Another Type Of Humming Sound Problem

[GwenButler]

I have a Ruggedized Laptop™ Computer With Video Hoster® Software, and just had my first paying gig. (Thanks again to everyone who helped out by answering my many pre-gig questions!) At the onset of the gig I had a MAJOR humming sound problem that seemed to be caused by my brand-new amplifier (Crown XLS 202 DJ XLS202Dw/200 watts in each channel at 8 ohms).

My Crown amp was working perfectly fine when it was at my home, however, after being transported less than 5 miles away a horrible humming sound kicked in. After quite a bit of troubleshooting (component to component wires, speakers wires, laptop wires, etc.) I gave up. Luckily a spare amp was available. After replacing the Crown AMP with an (over 20 year old) Audionic of Oregon CC-2 APM (117 VAC 60 HZ 4 AMP Bridge Mono CHA 80 OHM MIN) the problem went away, however, the output sound was no where as good as when I was home using the Crown AMP. After the gig I went home to re-engage the Crown AMP and everything worked perfectly.

Just wondering if the establishment’s power source could have been the problem as the performance took place in a newly added building addition that had numerous Keno machines, flat screen TVs mounted on the walls and a juke box. (I tried plugging the Crown AMP directly into the wall outlet with no luck.)

Any and all advice greatly appreciated.

Gwen

[ddouglass]

Gwen this is exactly the same problem as what you had with the laptop. Regardless of which piece of equipment it is showing up in it is still a ground loop problem. Get a large enough Surge Protector extension cable, plug all your equipment into it and then use the Radio Shack or the other item listed in your other thread.

[GwenButler]

Thanks a ton!

[Beavis]

also you shouldnt have your computer volume cranked all the way up.

i usually go a little above half.

[ddouglass]

I don't agree with you Beavis. I run my computer volume at full and my amp at about 80%. I control the output level through my mixer and equalizer (limiter built-in). If I ran my computer at 50% I would have a hard time picking it up and controlling it with the mixer.

[bryant]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

I don't agree with you Beavis. I run my computer volume at full and my amp at about 80%. I control the output level through my mixer and equalizer (limiter built-in). If I ran my computer at 50% I would have a hard time picking it up and controlling it with the mixer.

Ditto " "

[madjim- with the Lord]

Originally Posted by Beavis

also you shouldnt have your computer volume cranked all the way up.

i usually go a little above half.

I run my windows faderes one line below full volume on the "Volume Contorl" volume (or main volume) and on the "Wave" volume. This assures I get a good signal level with no internal distortion which can happen if the sound card is not up to snuff (low quality).

My 2 cents.

Jim

[billyo]

i do the same, have my laptop full volume, my boards fader is at unity gain, and the gain knob is at 12 o'clock and the channel fader is at around a line under the unity line, and my powered speakers is at 12 o'clock too..when i used to used my amp its at full volume..