Studio Monitor Crackling Interference

[johntaylor91]

In my home recording studio, I have my computer hooked up to an audio interface, and from there I have two 1/4 inch TS cables running into two powered studio monitors. When using the studio monitors, occasionally they will both make a crackling or clicking sound. I'm wondering what exactly the problem is. I'm thinking that it could be interference from other electronics in my setup, but before I go out to buy TRS balanced cables, I just wanted to see if anyone else has had this problem and has found a solution to it.

 

[2.6kHz]

Double check the integrity of the cables just in case. If the system is setup for low latency, it could be that a sound event is being handled at the same time another process requests an interrupt. This can/will cause crackling on my setup. A good example of this is scrolling up and down a web page using a USB mouse while sound is playing. In that case, it's dropouts, not really static.

Could also be wifi interference if you are in close proximity to a antenna.

 

[johntaylor91]

I've ruled out the interrupt dropout problem. Mouse scrolling doesn't have any affect on the clicking sound coming through the speakers. I'm also not in close proximity to a wifi antenna. Thanks for your suggestions, though, 2.6kHz. Much appreciated. I guess I'll just have to get balanced cables and see if that does the trick!

 

[RDUB]

Dimmers or motors on the same electrical circuit will sometimes mess up hiZ cables as well. Even a badly shielded PC power supply could, theoretically.

 

[audioglenn]

Before you get the balanced cables, make sure your interface has balanced outs and that your monitors have balanced inputs. If not, the balance cables will not help.
Also, make sure you have the latest drivers for your interface. Check the manufacturers website.

 

[silky smoove]

Are you using these with a DAW? It could be too low of a buffer setting causing your computer to be overworked. I've heard overworked machines emit all sorts of crazy popping, crackling, static, etc. type sounds that were solved by assigning a larger buffer.

 

[Crater]

Electrical interference shouldn't be a big problem, even with unbalanced cables, because hopefully your cables are short, shielded and because the signal from the interface to the monitors is low impedance.

Does the crackling only occur when during playback? If so, then it could be a latency (data delay) problem with your interface. Are you new to computer recording? You may have to change the "driver model" your interface uses, for recording purposes using an ASIO driver is preferred, but often an interface will default to "WDM" or something because, you know, Windows® knows what's best for you! (usually). This means tweaking the drivers and settings for your interface, and that's usually done through your recording program. (also called a "DAW" for "Digital Audio Workstation")

In general computer recording is great, but these kinds of problems DO pop up and cause headaches. One company makes your interface, another company makes the DAW software, yet another company makes the PC hardware and still another company (most likely Microsoft) makes the operating system software.

 

[Timi]

Do you still get the noise on headphones?

 

[johntaylor91]

I don't get any noise on headphones through the audio interface. The crackling occurs at any given time, during playback and not. I've confirmed that my audio interface and my monitors DO have balanced ins and outs. I've updated my interface's driver as well. Also, I am using a DAW. I'm not quite sure how to change the buffer settings, however. If changing the buffer settings doesn't solve this problem, would I be safe to assume that getting balanced cables will help solve the problem?

 

[lowfreq33]

Might be helpful to give a rundown of your gear so we know what you're working with. If your monitors are something like a pair of Samson Resolv65's, it could just be that they're junk, and all your troubleshooting is pointless. Not saying they are, just saying.

 

[Stick_Player]

Synch / Clock issues?

 

[monkeyland]

Why all of the gnashing of teeth over using balanced cables? There's generally no advantage to running unbalanced anything in studio or PA lines. Save that for the guitar cords.

 

[johntaylor91]

I've got a chain going from my desktop computer --> Scarlett 6i6 audio interface --> pair of Yamaha HS8 studio monitors. The monitors are not junk haha. People are mentioning syncing or clock issues. How would I go about fixing this if it was the problem? monkeyland, why does my equipment support balanced cables if there is no advantage? I don't know a lot about this kind of stuff. I'm just trying to figure out what's causing the problem.

 

[Timi]

Since you aren't getting the noise through headphones it won't be a clocking/buffer issue. I'd suspect;

Noisy volume pot on the interface.
Dirty output jacks on the interface (unlikely since both monitors have the same problem).
Faulty cables (unlikely since both monitors have the same problem)
Unbalanced cables (although a crackling sound seems weird, usually hum/buzz is the problem here, I'd still buy some balanced cables they aren't expensive).
Faulty monitors (unlikely since both monitors have the same problem).
Power interference with the monitors.

 

[monkeyland]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanced_audio

 

[johntaylor91]

Thank you everyone for your helpful replies. The problem has been fixed simply by using balanced cables rather than unbalanced.

 

[FFTT]

I thought the tweeters to my Yamaha MSP7's might have been blown.
It turned out that a buildup of crud on the monitor output jacks to my interface was causing a bad connection.
A few squirts of De-oxit contact cleaner took care of it.