Bursts Of Noise, Noise bursts Options

[Jaysee]

Now that I've got most of my setup er....set up, I'm bothered by sudden loud bursts lasting a second or more of what sounds like white or pink noise; usually if I'm tinkering with any soft synth eg NI absynth or B4 in standalone mode. its quite loud, and I'm worried that something is maybe charging up for a while then discharging with that burst of noise(I know next to nothing about electronics so am a bit at sea with this.)
any ideas folks?

[Nels]

Jaysee,

What is your setup?

I get that sudden burst of noise too. I'm using the 828mkII w/ DP 4 which works flawlessly, but every so often, that sudden discharge will occur. Tried to duplicate what ever I was fiddling with at the time, to see if it's a particular plug-in or what ever that might be causing the noise, but the noise seems to happen at random and it's not consistant.

I'll be checking back on this one for sure, as I'm very interested to learn what others have to say.

[Jaysee]

Hi Nels,
Hmmm istrange init? My set up is Tapco S5's, tapco 6360 mixer G5 2GHz, DP4.1, NIKomplete, Garritan PO...and lots of other *stuff*. Yup its as you say something which happens at random. I cant recall if it happens just playing CDs in itunes I must check later.
cheers, JC

[mrintenso]

Hi,
I am also using an 828 mkii with dp 4.12, I also get the bursts of noise. But from my experiance I don't think it is a software problem.. it seems that possibly I have bumped the setup knob while adjusting the volume knob, i don't know what seeting it sets off but ressetin the 828 to factory settings always fixes the problem for me.. hope that helps JASON

[Nels]

In my case ..and I think in Jaysee's case too, the noise just happens at any given moment and for no apparent reason.

While just reading, with hands off my workstation, I'll hear that distinctive pop all of a sudden. It's almost as if, as Jaysee described, there's a timely build up of static or something that needs to discharge itself, thus the scratchy/popping noise and the levels shooting upward for that split second.

Been doing some searching around, but haven't found any answers yet. You'd think there'd be some enlightenment on Motu's site or forums, but nothing that I've come across yet. ...Seems a pretty common occurrence.

And strange that it's happening to Jaysee, who has a totally different setup, ...not using the 828mkII.

I realize the three of us that have posted here so far are all using DP 4.12, but I seem to recall a couple of times where I had the 828mkII running without DP 4.12, ...so I'd have to rule DP 4.12 out as being the culprit. ..Mmmmm, would seem to suggest that all soundcards have the same infamous burst of noise.

Now, this will haunt my brain until solved.



This post has been edited by Nels: Sun 27 Feb 2005, 07:44

[lepetitmartien]

Nels, what is your computer?

[Nels]

...Those sudden bursts of noise are very few and far between, so not a major concern, but would be nice to know what's causing it, so below is everything I have connected.

My setup is:
Alum. Powerbook G4 1.25Ghz w/Superdrive / DP 4.5 / 828mkII / Technics WAS1 Modeling Synth/Midi / Lacie 250 D2 Extreme ...I'm also using a Fostex DMT-8VL Digital Multi Tracker, optically connected to the 828mkII.

Virtual Instruments:
Guitar Rig / Trilogy / Stylus RMX

Outboard Gear:
DBX 160SL Stereo Compressor/Limiter / Yamaha FX 900 Multi Effects / TC Electronics M300

All working great!

This post has been edited by Nels: Sun 27 Feb 2005, 17:09

[DANO10]

A burst of noise is what demo versions of softsynths and other audio software does when they are not authorized. The same with recently purchased software before it is factory authorized. You may need to re-authorize if you have moved you software to a new disc. This may or may not be your problem. Its worth checking out.

DANO10

This post has been edited by DANO10: Mon 28 Feb 2005, 00:17

[Nels]

DANO10,

Wow! I think you've hit it right on the head. ...Why didn't I think of that?

I always make it a point to trash or un-install demos after the expiration, but there's been a time or 2 when I waited a bit before doing so. Haven't tried any demos lately, nor do I currently have any installed ..and I also haven't heard that noise in a while, so I'll bet what you're suggesting is precisely the problem.

And for those reading this that are wondering...... Some demos have glitches in audio play back, some demos don't allow you to save, etc. and some demos probably make that popping/discharge noise after it's usage time allowed has expired. ...Makes alot of sense!

Now, I'm aching to download a demo and have it expire to put this to the test.

Many thanks to DANO10 for the heads up and for seemingly solving this little dilemma.

