Daveflyer Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Hi, I use a Mackie desk with a pair of powered Wharfdale speakers (I know ;) ) to run vocals for my rock band, however whenever anybody turns on anything electrical we get a popping sound through the speakers, this normaly isnt a problem (we make sure we turn the speakers on last) we have just purchased a smoke machine and footswitch strobe light and everytime I push the button for smoke or step on the foot switch for strobe the speakers pop. We use a surge protector on all our equipment and have tried running the equipment in seperate plug sockets at the other end of the room just to try and find a solution but as yet have found nothing, any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niall Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 are you running balanced or unbalanced cables to the speakers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveflyer Posted January 8, 2007 Author Share Posted January 8, 2007 Ive used both, is there a preferance for sorting this problem out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkPAman Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Yes, always use balanced. :D Though it may not be the answer to your popping problem. ;) Try without the smoke machine plugged in.Then try without the strobe.This may help sort out what is causing the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieR Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Sound like a poor quality PSU in one of your bits of audio kit - most likely the Wharfdale speakers. Nothing much you can do other than replace it or take the matter up with the manufacturer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveflyer Posted January 8, 2007 Author Share Posted January 8, 2007 Hey man, cheers for that, Balanced from now on. Ive just checked with both and the popping happens with each separately, it also happened when I switched my PAR lights on and whin I switched the guitar amp on. ;) Sound like a poor quality PSU in one of your bits of audio kit - most likely the Wharfdale speakers. Nothing much you can do other than replace it or take the matter up with the manufacturer. Whats PSU "Sorry Im not a tech Im a drummer :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkPAman Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Power supply unit. OK, if you listen to the desk with headphones does it pop? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveflyer Posted January 8, 2007 Author Share Posted January 8, 2007 Good point I'll check that out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesperrett Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Power supply unit. OK, if you listen to the desk with headphones does it pop? Also - try disconnecting the signal lead from the speakers, turn the volume right down and then see if you can still hear the popping. It may also be worth checking that there is proper switch suppression on the things causing the pops. I would also think about having the mains earth wiring checked - if this has come adrift or is making poor contact then most filtering will be useless as there will be no path to ground for the filters to send the interfering signals. Cheers James. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunk_1984 Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Just to add... this happens to my desktop speakers. I DON'T NEED AN ANSWER I KNOW WHY!! . but this happens when one of the 12v desklamps are switched off, these have a large magnet/transformer in them, and turning this off is what causes the sound, it has also been known from my brothers lamp down the hall... but thats just a point if one of your units transformers could be causing the pop by being near your Amp... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 jamesperret's suggestion of trying this with the speakers powered up but the signal leads disconnected is a good on...this should isolate whether the problem is interference with the signal or something on the electrical supply. I have to say, since its a wide variety of things all causing pops, my money is on an electrical problem. An expedient (if not elegant) solution may well be to find a separate supply for all the non-audio equipment. This, however, can be more difficult than it sounds since there's a good chance a whole room (or even floor) may be on the same supply...you may need to run an extension lead (of sufficient capacity) to another room or floor of the building. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lamplighter Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 JustinPopping heard on audio equipment is often related to its lack of immunity to radio signals. The previous suggestions re leads and power source are all useful moves. If the problem occurs with the signal led removed then the problem is with the mains input and may be conducted from source or just picked up on the mains lead locally. If another mains supply is not available, try fitting an extension lead of about 10m loosely bundled, this often does the trick. If removing the signal lead clears the problem then observe if the position of the gain/volume control affects the level of the popping. Worse at low gain settings points to signals entering via the output stage feedback loop often picked up on the speaker leads, though powered speakers are not usually prone to this. If the problem is worse at higher volume settings monitor the desk output on headphones to see if the problem is with the desk or amplifier. When you have tried all that has been suggested come back and let us know how you are getting on. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveflyer Posted January 8, 2007 Author Share Posted January 8, 2007 Thanks Alot , Ive got a practice on Wednesday so I'll give all of those things a try and get back to you, lets hope I come back with a solution. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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