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Interference issues with monitors
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I’ve had them plugged into a basic power strip, I’ve had them plugged into a different APC backup.
Let’s go with the assumption there is something in the building as I have two sets of speakers of the same brand acting the same way.
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Is not know what you could do if it’s an electrical / building thing. I’d suggest trying some other pro end speakers to see if it’s a weakness of those speakers.
You may just have to be like most video editors I know and not worry about the audio .
Lol
PeterPost Production Dubbing Mixer
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You’ve tried everything I know, though there are dedicated line conditioning boxes that cost way more than built in stuff in battery back ups. I would try to find an electrician that has worked on production studios/post houses in NY. I think at this point it would be worth the consultation fee. Before that you might try to buy another set of speakers from a different brand that allow for a certain amount of time while you can still return. Like 30 days. Try them out. If the problem is solved then you have an answer. If the interference is regardless of which speakers then you have you have isolated your problem.
If you buy from BH again, you might be able to work out an exchange. It was their guy that recommended the brand you have.
You might ask your neighbors if they are experiencing the same problem. Not everyone is an editor but a lot of folks have either stereo or home movie speakers and or computer speakers – cheaper and less shielded.
Cell tower stuff is usually the speaker wires acting as an antena. The fact that that is not the culprit is interesting.
MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.
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Do you have an ATT mobile phone? If so, it may be interfering. I heard periodic interference when recording with a U87 mic. I was afraid there was a problem with the mic. Someone mentioned the ATT issue and the next time it cropped up sure enough the talent had an ATT mobile. We switched it off and the interference was gone. Then I started hearing what sounded like weak radio transmissions. I installed in-line RF filters on the mic lines and that interference went away. Good luck Finding interference sources is like finding water leaks. They can come from anywhere.
John
MacPro 8-core 2.8GHz, 16 GB RAM, OS 10.7.4, QT10.1, Kona 3, Dual Cinema 23, ATI Radeon HD 5870, 24″ TV-Logic Monitor, ATTO ExpressSAS R380 RAID Adapter, PDE enclosure with 8-drive 6TB RAID 5
FCS 3 (FCP 7.0.3, Motion 4.0.3, Comp 3.5.3, DVDSP 4.2.2, Color 1.5.3)
FCP-X 10.0.7, Motion 5.0.6, Compressor 4.0.6Pro Tools HD 10 w SYNC IO & 192 Digital I/O, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neumann U87, Schoeps Mk41 mics, Genelec DSP Monitors, Prima CDQ120 ISDN
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It’s been ‘fun’ trying out suggestions (and new ideas). the ‘it’s like trying to stop a series of leaks’ analogy is perfect.
Putting the old speakers in another room on another circuit renders them silent. Replacing one of the new with one of the old results in noise from the old (but not from the new if it was in a silent phase). Cell phone has been a concern (not sure it’s limited to AT&T – which is what I had – as I have been finding phones to interfere on shoots even. Would love a ban on phones in theaters but that’s another argument 🙂
So it’s either the electrical in my office or interference that is more prevalent there (which could be anything from the cell towers I see outside my window to my neighbors who run a hair salon in the adjacent apartment…don’t ask…). Luckily the newer ones have less a problem (and I’m hoping it stays that way and doesn’t increase). And I’m trying to move them further away from my ears so I hear the interference less.
But if anybody has had a similar experience and bought a set of speakers that worked better shielding-wise…let me know (I have 25 days to return these)
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Sounds to me like you have a combo of problems. The new ones have better shielding. There is a problem with the circuit and/or plug where you have been setting them up. There is phone interference once they are set up on a quiet properly grounded line. I would still think that cell interference applies to the speaker wire not electrical wire but maybe I’m wrong. Speaker wire I know acts as an antenna for over he air transmissions. So shorter runs sometimes help. And shielding.
MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.
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Hello Jonathan and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.
From the fine details you have given, I’m thinking that the RF is either coming up the power ground to your monitors or up the hot or cold side, or all three. So, right out of the wall and up the power cord.
Do the power cords have 3 pins? If so try a 3 to 2 converter that eliminates the ground and see if the rf goes away. If it doesn’t, than that means the RF may on the hot or cold side of the AC (in addition to the ground).
If this is the case, no amount of shielding will help. It’s dirty power.
What may help is a symmetrically balanced power conditioner. Furman makes one:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/657354-REG/Furman_P_2400_IT_P_2400_IT_Symmetrically_Balanced.html/BI/8631/KBID/9745B&H carries it and they are right in Manhattan. $2400!!!! Not cheap, but the symmetrical balancing does give you something regular power conditioners don’t. If you talk nice to them, B&H should let you buy and return it if it doesn’t work in your RF Hell Hole. Please keep us advised.
What conditioner are you currently using?
Regards,
Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum LeaderWant better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog -
Right now the speakers (and the computer) are plugged into an APC pro unit so not sure how much conditioning that actually provides (website is…vague).
$2400 is out of price range.
In reading the fine print on the KRK manuals…it reads like a drug ad on TV (Please make sure no TVs, monitors, dimmers and neon signs are plugged into the same AC outlet in the building…). Dimmer…hmmm…now that is something I hadn’t considered….
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at 6′, the Mogami’s are as short as I can safely make them (and for the price they cost, they should shield against alien and government transmissions so I can take off my tin foil hat..)
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So according to them you need a dedicated line for a set of computer monitors. Seriously, I’d go back to BH and get a different brand and test them out under the 30 trial. Return the one that doesn’t work. I mentioned above there are fancy line conditioners installed in studios with fat budgets. Ty knows his stuff and the price point makes sense.
I’d also find the local electric panel for your apartment, turn it off, unscrew the outlet you are using and see if the wiring look ok. Nothing frayed, nothing touching that shouldn’t be. easy enough to look on-line for the type of wiring connections and follow the diagrams.
MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.
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