Dirty Power

[green3101]

Hi there,

Was wondering anyone could help at all

I have a bedroom studio set up, with a pair of KRK Rokit 7 G4s, I also have an Ampeg all tube bass amplifier. The reason why I mention both of these, is because my query is based around an issue I am facing with both. Essentially when I have them plugged in and switched on, I get a lot of white noise/hiss when no sound is coming out of either (it's a lot louder from the bass amp, i think this might be down to the tubes and my main concern - hence why I have posted this thread in the amp forum). I don't think it is the amp, and if it is, this will be sorted as i'm taking it to a tech for a checkup today. It's just rather coincidental that both audio outputs (the monitors and the amp) have the same issue. I've been doing a bit of reading and think this might be down to dirty power in my home/room. I was wondering if you can suggest anything I can do to solve this issue? I've been reading up on power conditioners and wonder if this could be an answer?

https://furmanpower.com/product/10a-two-outlet-power-conditioner/

Would something like this work?

Cheers,

Mike

 

[Aloe]

not really. there're some problems, possible in wiring, but none of them are solved by a power conditioner. namely:

1. bad ground. you want a good ground, or at least ground connected to the neutral wire (potentially unsafe, but better than no ground IME).
2. some weird interference in the grid, like from a simistor stabilizer or light dimmers. sometimes you can turn off those devices and you're good, sometimes no.

if you're sure, that's bad electricity, try an isolated power source, like an online UPS. if you have some kind of power station (like a Jackery Explorer), try running the equipment from it off-grid and see, what happens.

please also note that some amount of white noise from HF speakers is kinda normal. generally it's also normal that an all-tube amp of older designs will hiss more than recent equipment, it just has a worse signal to noise usable ratio. before panicking, look up the noise-to-signal ratio in your amp's manual and see if you got it much worse.

 

[bholder]

I'm having a similar problem with a lot of noise on the circuit I'm on. I'm trying one of these from Amazon, should arrive today, I will update later today.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08QZ8ZXF7/ref=ya_aw_od_pi

 

[green3101]

I'm having a similar problem with a lot of noise on the circuit I'm on. I'm trying one of these from Amazon, should arrive today, I will update later today.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08QZ8ZXF7/ref=ya_aw_od_pi

let me know mate, interested to hear your outcome

 

[Redbrangus]

'Dirty power' isn't as common as people seem to think.

Noise introduced into audio systems from power line sources isn't typically described as 'hiss', but is more like 'hash' or 'buzz'. For the OP, do your monitors make the same amount of noise when there is nothing plugged into the input -- no mixer or interface, etc.? Or does the noise change when you insert the input cables?

I don't know about the product referenced above, but typically, 'power conditioners' don't do much to quiet system noise. I will note that the power conditioner shown is a "Hi-End Audio Grade", so it must be pretty good.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

As others said some hiss is normal from amplified devices. My studio creates a fair amount, especially when I have a bunch of mixer channels open (synths, drum machines, fx returns) and amps.

this stuff is not a problem on recoding if handled with the minimum of fade automation in DAW.

If I’m doing something in my studio other than recording of practicing instruments (like defragging cable messes or reading an annoying manual) and hiss bugs me I turn down my mixer and/or put amps on standby.

I gently suggest that you might be paying more attention to slight imperfections in audio than is warranted!

 

[bholder]

As others said some hiss is normal from amplified devices. My studio creates a fair amount, especially when I have a bunch of mixer channels open (synths, drum machines, fx returns) and amps.

this stuff is not a problem on recoding if handled with the minimum of fade automation in DAW.

If I’m doing something in my studio other than recording of practicing instruments (like defragging cable messes or reading an annoying manual) and hiss bugs me I turn down my mixer and/or put amps on standby.

I gently suggest that you might be paying more attention to slight imperfections in audio than is warranted!

not in my case - my friends and a few TBers and Soundcloud buddys have told me my latest recordings (since I moved my desk) have far too much noise. A noise gate doesn't cut it, as the noise is audible during quieter sections of the music.

 

[bholder]

I don't know about the product referenced above, but typically, 'power conditioners' don't do much to quiet system noise. I will note that the power conditioner shown is a "Hi-End Audio Grade", so it must be pretty good.

Yeah, I generally count those "marketing claims" as strikes against them, not to be believed. We'll see - if it doesn't help, I'm sending it back...

 

[bholder]

'Dirty power' isn't as common as people seem to think.

Noise introduced into audio systems from power line sources isn't typically described as 'hiss', but is more like 'hash' or 'buzz'. For the OP, do your monitors make the same amount of noise when there is nothing plugged into the input -- no mixer or interface, etc.? Or does the noise change when you insert the input cables?

I don't know about the product referenced above, but typically, 'power conditioners' don't do much to quiet system noise. I will note that the power conditioner shown is a "Hi-End Audio Grade", so it must be pretty good.

Mine's definitely a typical 60hz "buzz" rather than a hiss. Fingers crossed it's the power and not "in the air"...

