Cell Phone Swing

[Tslicebass]

Alright
Who here has the definitive reason as to why cell phones interfere with our music... you know what i am talking about... the infamous cell phone swing... deet de de deet de de deet.
I have heard many stories... including
1. It is copper wiring
2. It is only cingular/AT&T
3. It is certain types of equipment (chords, amps etc)
4. It is the screen on the cell phones that causes it
what do you guys think

[dinghy]

I'm pretty sure its the signal, and it affects all speakers. It even makes my mouse scroll down if my cell phone is right next to it. Don't know any more than that though.

[andrewd]

Originally Posted by Tslicebass

Alright
Who here has the definitive reason as to why cell phones interfere with our music... you know what i am talking about... the infamous cell phone swing... deet de de deet de de deet.
I have heard many stories... including
1. It is copper wiring
2. It is only cingular/AT&T
3. It is certain types of equipment (chords, amps etc)
4. It is the screen on the cell phones that causes it
what do you guys think

It is only phones that use GSM networks. In the US, that's T-Mobile and AT&T (although Verizon is switching to GSM in a year or so). It's also 95% of what the rest of the world uses. It happens when you're about to get a call/text, and/or when data is being sent or received.

It seems to be pretty random what is affected by it. Newer devices seem less likely to be.

[Tslicebass]

yes... but can you explain why that it happens with the GSM network???

[enim]

GSM networks are time-based networks - meaning, your cell phone can only access the network for specific packets of time. Those noises are the packets being sent back and forth.

From Wikipedia: The clicking noise itself represents the power bursts that carry the TDMA signal. These signals have been known to interfere with other electronic devices, such as car stereos and portable audio players.

The noises affect any unbalanced lines in systems, unless they are very well shielded.

Thats it in a nutshell

[iamlowsound]

I have some really nice sounding speakers that I listen to music through, but they pick up my cell phone. It comes in handy, I know when I am getting a text before it happens. It is like seeing the future.

lowsound

[Tslicebass]

The myth has been put to rest

God bless you my talkbass brethren

[andrewd]

My LMII seems to be resistant to the sound. I assume that the DI is as well. I always turn my phone off when going on stage though! I never want to hear that sound coming through a cranked club PA.