Technical questions for the MPC2000xl and the MPC2000
By Baru Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:15 am
My problem is a low hum eminating from my speakers every time I connect my MPC2000 sampler to my audio interface.

My setup consists of the MPC2000, a Dj Mixer, and my laptop which has an M-Audio interface which I use to connect the mixer & MPC. Basically, as soon as I remove the cables that connect my MPC or my mixer to my interface, the hum stops. I've tried different cables, new cables, a ground adapter for the MPC to change it to 2 prong, and nothing helps. The only thing that DOESN'T cause this hum when plugged into my interface, is my keyboard, so i'm quite sure the interface itself isn't the problem.

Does anyone know what might be causing this interference that's resulting in a hum? I have exhausted all my own theories and am desperate for some sort of help! Many thanks in advance!!!

By RE:Birth Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:56 pm
what kind of mixer do you have, and have you checked the connection to that as yet?
By Baru Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:01 pm
Baru wrote:My problem is a low hum eminating from my speakers every time I connect my MPC2000 sampler to my audio interface.

My setup consists of the MPC2000, a Dj Mixer, and my laptop which has an M-Audio interface which I use to connect the mixer & MPC. Basically, as soon as I remove the cables that connect my MPC or my mixer to my interface, the hum stops. I've tried different cables, new cables, a ground adapter for the MPC to change it to 2 prong, and nothing helps. The only thing that DOESN'T cause this hum when plugged into my interface, is my keyboard, so i'm quite sure the interface itself isn't the problem.

Does anyone know what might be causing this interference that's resulting in a hum? I have exhausted all my own theories and am desperate for some sort of help! Many thanks in advance!!!
A Numark, and the mixer works fine (no hum) when it's connected on its own, but as soon as the MPC is hooked up, hum is back.

By korce Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:15 pm
Sounds like you might have a ground loop? Though the fact that you tried a 2 prong cable for the mpc and it still didn't work is odd.

Are all of your various pieces of audio equipment plugged into the same powerbar/surge protector that is plugged into one outlet on the wall? From what I understand this is the best way to get rid of a ground loop...

If everything is plugged into different outlets then that could be the cause of your problem...
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By dgny Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:18 pm
is the connection balanced?

I have a 2kxl and when i used unbalanced cables i got a hum.

By Baru Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:43 am
korce wrote:Sounds like you might have a ground loop? Though the fact that you tried a 2 prong cable for the mpc and it still didn't work is odd.

Are all of your various pieces of audio equipment plugged into the same powerbar/surge protector that is plugged into one outlet on the wall? From what I understand this is the best way to get rid of a ground loop...

If everything is plugged into different outlets then that could be the cause of your problem...
Yeah, all my audio is in the same surge protecter

dgny - thanks for the reply - excuse my ignorance, but what do you mean by balanced?
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By dgny Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:08 am
Baru wrote:
korce wrote:Sounds like you might have a ground loop? Though the fact that you tried a 2 prong cable for the mpc and it still didn't work is odd.

Are all of your various pieces of audio equipment plugged into the same powerbar/surge protector that is plugged into one outlet on the wall? From what I understand this is the best way to get rid of a ground loop...

If everything is plugged into different outlets then that could be the cause of your problem...
Yeah, all my audio is in the same surge protecter

dgny - thanks for the reply - excuse my ignorance, but what do you mean by balanced?


The TRS "Tip-ring-sleeve" cable (2-conductor plus ground) This is a cable for balanced signals. Note that TRS cables are typically used for mono, not stereo, signals in most studio gear.
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The TS "Tip-sleeve" cable (2 conductor "phone jack") This cable is for unbalanced signals. These cables should be kept as short as possible. Keep them under 12 feet and away from power transformers (wall warts) or they may pick up dreaded hum and ruin your audio signal.
Image

information and pics courtesy of http://www.tweakheadz.com/

By korce Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:27 pm
dgny wrote:is the connection balanced?

I have a 2kxl and when i used unbalanced cables i got a hum.


Odd...the output from the MPC 2KXL is unbalanced. I use unbalanced cables and it works fine. I thought that if you used TRS cables with an unbalanced connection you'd end up with noise...

If the inputs on his mixer are balanced he may want to try getting/making some cables that are TS at one end (For the MP) and TRS (or XLR) at the other end (to plug into the mixer and help with noise)

check this out:

http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/conne ... -mono.html
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By thai-stick Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:52 pm
problem solved?
if not, can you tell me if you use the mpc in left mixer channel and computer in the right, so you can switch with the crossfader?(or other way round)
need some more info on the setup to help

By rondiesel Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:36 pm
im having the same problem

except its my asr-10

i have the headphone jack on my asr-10 hooked into the line-in port on my pc

speakers are connected to the headphone jack on the computer

never had the problem before so im not sure what it is

asr-10 is plugged into a different outlet than the speakers

By rondiesel Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:52 pm
if u have satellite tv in ur studio it can **** with u

i just played around with which outlets i had everything plugged into

peace