xpirex
Level 1 (10 points)

Q: Macbook Pro and Yamaha Monitor noise problem

Hi folks..

 

I have a Macbook Pro (2011) plugged in to 2 Yamaha Powerd Studio Monitors and they sound just superb.

 

Untill I plug my external drive in that is. Soon as I do the monitors suddendly pick up and transmit every single sound of the external

drive. I hear it booting up.. the internal disk spinning and gaining speed.. all the mechanical components and electrical processes that

take place in booting up an eternal drive are amplified massively through the 70 watt monitors. It's so loud that I have to unplug them

or disconnect the drive..

 

I can not use the monitors and the external drive at the same time!!

 

How bizzare is that?

 

Anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing this?

 

Thanks..

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Nov 13, 2013 12:37 PM

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Q: Macbook Pro and Yamaha Monitor noise problem

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Wound,

    Wound Wound Nov 18, 2013 6:28 PM in response to xpirex
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 18, 2013 6:28 PM in response to xpirex

    At a guess,

     

    1- class interference from drive.

    2- grounding issues (mains shared).

    3- and audio leads near or touching hard drive/monitor cables/mains leads.

     

    Sorry if this us useless to you.

  • by xpirex,

    xpirex xpirex Nov 18, 2013 6:51 PM in response to Wound
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Nov 18, 2013 6:51 PM in response to Wound

    Hi Wound..

     

    Definitely not the 3rd option.

     

    Not sure about grouning issues on the mains but I also have electric guitars all plugged into to amps in the same room and they are all silent.

     

    Not sure what class interference is.

  • by Wound,

    Wound Wound Nov 19, 2013 3:08 AM in response to xpirex
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 19, 2013 3:08 AM in response to xpirex

    Class A interference...sorry typo.

     

    I don't know my class A from my class B but class A I believe is a very disruptive device that has a powerful focused and large magnetic field...lasers in CD players are class A I think. Hard drives too I believe. I tried to find an online explanation for myself and couldn't haha.

     

    Guitar passive pickups can hear class A when pointed towards the computer.

     

    In all honesty, I don't think that's the problem (was thinking possibly magnets in speakers or transformer of monitors) by moving them away it would get quieter...but was trying to brainstorm incase it struck a chord with you.

     

    Bad wiring in cables could be an issue regarding grounding...

  • by xpirex,

    xpirex xpirex Nov 19, 2013 2:12 PM in response to Wound
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Nov 19, 2013 2:12 PM in response to Wound

    Thanks again for the reply.

     

    The speakers are over 6 feet away from the external drive when it makes that awful noise.

     

    Not sure how bad wiring can exist. They are all brand new cables that work fine in any other situation

     

    I put the plugged in electric guitar pick ups right up against the laptop and then the speaker cones, again all totally silent.

  • by kk_guitar,

    kk_guitar kk_guitar Nov 24, 2013 3:10 PM in response to xpirex
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 3:10 PM in response to xpirex

    I have same issue.  What kind of external drive?  Glyph GT050Q's were known to cause issues. 

     

    My yamaha powered monitors seem to pick up macbook pro's internal drive too...  not as bad as external drive noise, but still not good.  Did you find a fix?

  • by xpirex,

    xpirex xpirex Nov 24, 2013 4:41 PM in response to kk_guitar
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 4:41 PM in response to kk_guitar

    Hi kk,

     

    My drive is a Maxtor 3 terrabyte external drive and no I have not found a solution.. I just can't have it plugged in when doing anything with the monitors..