Laptop Mains Gives Buzzing

[thex-faders]

Hi all,
We use a laptop with PCDJ for parts of our gigs but found we cannot have it plugged into the mains when it is connected to the mixer as it gives a fuzzing or buzz through the speakers. Can take a bit of it out via the EQ but it is still noticeable when no music is played, and could damage the speakers?

Is it due to insufficient earthing or an electrical problem?

If we use the laptop on its own without connecting to mains it works fine with no buzz at all.:)

Any advise would be appreciated as we cannot use the laptop for a whole gig due to battery life at the present.
Cheers

[PropellerHeadCase]

Are you sourcing the power for the mixer and lap-top from the same point? You can get earth-hum and other noise from differential power supply in the same audio chain. Alternatively maybe the internal power-supply unit in the lap-top is interfering with the sound-card/USB/whatever you're using.

[axeman]

this comes up al the time - over and over again...lol
i use a short plastic extension with the earth diconnected at the plug, (works fine - buzz gone) but others will advise you to buy ground loop isolaters ... or something

[Paul James Promotions]

i use a short plastic extension with the earth diconnected at the plug, (works fine - buzz gone) but others will advise you to buy ground loop isolaters ... or something

No excuse not to go out and purchase a Ground Loop Isolator, very cheap to buy and will solve your problem safely.

[Arnold_disco]

No excuse not to go out and purchase a Ground Loop Isolator, very cheap to buy and will solve your problem safely.

I agree With Jamie. There so cheap and will solve the problem safely.

[Steve the DJ]

I agree With Jamie. There so cheap and will solve the problem safely.

I agree as well, check out CPC for good value options on Ground Loop Isolators (http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/results.jsp?N=411+401&Ntk=gensearch_003&Ntt=ground+loop&Ntx=).

[Tony Scott]

I agree as well, check out CPC for good value options on Ground Loop Isolators (http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/results.jsp?N=411+401&Ntk=gensearch_003&Ntt=ground+loop&Ntx=).

Less than £10 delivered, I got one from CPC.

Used it on a carnival float with a generator once. Sorted the signal out from the mixer to the eq rack, so its good for all these types of things! :)

Got 6kw to put on to our carnival float in two weeks time, can't wait!! :D

[Spirits High]

Got mine from the "M" word store think it was only 4.99!

[Cj_The_Dj]

try this it worked for my friend

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PCDJ-PC-DJ-GROUND-LOOP-HUM-STOPPER-FOR-LAPTOP-DISCO-DJ_W0QQitemZ300133699651QQihZ020QQcategoryZ69963QQ tcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

try this it worked for my friend

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PCDJ-PC-DJ-GROUND-LOOP-HUM-STOPPER-FOR-LAPTOP-DISCO-DJ_W0QQitemZ300133699651QQihZ020QQcategoryZ69963QQ tcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I think one or two people have advised that already....:rolleyes:

[TONYTIGER]

Less than £10 delivered, I got one from CPC.

Used it on a carnival float with a generator once. Sorted the signal out from the mixer to the eq rack, so its good for all these types of things! :)

Got 6kw to put on to our carnival float in two weeks time, can't wait!! :D

Might be lucky with the weather in sunny Weymouth then

[flatliners]

may i ask what laptop you are using because some of them are known for a buzzing problem the dells and the sony viaos are known for it

[Jiggles]

make one :D:D all it is a think like a Transformer but it has the same number of loops on both sides so it doesnt drop or amplify the signal!

[thex-faders]

I am unsure of the make of the laptop as it is my fellow DJ's. But it has a NVidia (spelt wrong) sound card which is usually pretty good!
It is obviouslt an earthing problem as when you remove the mains adaptor the buzzing stops completely.
I will look at getting a transformer, but for the moment we dont use the laptop for full length of events so it doesn't matter too much.

Cheers for all your advise

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I am unsure of the make of the laptop as it is my fellow DJ's. But it has a NVidia (spelt wrong) sound card which is usually pretty good!
It is obviouslt an earthing problem as when you remove the mains adaptor the buzzing stops completely.
I will look at getting a transformer, but for the moment we dont use the laptop for full length of events so it doesn't matter too much.

Cheers for all your advise

Nvidia make graphics cards as far as I'm aware and not sound cards.

Transformer? Just get a ground loop isolator as has been suggested. :rolleyes:

[leighinstoke]

Got mine from the "M" word store think it was only 4.99!

Just say MAPLIN as we know where you mean.

[DJ Colin]

Hi all,
We use a laptop with PCDJ for parts of our gigs but found we cannot have it plugged into the mains when it is connected to the mixer as it gives a fuzzing or buzz through the speakers. Can take a bit of it out via the EQ but it is still noticeable when no music is played, and could damage the speakers?

Is it due to insufficient earthing or an electrical problem?

If we use the laptop on its own without connecting to mains it works fine with no buzz at all.:)

Any advise would be appreciated as we cannot use the laptop for a whole gig due to battery life at the present.
Cheers

I had the same problem with the HP Laptop I use now (previous laptop a Toshiba never had the problem) until I purchased a ground loop isolator from Xitel.

Colin

[pagan_flame]

Just say MAPLIN as we know where you mean.My 'new' one does too, just the same (Compaq P4 with OTSDJ) - I'm not keen on paying 20 quid for one so I'm off to Maplins on Friday for one @ £8.99 (link --> HERE (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=ground%20loop%20isolator&source=15&SD=Y) )

I'll be trying it on Saturday so will let you know if / how it works.