Computer sounds(feedback)

[bryant]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

Your problem is a floating ground. This is either in the outlet or the power supply of the laptop. My guess is it is probably the building wiring.

What is precisely meant by that term, Dale?

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by bryant

What is precisely meant by that term, Dale?

I know I'm not Dale but....A floating ground usually happens when you have a properly grounded device, and one that is not, hooked up on the same circuit. The ground "floats" between the 2 devices. This is almost universally caused in a bar by older neon lights. The older ones don't have a ground. As they age, it exacerbates the problem. Electricity, like water, takes the path of least resistance. If your laptop/amp is closer (wiring wise) than the grounding rod (if there is one) that goes to earth, your equipment will act as the ground. Bear in mind, path of least resistance can also include wiring size as well as distance. This can also be aggravated by the wall wiring being undersized. This is not limited to neons. It can be anything that is not working properly, or is not properly grounded.

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by marklwood

I know I'm not Dale but....A floating ground usually happens when you have a properly grounded device, and one that is not, hooked up on the same circuit. The ground "floats" between the 2 devices. This is almost universally caused in a bar by older neon lights. The older ones don't have a ground. As they age, it exacerbates the problem. Electricity, like water, takes the path of least resistance. If your laptop/amp is closer (wiring wise) than the grounding rod (if there is one) that goes to earth, your equipment will act as the ground. Bear in mind, path of least resistance can also include wiring size as well as distance. This can also be aggravated by the wall wiring being undersized. This is not limited to neons. It can be anything that is not working properly, or is not properly grounded.

In other words Bryant it is a lack of ground somewhere in the AC power that the laptop is also plugged into. To go any deeper would require you have an electronics background.

When Karl said feedback between songs I immediately thought of 60 HZ hum, but you are right he could have his internal microphone on.

[captnkarl]

What is meant by internal microphone?? As for a ground, I have that feedback when just the windows screen is up and no other programs are running...it doesn't matter which bar I'm playing in. My original computer didn't have this sound just some hiss. The sound sounds lilke the old movies when computers were making a "computer sound" when they were trying to figure something out. Thanks for the help and keep the sugestions coming please.

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by captnkarl

What is meant by internal microphone??

In your hardware audio properties under Volume/Advanced, you will find some sliders to set individual volumes for certain devices. Mic should be set to lowest volume or off. I set my line in and CD to zero also.

Originally Posted by captnkarl

Thanks for the help and keep the sugestions coming please.

The other thing is, are you using wireless microphones? They are susceptible to interference also.

[captnkarl]

I disabled the mic and also muted it and that doesn't work either. It just doesn't make sense why I get that sound only when it is plugged in???? Also, that sound comes even when my cordless mics aren't hooked up to the system. Thanks everyone for the ideas and keep em comin.

[bobcox- with the Lord]

Get the little 3 prong to 2 prong adaptor, and use on laptop.
see if that helps.