If you notice a 'buzzing' sound coming from you speaker, there are a few ways you can rectify the issue.
The first thing you want to do is identify and isolate the problem. For example, if the buzzing gets louder when you turn up channel three, but is not buzzing at all when channel three is turned all the way down, then we know the buzz is being caused from channel three's output. If the buzzing is going up and down when only the master volume is being toggled, then we know the problem is being caused from the mixing board itself.
Typically, the buzz can be identified from the channel which the laptop is being played from. If this is the case, try these few steps:
1. Make sure a grounding adaptor is plugged onto the laptop's power source. (Buzzing)
Abnormal audio noise can be caused by a 'ground loop'. This means two or more pieces of electrical equipment in the system have an electrical connection with a small difference in electrical potential between the ground points. This creates a small electrical current which can cause unwanted voltage on the audio signals, resulting in signal interference. (Source)
When a grounding adaptor is added to the laptop's power source, it lifts the ground of the laptop's connection and eliminates the difference between the system's ground points. This should stop the buzz.
2. Turn the computer's volume down to about 75% (Hissing)
If you turn a speaker up as high as it will go, but there is no sound coming out of it, you can expect to hear some hissing, right? This is exactly the case with our laptops. If they are turned up as loud as they can possibly go, they will hiss. There is a 'noise floor' with the audio in the laptops, if they are turned up close to the audio system's maximum range, you will hear it. This is normal.
If you turn it down to around 75%, it should prevent any hissing coming from the laptop's channel.
3. If You Are Still Having Problems:
Turn down the channel that is causing the buzzing/hissing issue and turn other volume channels up. Example, if the buzzing is coming from channel three's computer, turn channel three's volume down, but turn up the master volume and the volume knobs on the speakers.
Of course, this isn't ideal, but it is an easy way to reduce the hissing and buzzing.
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This is something we're learning more and more about now that we've gotten the new laptops. The biggest culprit has been a missing grounding adaptor on the laptop's power source, but isn't exclusively the reason a speaker could be buzzing. If you continue to have problems and have tried the above steps, mention it in your show report and/or email me asking for a different system. I'll do the best I can to take a look at it and figure out why you're having problems. If I cannot find the solution, we will get you a different system.
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