What a Difference an Outlet Makes.

steveb63

steveb63

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Since moving into our home approx. six years ago, I've had noisy power.

I haven't done much to mitigate this issue, just learned to live with it. Some of my fixes are the usual, turn off monitors, cell phones, turn off florescent lights etc..

Now that I'm neck deep into recording it has really started bothering me.

Today I spent some money on good extension cord, and ran all my gear to one outlet. Said outlet also is used by my p.c.

I'm sure everyone knows where this is going, a huge difference.

Noise floor before simple fix was around a whopping -20 +/- d.b. Just using the other out let it has lowered to a livable -6-10 d.b.

I am stoked! Was expecting the usual routine of throwing money at a problem I've obsessed over, to only fix halfway. Not this time.

Easy fix folks, if you're having noise issues, at least try it. Total cost to fix my noisy floor, approx. $20.

Yahoo, beers are on me, everybody grab one.
 
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Having things organized on a circuit, or circuits, tied to ground properly is key to quiet power. I have two 20 amp circuits in the studio that were set up apart from the rest of the house, and solidly wired. One takes the burden of the recording gear, and the other handles amps. Lighting is on a separate circuit…no fluorescent, or LED, or dimmers. My noise floor is really low.
This is one reason that I like battery run tablets for recording…zero hum from the recording gear…no fans…nothing.
 
Thatbastarddon said:
Having things organized on a circuit, or circuits, tied to ground properly is key to quiet power. I have two 20 amp circuits in the studio that were set up apart from the rest of the house, and solidly wired. One takes the burden of the recording gear, and the other handles amps. Lighting is on a separate circuit…no fluorescent, or LED, or dimmers. My noise floor is really low.
This is one reason that I like battery run tablets for recording…zero hum from the recording gear…no fans…nothing.
Click to expand...
This outlet that seems to be quiet has only amps, computer, pedals.

Definitely no lighting, phone chargers etc...

For now, it will be fine. I am, for sure, going to have my friend wire me a couple of dedicated outlets. He should be visiting in Nov.

I'll fish tape and drop the wires, he can mess with the box!

I'm just sooo happy not to be chasing windmills right now.
 
steveb63 said:
This outlet that seems to be quiet has only amps, computer, pedals.

Definitely no lighting, phone chargers etc...

For now, it will be fine. I am, for sure, going to have my friend wire me a couple of dedicated outlets. He should be visiting in Nov.

I'll fish tape and drop the wires, he can mess with the box!

I'm just sooo happy not to be chasing windmills right now.
Click to expand...
It was the first thing I had done to my place here. My old place didn't present the opportunity…it would have been too costly, and consuming.
 
steveb63 said:
Today I spent some money on good extension cord, and ran all my gear to one outlet. Said outlet also is used by my p.c.

I'm sure everyone knows where this is going, a huge difference.

Noise floor before simple fix was around a whopping -20 +/- d.b. Just using the other out let it has lowered to a livable -6-10 d.b.
Click to expand...

Classic example of a ground loop fixed with a (literal) textbook solution.

Well done!
 
Invest in an outlet tester.
It tells you if the wiring is correct, and checks if there is a ground.
Good thing to carry in a guitar case.
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However there is such thing as bad power to start with...a normal "power conditioner" will not fix this.

We have a power problem right now in this town.
There is a high frequency harmonic in the electricity, and it bleeds into amps and effects pedals.
A constant 12 Khz whine in the audio.
A total pain........not even my lab power supplies can filter it out.
Expensive effects 9 volt isolated power supplies do not filter it out.
Power line normal filters do not work either.

We're going to need some type of custom low pass power filter to get rid of the noise.

And the noise is everywhere:
In the music store, at the other side of town in billy's guitar amp,,,,

But I have seen power problems worse than that. :eek:
 
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:beers:

buuuurp. Thx.

Congrats on your newfound path through life. Noisy power is no small issue and should be thought of as such. I bid you best wishes as you now move forward from a new beginning into the great over yonder. You really have found your pot of gold.

:cheers:
 
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