Static sound when turning on audio interface

Question

Level 1

59 points

Static sound when turning on audio interface

Hi,

I have a weird problem. I own a Behringer X1222 USB interface, where my 2 synths are connected to. This interface is connected to a USB to USB-C hub.

The 2 synths are also connected over USB to this USB hub.

When I have both synths (or just one) and the interface on I hear a static sound when Logic is active. If I disconnect the USB cable from the synths I don't hear the static sound.

I'm not sure if it's the USB hub, the USB cables or the interface that's causing this.

I changed the audio input setting in Logic to be the internal microphone instead of the interface and the static stopped. So probably something is causing the interface to generate static?

Hope anyone can help me with this.

Posted on Nov 17, 2020 7:08 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Iaamusic

Level 4

1,420 points

Nov 18, 2020 12:47 AM in response to Taxxodium

Don’t use a hub for your interface.

Reply

Answer 2

yoyoBen

Level 4

3,457 points

Nov 18, 2020 2:10 AM in response to Eriksimon

...and sometimes it's a power issue. Unplug the power cable of your laptop, if you use one.

Reply

Answer 3

Taxxodium Author

Level 1

59 points

Nov 18, 2020 12:49 PM in response to Taxxodium

Got rid of my static noise issue, but this setup is not the best.

Synths connected to the X1222 USB Mixer
Mixer's out is connected my Steinberg UR22mkII audio interface
Steinberg audio interface is connected to my MacBook Pro and is used in Logic

Not sure why, but I think the mixers USB cable or connection is prone to static when other devices are connected on the same hub.

Reply

Answer 4

Taxxodium Author

Level 1

59 points

Nov 18, 2020 7:55 AM in response to Eriksimon

Well it's not the power supply from both the Mac and the hub.

I have 2 hubs, a 7 USB port IN and USB OUT (calling it Hub1) and a 3 USB port IN and USB-C out (calling it Hub2). I need this because my MacBook Pro only has USB-C ports.

Step 1:

connected just the interface to Hub2 -> no static
connected either of the 2 synths and the interface to Hub2 -> static
connected both synths and the interface to Hub2 -> static
connected just the interface to Hub1 (connecting Hub1 to Hub2) -> no static
connected either of the 2 synths and the interface to Hub1 (connecting Hub1 to Hub2) -> static
connected both synths and the interface to Hub1 (connecting Hub1 to Hub2) -> static

However, when both synths are connected to either one of the Hubs but Logic is NOT active, I hear no static. I could play on the keyboards without any issue.

As soon as I launch Logic (and the interface is selected as both Input and Output Device) I hear static.

Another thing I noticed is that static only happens when I select my interface as Input Device in Logic.

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.

Reply

Answer 5

Eriksimon

Level 6

15,428 points

Nov 18, 2020 1:32 AM in response to Taxxodium

So what if you connect the synths without the hub? Do you get it when:

Synth 1 and the interface are connected directly?
synth 2 and the interface are connected directly?
Only the two synths are connected?

If any of those combi's do also give this sound, at least you know it is not the hub.

Reply

Answer 6

Taxxodium Author

Level 1

59 points

Nov 18, 2020 9:54 AM in response to Taxxodium

Well I did something interesting.

I had another audio interface around and what I did is keep the synths connected to the X1222, but the output from that interface I connected to my Steinberg audio interface. Then the Steinberg interface I connected to my MacBook Pro and guess what? NO STATIC.

I'm guessing the X1222 doesn't like being connected to USB while other equipment is connected as well. Or maybe the cable is not shielded correctly?

It's overkill but it kinda works now. Obviously if I can get the static from the X1222 gone that would be awesome.

Reply

Answer 7

Taxxodium Author

Level 1

59 points

Nov 17, 2020 7:31 PM in response to Taxxodium

This is what it sounds like: https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0R8-vXsMiVHT5EFmsVRT7GRAA#static

Reply

Static sound when turning on audio interface

Similar questions