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Mystery distortion issue

jivemofo, modified 7 Years ago.

Mystery distortion issue

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 3/9/14 Recent Posts
I've got the 5040A Subwoofer with a pair of 6010A Loudspeakers. I've got my laptop going to one input and a turntable going through a mixer in another input. My problem seems to have started when I started using my new Rane MP2014 mixer. With both inputs in I'm getting this weird crackling distortion coming through the speakers. If I unplug one or the other there's no distortion at all.

Does anyone have any ideas on why this might be happening? Someone suggested it may be because the mixer is XLR to RCA and that getting an audio interface like a Lexicon I042 should solve the problem. Does that seem like a reasonable idea?

Thank you in advance!
Tim
ilkka-rissanen, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Hi Tim,

Could you be more specific, which inputs are you using? Are you using the subwoofer's volume control to adjust the system volume?

In some cases the output voltage of the mixer is too high and it causes clipping within the subwoofer's electronics.
jivemofo, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 3/9/14 Recent Posts
Sure. I'm using 3.5mm - 3.5mm into the Front Stereo In for my laptop and the Front L and R for my turntable via Rane mixer.

The output is the Front L and R also...
ilkka-rissanen, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Ok, but are you using the subwoofer's volume controller at all (plugged to another 3.5mm jack)?
jivemofo, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 3/9/14 Recent Posts
No...I don't use that. Nothing is plugged in there.
jivemofo, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 3/9/14 Recent Posts
Also, I've replaced and upgraded all cables. The noise sounds to me like digital gurgling...for what that's worth :)

And it persists even if the mixer is turned off and my laptop is muted.
ilkka-rissanen, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Could you possibly record a short video clip of the sound? Have you tried unplugging the laptop charger from the mains? Sometimes it can cause this type of noise.
jivemofo, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 3/9/14 Recent Posts
Could you possibly record a short video clip of the sound? Have you tried unplugging the laptop charger from the mains? Sometimes it can cause this type of noise.



I don't think I know how do to that..

Unplugging the charger didn't help unfortunately.
ilkka-rissanen, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts

I don't think I know how do to that..

Most modern mobile phones can record high quality video.
jivemofo, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 3/9/14 Recent Posts

I don't think I know how do to that..

Most modern mobile phones can record high quality video.


OK here's a short clip
jivemofo, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 3/9/14 Recent Posts

I don't think I know how do to that..

Most modern mobile phones can record high quality video.


OK here's a short clip




The file doesn't seem to be uploading for some reason...
ilkka-rissanen, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
You need to use some external video/file service because our board software does not allow such large attachments.
jivemofo, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 3/9/14 Recent Posts
You need to use some external video/file service because our board software does not allow such large attachments.



OK...I'm sorry for the delay. Here's that video clip uploaded to Dropbox:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/873 ... G_9790.m4v
ilkka-rissanen, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Thank you for the video. Unfortunately the root cause for the noise is still a mystery. Combination of the laptop and the mixer just doesn't seem to work. Is it possible to unplug the other while using the other? That is the best solution I can think of now.
jivemofo, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 3/9/14 Recent Posts
So I was talking to a pro audio friend of mine regarding this issue and he had this to say:

The Rane MP2014 support sample rates of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, or 96 kHz. The speakers should match sample rates (44.1k, 48k, 96k). If they can't match 48k and 96k should be used together as it is a mathematical doubling of rate.

If we can't get the results desired by adjusting clock settings on the existing equipment and using good cables this model from Mutec should take care of the issue.

http://mutec-net.com/product_mc-11-plus.php



Does this sound reasonable? Are the mixer and speakers just not compatible perhaps?
ilkka-rissanen, modified 7 Years ago.

Re: Mystery distortion issue

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Hi,

Unfortunately it does not sound reasonable at all. 6010 and 5040 are pure analog loudspeakers, they work with analog signals while the sample rate issue is a digital signal issue. If there are any sample rate issues, they happen earlier in the signal chain, before the last D/A conversion.
nim, modified 5 Years ago.

RE: Re: Mystery distortion issue

Youngling Posts: 1 Join Date: 9/25/18 Recent Posts

Hello,

I have observed that The Rane MP2014 rates of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, or 96 kHz. The speakers should match sample rates (44.1k, 48k, 96k). If they it can match 48k and 96k  it would be great. By the way, if you got any problem with canon try Canon Customer Service,