I am having a problem with hissing sounds from my outboard gear (my Virus and my Drumstation)..
I first thought it was poorly shielded cables that picked up a lot of noise, but when unplugging them from my Alesis ADAT interface the noise was still there!
The Signal to noise Ratio of the Alesis is 100db on the inputs, I am getting 80db!
I am starting to think there is something wrong with the electric stuff here in my house, it is old and not grounded...
Is there anyway of grounding my gear when my house does not have grounding?
I have seen some places that has large transformers for this (we have one at work, it's like a HUGE 220V->12V transformer but it's 220V->220V instead), would it help?
HISS!!!
<img src="http://www.elfa.se/images/ct_hires/A21202_1.JPG">
I was thinking of something like this, this is for attaching grounded gear, like computers etc. to non-grounded mains...
I was thinking of something like this, this is for attaching grounded gear, like computers etc. to non-grounded mains...
if it's the main supply I'd rather consult an electrician. Fiddling around could be dangerous for you and your gear 
It's no wonder that you get disturbance because all shields are somewhat 'hanging in the air' and there's no common reference point to ground.
My parents home was ungrounded for > 20 years.
Their video recorder picked up a signal that made it look like the tape had a mechanical problem during start. If it was connected in a different sequence with the rest of the gear, all was perfect.
I didn't believe my eyes when I saw it the first time, but I knew that (in-)famous sentence: 'You have a ground problem'
Overlooked the picture: looks solid and expensive. Can you lend it for a try out ?
cheers, Tom
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: astroman on 2003-04-15 08:24 ]</font>
It's no wonder that you get disturbance because all shields are somewhat 'hanging in the air' and there's no common reference point to ground.
My parents home was ungrounded for > 20 years.
Their video recorder picked up a signal that made it look like the tape had a mechanical problem during start. If it was connected in a different sequence with the rest of the gear, all was perfect.
I didn't believe my eyes when I saw it the first time, but I knew that (in-)famous sentence: 'You have a ground problem'
Overlooked the picture: looks solid and expensive. Can you lend it for a try out ?
cheers, Tom
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: astroman on 2003-04-15 08:24 ]</font>
I have been to an electrician today and discussed it, and he said that it probably would help, and it would at least give my pc and other equipment a much more solid current and would filter out any noise and hum coming from the net and my grounded equipment..
One thing he mentioned was that it doesn't take more than bad weather (with a little thunder) to make tha current coming from the mains jump up to 300V-400V, and that's <b>not</b> even when lightning strikes!
So I recomend everyone to look in to this..
He also had a model specifically for PC's (and other equipment)in high tech enviroments (such as a studio) that had a battery as well, so even if the power fails in my house, I would be able to use my computer (and what else I have plugged in to it) for around a hour after power-loss!
But this was pretty pricey, about 600€, so I don't think I will get one of those...
I will call around from work tomorrow and see what stuff I can get, and if I can return stuff if it doesn't help, and I will post here if my problems are solved...
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: aMo on 2003-04-15 11:03 ]</font>
One thing he mentioned was that it doesn't take more than bad weather (with a little thunder) to make tha current coming from the mains jump up to 300V-400V, and that's <b>not</b> even when lightning strikes!
So I recomend everyone to look in to this..
He also had a model specifically for PC's (and other equipment)in high tech enviroments (such as a studio) that had a battery as well, so even if the power fails in my house, I would be able to use my computer (and what else I have plugged in to it) for around a hour after power-loss!
But this was pretty pricey, about 600€, so I don't think I will get one of those...
I will call around from work tomorrow and see what stuff I can get, and if I can return stuff if it doesn't help, and I will post here if my problems are solved...
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: aMo on 2003-04-15 11:03 ]</font>
well, that reminds me: recently in the supermarket they had a pile of car starter batteries and chargers as a special offer.
Seems they don't sell too good in the warm season
It triggered the idea to run the computer from such a battery. Haven't checked yet about voltage converters, but since it's a down conversion that shouldn't be a big issue. Any 12V wallwart stuff would run nearly unmodified.
The thing would be death silent and even safe from all lightning strikes but the direct hits
cheers, Tom
Seems they don't sell too good in the warm season
It triggered the idea to run the computer from such a battery. Haven't checked yet about voltage converters, but since it's a down conversion that shouldn't be a big issue. Any 12V wallwart stuff would run nearly unmodified.
The thing would be death silent and even safe from all lightning strikes but the direct hits
cheers, Tom
It's called a UPS (Un-interruptable Power Supply). They are definitely a worthwhile investment. I run one for line conditioning as well as power loss. After all the $$$ I spent on the pulsar cards, I want the power to be clean! The uptime you have is based on how much gear you've got plugged in. I have about 10mins after loss of power which is plenty of time to save work and shutdown the systems cleanly until power is restored. But most times power cuts are usually very brief so I don't need to shutdown at all.He also had a model specifically for PC's (and other equipment)in high tech enviroments (such as a studio) that had a battery as well, so even if the power fails in my house, I would be able to use my computer (and what else I have plugged in to it) for around a hour after power-loss!
But this was pretty pricey, about 600€, so I don't think I will get one of those...
Hi Tom
I remember once I had the idea to run my High-End stereo-system with car bateries (system is sold now). An old tube amplifier designer told me, that it could be dangerous due to car bateries not being 100% sealed, and that they therefor ould leak gasses (wich are highly flameable). It has been some years, since I heard the story. Things may have changed in my head, but ask some knowledgeable people on the subject - just in case.
I remember once I had the idea to run my High-End stereo-system with car bateries (system is sold now). An old tube amplifier designer told me, that it could be dangerous due to car bateries not being 100% sealed, and that they therefor ould leak gasses (wich are highly flameable). It has been some years, since I heard the story. Things may have changed in my head, but ask some knowledgeable people on the subject - just in case.
tnx Immanuel,
your absolutely right, I really forgot about that one. Every rock climber (which I do from time to time) knows those infamous stories about people falling to death because they stored ropes in the garage close to (or even on) car batteries.
The gas creeps into the nylon and invisibly modifies the internal structure so the rope breaks at even a slight fall, though still looking as if in perfect conditon
So I better stick to Rodos' method of drilling holes in walls and have the computer in the next room
cheers, Tom
your absolutely right, I really forgot about that one. Every rock climber (which I do from time to time) knows those infamous stories about people falling to death because they stored ropes in the garage close to (or even on) car batteries.
The gas creeps into the nylon and invisibly modifies the internal structure so the rope breaks at even a slight fall, though still looking as if in perfect conditon
So I better stick to Rodos' method of drilling holes in walls and have the computer in the next room
cheers, Tom