Buzzing speakers

[JAMdisco]

Hi, after a bit of help.

I am currently running a Skytec "DJ Kit" connected to 2 Mackie SRM450 active speakers.

I use mic cables to connect the speakers (XLR-XLR) but there is an unusually loud hum from the speakers. It's not a problem while the music is playing but I never had this problem in my old band when we used these and it's bugging me.

Any ideas.

[Harrison's Discos]

Oh dear, mackie SRM 450's buzzing :eek: Reminds me of our theatre at college. They were the main speakers we used for a lot of things, and we had a few buzz issues with them :bang:

Funnily enough it was sometimes just the case of switching the desk on :D , but sometimes dodgy cables or wiring can be the problem.

[Dragonfly]

try unplugging the connecting cables from mixer to mackies .......... is there still a buzzing? obviously with the mackies plugged in and switched on.

the reason for this is it maybe a fault on one of the channels from the mixer if the buzzing stops your speakers are fine ....

next change the leads from mixer to mackies ..... if the buzzing stops its your leads.

if the problem persists after the above 2 tests take a look at the connections on the out put of your mixer? maybe the problem.

i sometimes get a bit of noise through mine ..... most of the time i dont.... rightly or wrongly i have put this down to venue power supply as it will do it at a gig but not when i test it out with everything in the same place when i get home.

[spin mobile disco]

Or an earth hum from the mixer or cd decks.

[Harrison's Discos]

i dont know why, but there seemed to be a humming issue with these speakers too offen :confused:

[JAMdisco]

Or an earth hum from the mixer or cd decks.

So how do I overcome this?

[Harrison's Discos]

So how do I overcome this?

Check that your cables are securely plugged into the mixer, and twist them about and see if the hum stops. Just try and have a general fiddle and see what happens.
Like someone else suggested, it could just be the power supply.

[JAMdisco]

Is it ok to use mic cables for speaker cables - this is what I've always done in the past, or are speaker cables different - i.e. shielded?

[Dragonfly]

good question ........... no idea ........ but ............ i went out and bought a 10m mic cable and mistakenly used it to connect up the mackies ............ made a horrible helicopter sound through the system ........... swapped the cable back over ......... sound disappeared????

[PropellerHeadCase]

I was actually going to say that I thought mic leads and speaker leads were different impedances. Mic leads are fine for mics (duh) and for your mixer to amp-feed, not sure if that remains the case when mixer to amp is a significant distance.

[A1DL]

Is it ok to use mic cables for speaker cables - this is what I've always done in the past, or are speaker cables different - i.e. shielded?

No, the cable diameter is far too small for the purpose.

Edit - just read the thread again - to clarify, mic cable cannot be used between an amplifier and speakers, but in the context of providing a signal to powered cabs, absolutely fine.

[Thames Valley Discos]

also, make sure the mixer is not switched to phono rather than line. I had that once and i got an awfull buzzing noise

[Excalibur]

Hi, after a bit of help.

I am currently running a Skytec "DJ Kit" connected to 2 Mackie SRM450 active speakers.

I use mic cables to connect the speakers (XLR-XLR) but there is an unusually loud hum from the speakers. It's not a problem while the music is playing but I never had this problem in my old band when we used these and it's bugging me.

Any ideas.

Check the back of the mixer. There may be a switch labelled "earth lift" Check with it one way, switch everything off, change position, and restart and check.

[Tom]

would the speaker have an earth lift button on them anyway???. i have an earth button on my active speakers

[Excalibur]

would the speaker have an earth lift button on them anyway???. i have an earth button on my active speakers

Quite possibly, as it is a mains powered amp.

[Tom]

i dont know anything about mackie speakers. just suggesting it then DeeJayDrinker can look on his speakers

[JAMdisco]

No, there's no earth lift on the speakers but there is something on the back of the mixer (something to do with the earth but can't remember what it is) I think I tried switching it but made no difference (although I don't think I switched everyhting off before switching it)

[Harrison's Discos]

Try it again, do what you said and then see.
Have you got rid of it yet?

[JAMdisco]

I'll try it on Saturday at the next gig.
Will keep you posted.

[Harrison's Discos]

Good luck :D

[Tom]

thought your name was Dee Jay. not Jay Dee. whoops. :lol:

[Cj_The_Dj]

is there a swicth called ground if so flick it over.

[Penfold42]

is there a swicth called ground if so plick it over.

:confused:
Do you mean 'flick'......:)

[PropellerHeadCase]

No, no. You definitely 'plick' a 'swicth' ;)

[Corabar Steve]

No, there's no earth lift on the speakers but there is something on the back of the mixer (something to do with the earth but can't remember what it is) I think I tried switching it but made no difference (although I don't think I switched everyhting off before switching it)


would the speaker have an earth lift button on them anyway???. i have an earth button on my active speakers


is there a swicth called ground if so flick it over.
Keep up CJ :sj: