If this does not help you would need an audio cable that doesn't connect ground to the Yamaha's. I am not 100% sure how that is done again but it should be easy to find.

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632

3 Reply by Trojka (edited by Trojka 2018-04-12 17:38:25)

  • Trojka
  • AES/EBU artist
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2008-01-08
  • Posts: 100

Re: PC activity noise on speakers

Thanks. Yeah, it's not on the headphones, and can only be heard on the Yamaha's.

Would a ART DTI ground loop isolator work? I read somewhere someone who had PC noise from Yamaha's and this solved his problem.

  • vinark
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-06-05
  • Posts: 2,859

Re: PC activity noise on speakers

Probably yes. But I would start with eliminating ground of the speakers themselves first. If that helps great. Or eliminate ground going to the speakers throuhj the audio cables. Although someone needs to help how to do that properly (I know when going from balanced to unbalanced both not both ends balanced)

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632
  • Trojka
  • AES/EBU artist
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2008-01-08
  • Posts: 100

Re: PC activity noise on speakers

Unfortunately I cannot solder anything without soldering myself too, and hand injuries like that are unfortunate for a musician. So I ordered the ART, will check tonight if it works. I'm hopeful!

  • Trojka
  • AES/EBU artist
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2008-01-08
  • Posts: 100

Re: PC activity noise on speakers

Yay! The ART works perfectly!

  • vinark
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-06-05
  • Posts: 2,859

Re: PC activity noise on speakers

Fantastic!

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632

8 Reply by Trojka (edited by Trojka 2018-04-13 21:51:15)

  • Trojka
  • AES/EBU artist
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2008-01-08
  • Posts: 100

Re: PC activity noise on speakers

Pity I didn't look for advice earlier. But it's great I'm back to RME. smile

And isn't it great to work with the same equipment for so long?

  • vinark
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-06-05
  • Posts: 2,859

Re: PC activity noise on speakers

Yes, I am on hdsp pci's still.

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632
  • Registered: 2008-01-01
  • Posts: 3,025

Re: PC activity noise on speakers

Alternatively to buying extra equipment you can also disconnect (as in cut) the cable of pin 1 on one side of the XLR cable going to your speakers (usually the speaker side). This is the shielding of the cable which is responsible for carrying the noisy ground signal to your amp/speakers. Inside the speakers that ground is connected to earth/safety, which in turn causes the loop (back to your computer via earth lines of your power lines.