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Random Static - Help!

I recently started recording our podcast (Manic Mommies) using my new MacBook Pro. After 30ish minutes, a line of static appears in the audio stream (I can hear it when monitoring the recording and GarageBand records it). The static is really terrible and makes the recording unusable. I figured out that if I quit GarageBand the static would stop. I can then restart GB and record for another 15 minutes (give or take) before it starts again.

The first time it happened I was using an older version of GB. The second time I had upgraded to the latest and greatest version.

The static can also be heard by others (say we're recording a Skype call). I don't think it's the microphones, because they are working fine on my co-hosts machine. I'm just not sure what is causing the static - is it related to GarageBand or the laptop.

Help! I'm so frustrated, I have to go use my old laptop to record this week's show since I can't be sure of the content!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Sep 13, 2007 7:08 AM

Reply
138 replies

Sep 13, 2007 8:16 AM in response to Christopher Penn

Hi Christopher!

I'm using the Musician's Friend podcasting kit for two and never had to make any adjustments to settings, etc. My power supplies are grounded (not sure about line conditioning). I do often have to run AudioHijack and Skype at the same time - but that was never a problem before.

This is what happens when you let amateurs produce content. : )

Sep 13, 2007 8:18 AM in response to HangTime

It's pretty close to the computer (everything is on one tabletop together). I actually thought the static might be the computer's harddrive (which is SOOO loud) but it isn't.

This is our rig:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Musicians-Friend-Podcasting-Production-Ki t-3-PC?sku=247507

I did replace the cables a couple of months ago with higher quality (we were having a problem with buzzing).

Sep 13, 2007 8:26 AM in response to ManicMommies

It's pretty close to the computer (everything is on one tabletop together). I actually thought the static might be the computer's harddrive (which is SOOO loud) but it isn't.


how are you determining that it's not? i would wonder about the computer's fans, the machine might be heating up enough in that time for them to kick in, and those condenser mics are very sensitive to vibrations

i might have some other things to try, but i'd like to hear how you reached your conclusion first.

Sep 13, 2007 6:15 PM in response to ManicMommies

You know, I am having a similar problem. I have been recording a podcast fro two years using a PowerBook G4. I just got a new MacBook and now I am having terrible static when recording. I have read some posts that like it to the proximity of the USB/Power supply/ariport, but I don't know what the deal is. One place even said to use the usb port on the other side of the computer. The pain is it is inconsistant. I thought it might be the mixer, but now I'm suspecting the machine. right now I testing to see if I can track it down. Ideas would be welcome

Sep 25, 2007 1:49 PM in response to Croslamard

Such a relief that i'm not losing my mind. I've been trying to pinpoint the problem - I thought it was GarageBand, but then when I recorded with Audio Hijack Pro, the static came back - quickly. So now I think it's a combination of the rig and the mixer. My bandaid is that we're recording on the old laptop, then I transfer it over to the new laptop for mixing. Pain in the butt. If i figure it out I will tell you.

Sep 28, 2007 3:17 AM in response to ManicMommies

It turns out the static is not random. After spending ridiculous amounts of time on this, I have traced the problem to the MacBook Pro ac power. Howevever, I'm not sure it the culprit is that actual power supply or the ac adapter. If I record on battery only, there is no noise. If I am plugged in - the noise appears. My theory is that the random character of the noise may have something to do with the power managment system. Is is not true that the MBP draws ac power only when the battery charge falls below a certain level? Could it be that the noise appears only at the point when that happens, in my case three to ten minutes into a recording?

What I want to know is 1) Is this a general MBP issue, 2) a problem uniquely caused by the interaction of my MBP and the Alesis mixer, or 3) a repairable probem with my power supply and or ac adapter.

Sep 30, 2007 10:31 PM in response to Croslamard

See, I think it is random... or at least so far as I can tell. My MacBook pro (15" Core 2 Duo) with an Alesis USB 8 mixer is producing HUGE amounts of static-y noise (creating unusable recordings) but only sometimes. Doesn't matter which USB port I use, or whether the MacBook is connected to power or not...

It was never a problem on my PowerBook G4

Extremely frustrating. I've resulted to going out of my mixer's RCA tape outs to a mini-plug into the Audio Line in, which works, but is a bit noisy.

It's gotta be a USB problem... or is it an Alesis mixer problem?

Oct 3, 2007 6:45 AM in response to Jeff Curto

Hmm, I'll have to see if it actually does come back without the power source. (I have done extensive testing with it unplugged) Some guy in another thread said this was an "earth loop" issue. I have not really had time to dig in to this either. I have called Alesis, maybe you should too. It could be their hardware. It it were a generalized USB problem it should happen with other USB mics, but, at least in my case, it doesn't. I have done test recordings with a cheap usb headset/mic with no noise at all.

Random Static - Help!

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