Dirty Power

[4stringfarley]

I have a similar issue. It turned out to be due to my CPU. When I move or turn away from my computer it gets better. IPhones will also add interference more so than other brands.

 

[bholder]

I already replaced the overhead light dimmer with a switch because of noise. Are dimmers noisy even when off? I have another set that are always off, but they don't have an off switch, just turned down all the way - could they be the culprit? I think that's a separate circuit, but I really need to make a circuit map to be sure.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

I already replaced the overhead light dimmer with a switch because of noise. Are dimmers noisy even when off? I have another set that are always off, but they don't have an off switch, just turned down all the way - could they be the culprit? I think that's a separate circuit, but I really need to make a circuit map to be sure.

I think it entirely possible that type of dimmer could be an issue, especially if shared with the same outlet the amp is on.

 

[bholder]

I think it entirely possible that type of dimmer could be an issue, especially if shared with the same outlet the amp is on.

I'll rip them out and find out.

 

[Patrice B]

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

In my humble, not so professional, home studio, I don’t have the luxury to plug everything in the same outlet so my solutions were:

- I have four Radial StageBug SB-6 Line Isolators to cope with the ground loops between different devices (mixer, several amps, 2 computer daws);
- An EHX Hum Debugger to get rid of the noise on my single coil basses;
- A Radial ABY Bigshot to split my bass signal between two amps (ground lift and one channel xformer isolated). I still have two other in their boxes to split my signal between four amps but it implies another « spaghetti » of wires .

Even with all of this, I still have some bits of EFI/RFI depending on my playing position. I’ve tried a Furman power conditioner last summer but returned it ASAP as it made absolutely no difference!

BTW, I have at least killed an annoying noise (random hash noise) by turning off the 2.4 GHz band on my second router residing in the home studio.

The house was built in 1943 so there is that too.

 

[Patrice B]

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).

Sorry, you were talking about hiss.

With all my tube amps and signal routing, hiss is almost unavoidable unfortunately. However, I have to put my ear right against my cabs to hear it honestly… unless I crank my rigs to insane levels…

 

[bholder]

BTW, I have at least killed an annoying noise (random hash noise) by turning off the 2.4 GHz band on my second router residing in the home studio.

well now that's curious - I'm sitting a whole lot closer to the wireless router than before, maybe that's it, will try...

 

[Katoosie]

I'll rip them out and find out.

I assume the dimmer switches are the culprit along with any potential bad wiring. I live at a rental place that has dimmers everywhere and I have tried so many gizmos and nothing has worked except completely and I mean COMPLETELY cutting my entire rig from any house connections.

I share your pain. Hopefully getting rid of these dimmers will help you - for me, getting rid of them was not an option

 

[Redbrangus]

I already replaced the overhead light dimmer with a switch because of noise. Are dimmers noisy even when off? I have another set that are always off, but they don't have an off switch, just turned down all the way - could they be the culprit? I think that's a separate circuit, but I really need to make a circuit map to be sure.

A dimmer switch turned all the way down but not off can introduce line noise and/or radiated RFI. Replace that one with one that has an off switch. Modern dimmers produce a lot less noise anyway.

 

[GreyBeard]

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.

So, you had this same setup in a different location and didn't have the noise?

 

[Patrice B]

I have a similar issue. It turned out to be due to my CPU. When I move or turn away from my computer it gets better. IPhones will also add interference more so than other brands.

GPU’s, wireless mice, CPU’s, Wifi, mobile devices are now everywhere and you can hear them… everywhere

My main router is right on top of my old (tube) hifi system: when playing vinyls, I can hear « blips » and « blurbs » in the background. The phono stage has to amplify the signal a lot and, even with the tube shields, Wifi noise is induced in the amp. As a fast experiment, I took an old metal cigarette box and put it over the phono preamp tubes… and this noise was gone. I should put some shielding under the shelf over the amp to get rid of it but I am too lazy .

Pic (the white Bell thing is the router on the top shelf. The Dual TT do not appear on the picture but it’s located on the bottom shelf):

 

[agedhorse]

I already replaced the overhead light dimmer with a switch because of noise. Are dimmers noisy even when off? I have another set that are always off, but they don't have an off switch, just turned down all the way - could they be the culprit? I think that's a separate circuit, but I really need to make a circuit map to be sure.

Yes, the can be noise when turned all the way down.

I assume the dimmer switches are the culprit along with any potential bad wiring. I live at a rental place that has dimmers everywhere and I have tried so many gizmos and nothing has worked except completely and I mean COMPLETELY cutting my entire rig from any house connections.

I share your pain. Hopefully getting rid of these dimmers will help you - for me, getting rid of them was not an option

You may be assuming the wrong thing when you are guessing like this.

 

[bholder]

A dimmer switch turned all the way down but not off can introduce line noise and/or radiated RFI. Replace that one with one that has an off switch. Modern dimmers produce a lot less noise anyway.

yeah, these are from the 70s, so definitely old and bad - they don't even let the light get to full brightness. rip em out (I think there's just one left now)

 

[bholder]

So, you had this same setup in a different location and didn't have the noise?

Pretty much, yes - I mean there was noise, but not like this, it's definitely much worse here (than right on the other side of the wall in the "office" bedroom).

 

[GreyBeard]

I would disconnect everything in the signal chain and then add them one by one until the noise appeared. Then you would know the culprit. As of now we are just stabbing in the dark.

 

[bholder]

I would disconnect everything in the signal chain and then add them one by one until the noise appeared. Then you would know the culprit. As of now we are just stabbing in the dark.

yeah, sure, except the same signal chain was used in the other room where it was much quieter. definitely being caused by something not on the one plug I've got everything going through.

 

[Drredplate]

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.

you can connect the earth to the neutral which gives you PME with a very low earth loop impedance. It is safe provided the earth conductor is capable of carrying the full current capability of the supply. The earth neutral link is made before the consumer unit and any RCDs.
This means a 10mm earth conductor.
This is the preferred earthing system in the UK. The link is normally made at the substation and at approximately every 100 metres in the street. PME (protective multiple earthing) and it’s low impedance mean that RCDs react very quickly at low leakage.
I mention this as reference only and do not suggest it unless your local regs allow it and it’s done by a competent person.
I would suggest checking your earth before anything else on safety reasons alone

 

[musicmansf]

Everything in my kitchen *and* living room is on the same circuit breaker as my jam room

I recently got a small guitar tube amp and had an intermittent oscillation in the signal that was flanger-like. Can't wait to figure out what myriad of devices in my building could be causing it.

 

[GreyBeard]

yeah, sure, except the same signal chain was used in the other room where it was much quieter. definitely being caused by something not on the one plug I've got everything going through.

Run an extension cord to the other room where you had it setup before and power off of it to see if the noise disappears.

 

[bholder]

Run an extension cord to the other room where you had it setup before and power off of it to see if the noise disappears.

Now that's worth experiment! Thanks.

So I removed the offending dimmer. Buzz still here.

ooh ooh! I just accidentally isolated a big part of my buzz to the 6 things plugged into a particular extension strip! progress!