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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)
We have an Allen & Heath 32-channel board and other good analog
equipment in our church. We wanted to capture some audio in digital
format for post processing and CD production.
Being short on funds (as always) a multi-track digital recorder was not
an option, so I bought a Sound Blaster Live! USB external for $49.
This, connected to a laptop is an easy and inexpensive solution.
The problem: The SB works fine when connected to a portable CD player
or home stereo. When connected to the Allen & Heath (via Aux outputs)
it is full of computer-generated noise. The noise level runs about -45
dB and varies in frequency and level based on what is going on in the
laptop (e.g. disk access, loading applications, even moving the mouse
around are clearly audible in the noise).
I don't understand how the computer is coupling into the analog signal.
It is converted from A to D in the external SB box -- the only
computer connection is the USB cable. This noise does not feed back
into the board. Disconnecting the SB box from the console at the AUX
outputs silences the noise, so I conclude it is not RF broadcast, but
something about the physical connection.
I even purchased another similar USB device ("Instant Music" by ADS
Tech). Same problem.
I can over-drive the AUX outputs and get a better S/N ratio, but it is
still way too much noise (and if I push too hard I drive the AUX
outputs to analog distortion).
Does anyone have experience with using one of these computer-based
digital capture USB devices with a mixer?
Thanks,
-Mark
We have an Allen & Heath 32-channel board and other good analog
equipment in our church. We wanted to capture some audio in digital
format for post processing and CD production.
Being short on funds (as always) a multi-track digital recorder was not
an option, so I bought a Sound Blaster Live! USB external for $49.
This, connected to a laptop is an easy and inexpensive solution.
The problem: The SB works fine when connected to a portable CD player
or home stereo. When connected to the Allen & Heath (via Aux outputs)
it is full of computer-generated noise. The noise level runs about -45
dB and varies in frequency and level based on what is going on in the
laptop (e.g. disk access, loading applications, even moving the mouse
around are clearly audible in the noise).
I don't understand how the computer is coupling into the analog signal.
It is converted from A to D in the external SB box -- the only
computer connection is the USB cable. This noise does not feed back
into the board. Disconnecting the SB box from the console at the AUX
outputs silences the noise, so I conclude it is not RF broadcast, but
something about the physical connection.
I even purchased another similar USB device ("Instant Music" by ADS
Tech). Same problem.
I can over-drive the AUX outputs and get a better S/N ratio, but it is
still way too much noise (and if I push too hard I drive the AUX
outputs to analog distortion).
Does anyone have experience with using one of these computer-based
digital capture USB devices with a mixer?
Thanks,
-Mark