[mrintenso]

I don't think it is the demo's as I don't think I have any. I am certainly not using them when the sound comes in.... And the sound has definatly occured outside of dp... a bit weird, also you guys say it only happens once in a while, but how many bursts do you get, mine when it happens just makes the noise at intervals from every 10-20 secs to anywhere up to 5 mins..... and once it starts rebooting, swithchng the 828 off, none of it stops the sound, the only thing that I found was resetting the 828 and that has worked for me each time... hope my info helps solve the little mystery.......... JASON

[Nels]

mrintenso,

DP wouldn't have to be in use, but it sounds like your noise could be caused by something else all together. Hopefully, this topic will keep going a while longer and that your problem will be resolved. In the mean time, if I find anything out, I'll certainly post back.

Still, if you have any type of expired software, it could cause that random glitch/noise to occur.

[DANO10]

Hi Nels,

Thanks for the kudos. I hope I'm right.

DANO10

[Jaysee]

That could well be the cause of the problem for me too. Almost every music app on my hard disk is properly authorised and works fine. Still i'm reluctant to trash the few 'trial' CD cover demos from my system, especially the CS80 and minimoog;-{
I'll have to sort it though
JC

[joehosefat]

We were recently tracking keyboards via SPDIF into my pal's DP system, and were having this same problem - random bursts of digital noise, lasting from a moment to a couple of seconds. After scratching our heads for a couple of days, we noticed that the time of day seemed to play a role - during business hours, it happened more frequently. We then thought, power. We checked the voltage, and it was varying from less than 115 v to over 124 v within a few minutes. My pal went and got a decent power conditioner, and voila, problem stopped. This may or may not help, but it can't hurt.

[Jaysee]

Hi Joehosofat (great user name BTW:-) 'scuse my ignorance but is a power 'conditioner' the same thing as a surge protector? I have Belkin's most expensive 8 socket plug board, but I dont know if my house wiring is a bit iffy or not.
cheers, JC

[td3k]

is a power 'conditioner' the same thing as a surge protector?

No, it is not. Surge protectors only block power spikes and surges.
UPS's provide battery backup and surge protection, (also NOT power conditioning)

A power conditioner maintains a constant AC power level and provides clean power to your devices. They are usually 1U rack-mount devices and provide multiple outlets.

Furman is a popular manufacturer of power conditioners.

Cheers,

[joehosefat]

Precisely - a power conditioner should keep the voltage and current levels constant (not the same a surge protection). Varying voltage/current levels can cause devices to malfunction or exhibit abberant behavior. No absolute concrete proof that this will solve your problem, but it did the trick in our situation. Power conditioning is an often-overlooked component in the typical small scale home studio.

Cheers, J

[Jaysee]

re the 'bursts of noise problem: March issue Sound on Sound magazine has an interesting article about something similar but for PC platform. It stresses the importance of getting rid of old or redundant drivers from your Hard disk, but also addresses the thorny matter of just how on earth do you completely get rid when the app has no 'uninstall' button. I keep finding little bits of stuff I *deleted* ages ago lurking in some obscure folder in some unlikely, seldom visited location. I guess apart from that explanation the olnly thing to do is by process of elimination....which I find rather hard to contemplate logically as I have the short term memory of a goldfish!
I'm not even very clear on sorting out simple signal paths matters like 'do the monitors plug into the main out or control room?' or 'are the RCA line ins on my mixer fed by the outputs of my delta44 breakout box TRS sockets, and is it output 1 and 2 (left and right) or doers the TRS socket carry the stereo left and right from a stereo TRS plug to two RCA line in phono plugs??? arrgh do I need the mixer at all.

maybe checking a headphone mix would rule out the monitors and mixer if a hardware synth going straight into the mixer rather than straight into the breakout box. thenI guess use the minijacks audio in and out of the mac built in sound before finally including the PCI soundcard, as thats seems like the most likely culprit for pecular noises and drivers issues.
Apologies if this reads like utter bollocks, I'm sort of thinking aloud in my confusion:-)

Thanks for the power conditioning link BTW,
JC

[Nels]

Well, I've come across many articles since my last post, but nothing worth mentioning. Mostly 10.3.8 issues or things we've already covered. And my computers are still in 10.3.6 & 10.3.7 mode. ..Don't quite trust 10.3.8 yet.

As to deleting all, without the in-unstall.... I usually go to Finder/Find, then I type in eaxctly as written on the culprit I'm trying to completely get rid off. Usually, everything that's related to the original file, plus the original itself, will pop up in the Finder reveal box. I'll then proceed to trash the culprits. Must be typed Exactly, though, ..other wise Finder comes up empty. If I suspect there might be left overs, I'll put on my Columbo hat, but that rarely happens.

Wish all software had the un-install option, but then, ...there I go dreamin again.

[gogmagog]

will i need to rinse more thoroughly than usual afterwards, oh, and will the conditioner clash with the dandruff shampoo i use?