Ok, I've got a pair of Fostex PM1's fed from the line out on my Tascam US-224 interface. I'm getting audio sent to the speakers fine from iTunes, DVD Player, and my DAW software, but there's a background 'hum' that's present even when no audio is being sent to the monitors. Also, if/as I try to use apps like Safari, looking through folders, etc, there's a sort of beeping kinda sound (sounds a bit like you'd imagine an old comp sounding as a new programme is starting up.
So, have I done anything wrong here? Is there any way to fix/limit this background 'hum'. Right now I don't mind it too much (i.e. I can live with it), but as I come to mixing tracks down or similar, I can see it doing my head in.
Thanks for any comments guys,
S
Edit: I've got the PM1's on full gain, using the Tascam to set the volume to an acceptable leve, and everything is quite tyightly packed together right now (i.e. screen, monitors, tascam and pc all huddled together) although I will be spacing things out a bit more pretty soon. And I'm on a Mac G5, if that helps. And the 'hum' is quite like white noise. It gets drowned out by some tunes, but others (e.g. folky bright eyes, tim buckley, dylan, etc.) this 'hum' is still clearly present unless I push the volume on the Tascam.
Edit: I've got the PM1's on full gain, using the Tascam to set the volume to an acceptable leve, and everything is quite tyightly packed together right now (i.e. screen, monitors, tascam and pc all huddled together) although I will be spacing things out a bit more pretty soon. And I'm on a Mac G5, if that helps. And the 'hum' is quite like white noise. It gets drowned out by some tunes, but others (e.g. folky bright eyes, tim buckley, dylan, etc.) this 'hum' is still clearly present unless I push the volume on the Tascam.
From this, it's likely you're picking up EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference) from the computer and monitors. Try moving the monitors away from the computer and see if that helps.
You might also want to think about reducing the gain on the PM1's. I usually keep my active monitors set about halfway (although we are talking about 150 watts/monitor in my case). You should still find it plenty loud enough for mixing, and you'll run less risk of blowing an amp if there's a sudden peak.
Playing guitar and never playing for others is like studying medicine and never working in a clinic.
cheers moonrider!
I can't space them further apart until I've sorted a decent desk. right now they're on top of a sturdy chest of drawers and a small (but equally sturdy) computer table. I've turned the monitors down to just below halfway and there's still some hum, but this gets drowned out by the music now. it'll do for now, but I've just got one more reason to shift backside on the whole proper-desk-and-monitor-stands situation.
I'd figured I must be picking up EMI, as the noise is similar to when my bro puts his mobile phone next to my amplifier (he does have several large bumps as a result of this, lol), I just had no idea what could be causing it.
props on the swift response though. I'd switched them off as I didn't want anything nasty happening while I tried to figure out what was going on.
Also, if/as I try to use apps like Safari, looking through folders, etc, there's a sort of beeping kinda sound (sounds a bit like you'd imagine an old comp sounding as a new programme is starting up.At my old workplace I had two computers. I had winamp on one, and I could hear the other one 'thinking' in the gaps between tunes if the volume was cranked enough (most of the time ;)) as a kind of whistling noise. I could tell exactly what it was doing by the pattern of the blips, even behind the screen saver. I won a few silly bets with that :)
I'm hoping it'll stop completely once I've got the place set up so I can space them further apart. I'll also look into hooking the monitors up using balanced TRS - right now I'm on a makeshift phono-to-phono cable, with an adapter at the monitor end. I'm sure that's part of the reason its picking up 'hum'. props guys. 8)
If you search reviews for the PM1's, "hum" is actually a common complaint. The only thing I would suggest is turn down the gain on those monitors. I personally don't like the gain past 12 o'clock. Don't be afraid to turn it up on the Tascam.
cheers moonrider!
I can't space them further apart until I've sorted a decent desk. right now they're on top of a sturdy chest of drawers and a small (but equally sturdy) computer table.
OK, then. Get you some tinfoil and two squares of cardboard slightly larger than the speakers. Wrap the cardboard squares in tinfoil. Place them between the monitor and your speakers. It probably won't be a complete solution, but may block enough of the interference to make things bearable.
Playing guitar and never playing for others is like studying medicine and never working in a clinic.
lol, I did think that myself. but after I made my AFDB, such thoughts went away. :wink:
Moonrider, are you suggesting something along these lines?
AFDB :lol:
Those things really work - at least I haven't been abducted by aliens yet . . . :lol:
Same concept - basically a bit of jackleg shielding between the monitor and the speakers. The monitor is likely the main source of the hum if it's an older CRT type.
Playing guitar and never playing for others is like studying medicine and never working in a clinic.
um, its ome of these..... http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monitors/apple-cinema-display-20/4505-3174_7-21048608.html
As I mentioned earlier, a lot of people complain about hum with those Fostex monitors. A good portion of the hum should go away however, if you turn the main volume down in the back of the speaker and turn the volume up on your US-224.
As I mentioned earlier, a lot of people complain about hum with those Fostex monitors. A good portion of the hum should go away however, if you turn the main volume down in the back of the speaker and turn the volume up on your US-224.
I've done as you said, and that's helped hugely mate, but I wouldn't mind finding out if my screen is prone to causing hum generally. Better monitors are on the "once I've won the lottery/robbed the local bank" purchase list, though.
but I wouldn't mind finding out if my screen is prone to causing hum generally. Better monitors are on the "once I've won the lottery/robbed the local bank" purchase list, though.
Turning the monitor off while listening should give you an idea whether it's contributing to the problem.
:)
Don
LCD monitors don't produce the same interference that CRT monitors do. I doubt it would be the monitor. You can try.
