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Static crackling in speakers

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2018 7:38 pm
by GuitarKit
Hi Taxiers.

I have terrible crackling in my monitor speakers. My Computer box sits on the ground under me and my speakers are about 3 feet away from the box. I have tried moving the speakers further away but no difference is made. Any thoughts on how I could get rid of the noise?

Thanks.

Re: Static crackling in speakers

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2018 8:24 pm
by lesmac
More info?

Re: Static crackling in speakers

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2018 9:26 pm
by Len911
first thing that strikes me is poor speaker connections, however without more info, it could be many things. What is the chain from the computer to the monitors? more than likely, it's a speaker or cable connection, the computer card to the amp, plugin junctions or adapters fitting poorly. that's always been my experience for static crackling in speakers. I would first try undoing and then redoing the connections.

Re: Static crackling in speakers

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2018 5:23 pm
by GuitarKit
Opps, sorry, more information would help.
So, I'm on a P.C running windows 10. My DAW is Cubase Elements hooked up to a Steinberg UR 22mkII interface. My speakers are coming out of the interface. I have had both 3 core and 2 core cables connected to the powered speakers, but neither make any difference to the noise. The speakers are only 1 foot and 2 feet away from the interface. The speakers have a balanced input choice, but the UR 22 only has TRS out.

Any thing else to get a fuller picture?

Thanks for your time.

Re: Static crackling in speakers

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2018 7:02 pm
by cassmcentee
Do you get the crackle only with Cubase or is it there always?

I say, Colonel Mustard with a Candlestick in the Library! :P

Re: Static crackling in speakers

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2018 8:24 pm
by Len911
trs is balanced. so is xlr. patch and instrument cables aren't generally balanced.

Re: Static crackling in speakers

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2018 11:47 pm
by lesmac
Definitely use balanced leads for monitors.
I have had crackling issues in the past with incorrect interface settings.
I have also in the past wrapped aluminium foil around some DC leads in an attempt to shield them, it didn't seem to hurt.
Best o luck with it, hope you sort it soon. One can do without this type of nuisance.

Re: Static crackling in speakers

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 7:13 am
by Kolstad
Might just be some static noise from dirty electronics, which happens over time. Have you tried using a little contact cleaner, like Deoxit? http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.188/.f

Re: Static crackling in speakers

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 5:55 pm
by GuitarKit
When I turn Cubase off, the crackle turns into more of a whistle/crackle type of sound. If I turn Cubase back on, the crackle sets in more.
I'll try getting some XLR cables from the speakers to the interface.

Thanks for all the help.

Re: Static crackling in speakers

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 6:36 pm
by Len911
the whistle sound at startup or shutdown is most likely a capacitor charging or 'discharging' in the circuitry some where, if you don't hear it in the headphones of the steinberg interface, it is most likely the power supply or amp in the powered monitors. if it isn't constant, I wouldn't worry too much.