 

[anderbass]

I've solved issues like that by powering everything from the same outlet instead of 2 or more.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Hi there,

Was wondering anyone could help at all

I have a bedroom studio set up, with a pair of KRK Rokit 7 G4s, I also have an Ampeg all tube bass amplifier. The reason why I mention both of these, is because my query is based around an issue I am facing with both. Essentially when I have them plugged in and switched on, I get a lot of white noise/hiss when no sound is coming out of either (it's a lot louder from the bass amp, i think this might be down to the tubes and my main concern - hence why I have posted this thread in the amp forum). I don't think it is the amp, and if it is, this will be sorted as i'm taking it to a tech for a checkup today. It's just rather coincidental that both audio outputs (the monitors and the amp) have the same issue. I've been doing a bit of reading and think this might be down to dirty power in my home/room. I was wondering if you can suggest anything I can do to solve this issue? I've been reading up on power conditioners and wonder if this could be an answer?

https://furmanpower.com/product/10a-two-outlet-power-conditioner/

Would something like this work?

Cheers,

Mike

There are two possibilities, noise on your power line or electromagnetic noise. A power line filter address only one possible cause. If the amps are noise free at another location, chances are they are fine. As for EM noise, it could be bad building wiring, fluorescent lights, a light dimmer, a router, internet over power lines, LED lighting power supply, a cell phone, proximity to some external influence, etc.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

Bholder: I was talking about the slight background hiss, not 60 cycle hum! That’s a totally different thing that is plainly audible alongside the recorded instrument because it is part of that track (so can’t be gated, etc).

 

[bholder]

Bholder: I was talking about the slight background hiss, not 60 cycle hum! That’s a totally different thing that is plainly audible alongside the recorded instrument.

yeah, sorry I kinda hijacked the thread there...

 

[Redbrangus]

not in my case - my friends and a few TBers and Soundcloud buddys have told me my latest recordings (since I moved my desk) have far too much noise. A noise gate doesn't cut it, as the noise is audible during quieter sections of the music.

You seem to be saying you have noise on your recordings that you're not hearing during the recording/mixing process. Not sure what to say about that, other than it's more likely to be audio interface issues than power line problems. Resolving something like that starts with getting the monitor system quiet and then adding the various elements of the signal chain one step at a time.

I had just been about to add that we seem to have hijacked the thread. And I had started my original post with something like, "We're not going to be able to help much because we aren't there to hear what the various 'solutions' are or are not doing." I edited that out, but that's where I'm at now. For the OP, I'll respectively suggest that nothing labeled 'power conditioner' will resolve the issue you describe -- if it even is something other than one of perception. (I mean, all amplified systems have some sort of hiss.) Also, I never heard if the monitors are quieter with nothing plugged into the inputs.

 

[bholder]

You seem to be saying you have noise on your recordings that you're not hearing during the recording/mixing process. Not sure what to say about that, other than it's more likely to be audio interface issues than power line problems. Resolving something like that starts with getting the monitor system quiet and then adding the various elements of the signal chain one step at a time.

I had just been about to add that we seem to have hijacked the thread. And I had started my original post with something like, "We're not going to be able to help much because we aren't there to hear what the various 'solutions' are or are not doing." I edited that out, but that's where I'm at now. For the OP, I'll respectively suggest that nothing labeled 'power conditioner' will resolve the issue you describe -- if it even is something other than one of perception. (I mean, all amplified systems have some sort of hiss.) Also, I never heard if the monitors are quieter with nothing plugged into the inputs.

Thanks. Sorry if I wasn't clear - my noise issue is always present. Maddening.

 

[agedhorse]

Hiss is rarely related to power issues and most often related to gain structure.

Power accessory devices are rarely successful at doing anything except separating you from your money.

 

[bholder]

Hiss is rarely related to power issues and most often related to gain structure.

Power accessory devices are rarely successful at doing anything except separating you from your money.

As I suspected, expecting I'll be trying the device and sending it right back. Also trying an audio level "hum eliminating" transformer thingie, maybe I'll have better luck with that. The real solution may just be to move back to the old room lol...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BARTW42/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[agedhorse]

As I suspected, expecting I'll be trying the device and sending it right back. Also trying an audio level "hum eliminating" transformer thingie, maybe I'll have better luck with that. The real solution may just be to move back to the old room lol...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BARTW42/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

This only solved ground loop hum. Again, you need to identify the cause before the solution.

 

[bholder]

This only solved ground loop hum. Again, you need to identify the cause before the solution.

Yeah, there's the rub - that's pretty hard to do...

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

The one thing that stands out to me is Tubes… If you can get your mitts on another amp, possibly SS, this would serve to really limit the variables here. I’m curious- are you operating off 50 cycle? I would hesitate to blame the power, but perhaps there is a mismatch of sorts between your amp and your power. I would eliminate one variable at a time rather than jump to conclusions about your power being “dirty”…A big source of hum are dimmers on the same circuit. Try turning off all your lighting if possible…If you can isolate your amp and run it on a clean outlet that’d be nice.