Monitor hum and quality/signal loss???
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Posted on Nov 05, 2005 01:00 pm
ledeux_machina
Member Since: Jun 04, 2004
Hi,
Just got a Firepod and have set it all up etc. But I`ve noticed a humming on my monitors when they are plugged into the main Outputs of the Pod.
But when I connect them to my Old mixer, there sno hum at all...so for now, I`ve connected the main outs of the firepod to the ins of the mixer and the monitors are plugged into the main outs of the mixer!
This has stopped the hum but I`m wondering if all this means any quality or signal loss??
Anybody know?
Thanks alot.
Alex
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Nov 05, 2005 07:11 pm Theres going to be more noise coming through your speakers as the signal is running through the mixer pre amps and faders (Active Components). Make sure to keep your faders at unity and adjust the vloumes with the trim pot. This will help keep down the noise levels as the pre amps have a better S/N ratio than the faders.
This isn't going to affect your recording in anyway as I guess your bouncing down tracks internally not externally. But the tracks might seem noisier than they really are.
I can't see why your speakers were buzzing when plugged into the firepods outputs. I think, In theory, your doing exactly the same thing with the mixer. If anything the mixer should be producing more noise :S. What Type of cables where you using to go to your speakers from the fire pod? And what kind of inputs do your speakers have?
Nov 05, 2005 10:06 pm hmmm i wonder if its mainz hum, and if it may be a grounding issue. Check to see if your firepod has a grounding/ground lift switch?
Nov 06, 2005 06:36 pm wow, thanks for the quick replies! The thing is I`m currently using unbalanced ts - balanced XLR cables for the firepod > speakers...and I`m aware that this can make hum noticable but it never happened before!..(when going mixer > speakers)
My speakers are Mackie Tapco S5`s and they have Balanced TRS, Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs.
Oh and as for the ground lift switch, I don`t think there is one. I know this sounds daft, but what does it do?
Thanks ever so much guys,
Take care,
Alex
P.S: is it better to use XLR - TRS or TRS - TRS??...or does it not make a difference?!
jmailjimmie neutronMember
Since: Feb 14, 2005
Nov 06, 2005 09:33 pm If you're using homemade cables, be sure you've got them wired correctly. There should be no difference between an XLR-TRS and a TRS-TRS cable, functionally. Also, does your firepod have balanced outputs? (I think they do) If not, you'll get noise & hum in your speakers... Another option would be to use the RCA inputs on the S5s from the outs of the Firepod. You DO NOT want to use unbalanced to balanced anything, including the cables... Go balanced all the way, or go unbalanced all the way. Also, be sure your speaker are not anywhere near a computer monitor, flourescent lights, or any other noise-maker devices, such as fans, etc.
bbbitterI'm back bitches!!!Member
Since: May 27, 2004
Nov 08, 2005 07:04 am Make sure you keep the dimmer switches and florescent lights to an absolute minimum.
