interference from desktop pc

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slash57

slash57

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Hi,

How do you deal with interference from the pc?
My PUs pick up interference from my desktop computer :doh:
When I'm recording it's obviously not convenient to move too far away and my room is small anyway.
I only have humbucker guitars, no SC.
It's a high pitched noise and gets louder when I move nearer to my pc, but I can't move much further away :( I'm already using a Di Box (that didn't help)

Has anyone had this issue and has any idea how to solve it?

I heard that some people put aluminium foil in the cutouts in the guitar, so it doesn't pick up interference. Would this help?

Thank you! :)
 
Yup, shield the cavities. Also, turn off your wireless card. If you have any fluorescent lights, those will wreak havoc as well.
 
Is there a tutorial for noobs for shielding the cavities?
I don't know how exactly I'd do that. just take out all the pots etc,
put the foil in there and then reinstall everything?
What about the grounding?
Thank you! :)
 
Generally speaking, your PC shouldn't induce interference. Is it an old PC? Any chance that the power supply in it is a little wonky? Are you using an old CRT? Do you have external components plugged-in to it that might be the cause?
 
It's a new pc, I used pretty good components (beQuiet PSU). I experienced the same with my other PC, which has a quality Corsair PSU. It's not from my led screen, already tried shutting that off. I don't have fluorescent lights either.
I'm running a pretty normal setup. PC, led screen, interface and 2 monitor speakers. Nothing special.
Since I'm using the DI box, there is no noise because of the studio monitors any more. Before that I used to have crazy loud noises as soon as the speakers were connected to the interface and I had the guitar plugged into the interface.

I don't know if this comes from the led on the case or some electronics on top of the case? when I move nearer to the pc the noise gets louder.
The case is a Fractal R4 if that helps.
Thank you =)
 
slash57":12ofsohm said:
It's a new pc, I used pretty good components (beQuiet PSU). I experienced the same with my other PC, which has a quality Corsair PSU. It's not from my led screen, already tried shutting that off. I don't have fluorescent lights either.
I'm running a pretty normal setup. PC, led screen, interface and 2 monitor speakers. Nothing special.
I don't know if this comes from the led on the case - when I move nearer to the pc the noise gets louder.
The case is a Fractal R4 if that helps.
Thank you
Click to expand...
So... it's a homebuilt PC with lights in the case? If so, I would start there. Could be the light, could be fans, could be a combination of things...

There's nothing wrong with building your own, but there's a good chance that's the problem. "Store bought" PC's have to meet EMI emission specs that a home-brew contraption (most likely) won't...
 
No it's just a status light, that the computer is on. No fancy LED inside the case :)
I'll try to disconnect the front fan, maybe it'll help.

I think my interface is broken anyways..the noise changes in pitch when I change the buffer size. I'm slowly going nuts with this stuff :/

Here's a short clip: https://clyp.it/qvm1xssd stuff of nightmares.
 
Are you certain it's the guitar picking up the noise? Sorry if it is, but I figure I should ask, since the noise doesn't sound like anything my pickups have ever been subject to. If you haven't done this already, try unplugging the guitar. Also try turning the guitar's volume down to see what happens.

Another thought: are you certain it's the PC causing the noise? What if it's something near your PC, such as your cell phone or another appliance/light fixture/dimmer switch on the wall/etc.?

Also: what interface are you using, and what settings are you using it with?
 
I sent the unit in and got a mail that my Focusrite Scarlett was broken and is being repaired or exchanged :) Thank God.

I already guessed it can't be anything as I already ruled out a lot of stuff (lighting, cables etc). Thanks for helping!
 
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