Static interferance

Cubase
1

Hi all, conscious that this is not necessarily a Cubase thing but maybe an audiophile out there can help. I have passive Tascam nearfield monitors (for the last 6 or 7 years) through Focusrite Scarlet interface. Recently I am getting interference/buzzing noise that, although is very low level when the pc is on and standing still, when I open up my DAW it is quite loud. It comes and goes intermittently but never goes away. It is emphasized when using the scroll wheel on the mouse when in Cubase. It does this for my other DAWs as well (Ableton and Reason). Anyone any ideas.

2

Hi,

This sounds like it could be a grounding issue, USB interference, or a problem related to electromagnetic interference (EMI) from your computer, given that it gets worse when interacting with your DAWs and using your mouse scroll. Here are a few steps you could try to diagnose and potentially resolve it:

  1. Check Grounding: Make sure that your audio interface, monitors, and any other connected gear share a common ground. Try plugging everything (PC, monitors, audio interface) into the same power strip to see if the noise diminishes.
  2. USB Ground Loop Isolator: Since the Focusrite Scarlett is USB-powered, it might be picking up ground noise through your computer’s USB port. Using a USB ground loop isolator can help to reduce or eliminate this kind of interference.
  3. Ferrite Beads on Cables: Adding ferrite beads to your USB, audio, or power cables can sometimes help to filter out high-frequency noise that may be getting introduced from other devices.
  4. Interface Placement: Keep the audio interface and cables away from your computer, power supplies, and other electronics that may be emitting EMI.
  5. Use Balanced Cables: Ensure you’re using balanced cables (TRS or XLR) to connect your audio interface to your monitors, as these are better at rejecting interference compared to unbalanced cables.
  6. Driver and Firmware Updates: Make sure your Focusrite Scarlett drivers and firmware are up-to-date. Sometimes driver updates can address noise issues that arise from specific use cases with certain DAWs.

If you’ve tried these and the noise persists, you might need a more detailed electrical diagnosis to see if there’s any irregularity in your studio’s power.

Btw, there are quite some threads here on the forum and also on other forums, on this topic.

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3

Thanks for the info. I think you are right about the grounding. I have done some web checks and it does sound like that is the cause. Not sure when it started but I think in the last 6 months. I know it hasn’t always been there. I have seen that there are some grounding defenders that can sit between the interface and the pc. I will take a look and see if that works. I have tried all of the other suggestions with no success. Will keep you posted. Thanks again, Paul

4

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1 Like