Laptops
March 16, 2007 - 2:04pm
March 16, 2007 - 2:51pm
Lift the ground?
I use a Dell laptop for my sound generation when leading worship, and I too have noticed the ground loop. However, the old trick of lifting the ground with a 50 cent power adapter plug (3 prong to 2 prong) fixes it just fine.
I've also noticed the visual equivalent to a ground loop when we're on retreat using a project with a different Dell laptop. There is a slow "roll" on the screen as long as the laptop is plugged in. Using a ground-lift adapter on that laptop cures that problem as well.
It's worth a try!
March 17, 2007 - 9:49am
Input or Output
Are you talking about input or output audio?
Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mattfarina.com
March 17, 2007 - 12:54pm
adapter
Hey, those 50 cent adapters are a really really bad idea. You could lose your laptop, or in a sound system lose your life. The solution is a $50 version from someone like Ebtech. It is called the HumX and works great.
As for the flowing lines in the video, that is usually because of dirty power, which may or may not be related to a ground loop. It is often noise in the neutral or something like that. It is usually not fixed cheaply.
Chordinator
March 17, 2007 - 12:56pm
battery
I have also discovered that solution, but haven't come up with the money for the bigger battery. But I should look back into that since I haven't thought of it in quite a while. Thanks!
Chordinator
March 17, 2007 - 12:59pm
audio
That is for output only. The HumX fixes it, but it is just irritating that it is built like that.
Chordinator
March 17, 2007 - 2:12pm
power plugs
To help deal with the power issues look to where things are plugged in. Your computer, projector, and monitor should not be on the same circuit as your audio system. The audio system will throw out a bit to it's ground and that can interfere with other systems on the same circuit.
Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mattfarina.com
March 18, 2007 - 10:20pm
Internal Audio
I really hate to say this, but I have owned two Mac laptops and I have had the same audio issues. Not been impressed with Apples built in audio interfaces and have found much better audio quality by using a usb or firewire audio interface. Something as simple as a Griffin iMic has really improved the sound and fixed any grounding noise.
If your goal is high quality sound into a sound system for a service then invest in an interface with balanced outputs.
Rick Russell
Sugar Creek Baptist Church
http://www.sugarcreek.net
March 19, 2007 - 8:17am
On The Money
You are right, Rick. When you are dealing with Audio you shouldn't have high expectations for your on board audio. If could be a dell or an apple. You will still have issues.
If you want to have good audio going with something like the Griffin iMic is a option or for towers getting a good audio card is another option. It's the idea that you not only get what you pay for but you get what it's designed for and intended for.
Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mattfarina.com
March 19, 2007 - 6:53pm
interface
Yes, an audio interface is mandatory. Unfortunately, that didn't help my buzz problem. I never did try it without the interface, but then I would have poor audio without buzz possibly. Not a good solution either way. I use a Presonus Firewire device, but there are a ton of good ones out there. But you get what you pay for!
Chordinator
I mentioned in another post that I've had laptop issues. And this is part of the reason why macs are so cool.
I bought a Dell XPS lappy, only to find that it buzzed when used for audio in a live situation. The audio shares IRQs with other stuff, and it causes ground loops. Lame. And you can't fix it in the computer. I have to use a ground hum eliminator.
The solution would have been to spend an extra grand on a mac, or and extra couple hundred on a laptop built for audio. Again, don't buy off the shelf or from a big name joint if you care about stability or other things like audio. And this goes for desktops as well.
Chordinator
www.calvarycolorado.org