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Hi.
I just recently hooked up a mixer a friend gave me, which is in perfect condition and a brand new SM58. I'm running the SM58 directly into the mixer, and the mixer to my computer using two red and white rca cords into a 1/8 inch adaptor which goes into the "In" on my computer.

However, I can't seem to get rid of a strange, fast pulsing noise that sounds similar to when you bring your cell phone to a set of speakers.
I also am getting a lot of hiss that i can't seem to get rid of.
Any help?

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anonymous Tue, 01/03/2006 - 13:55

poor ground somewhere in the board, crappy cables, or dirty electricity. Do you have flourescent (sp) lights? If so try turning them off and see if it goes away. If it does run all your gear off of one of those monster cable power conditioners, or never turn them on. If thats not the problem (lights) try getting new cables. If that does nothinbg I would try the board since you said the mic is new.

RemyRAD Tue, 01/03/2006 - 21:34

It sounds to me that the output of the mixer or the input to your sound card has a bad DC blocking capacitor?

If your mixer output is producing +4dbm, and you are using a Sound Blaster type line input, you are overloading the line input on the Sound Blaster card. Now even if you don't have a Sound Blaster card and it is just some other generic variety, the same holds true. They are not designed for a "studio input" level. Try backing down the output level from your mixer. Adjust your software input level control so that it is 3/4 of the way up. Adjust your mixer output accordingly for proper level indications in your software. The excessive "hiss" you are speaking of is probably due to the problem I mentioned above. Of course the microphone input on the sound card should be avoided.

Happy tracking
Remy Ann David

RemyRAD Mon, 01/16/2006 - 18:21

Are you speaking of the line input on your mixer or your sound card? 1/4" or 1/8" plug/Jack? RCA?

The 1/8" plugs and jacks are really quite awful and unreliable. I have also noted that the Radio Shaft variety are not of the same diameter as those made by Switchcraft, Neutric, etc., the good stuff.

Not that this suggestion is a very hygienic one.... Try licking the plug, (make sure you are not grounded and the device it is not on) then insert it into the Jack and twist it clockwise and counterclockwise a few times. See if that helps?

In the end, you may be the happy owner of a failed Jack in a crappy soundcard. Sorry. I have personally had way too many problems with these way too small plugs and jacks.

R my nn Dav d

Look I'm having the same trouble here!

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