Strange sounds when i link to my laptop

Hi All,

\i got a new Sony Vaio laptop today and have been trying to sample from a cd i was playing through it via the record function. Basically a small i think its 3.5 audio out headphone socket on the laptop via the left and right record jacks. Now for some reason i can hear the music being played in the reord mode but thbere is a load whiring sound like an old computer game loading sort of thing, and it is still present when you stop the cd playing. In factb the sound is present when i try to link via usb on the load page. Its there as soon as you plug the jack leads in or the usb there doesnt need to be any sound. Its even there when i mute the laptop?? Whats goiing wrong here? On my old sony vaio everything was crystal clear when played therough the mpc. Any ideas.?

thanks

James

i would say that what youre hearing is the hard drive spinning. i have the same problem with my external hd's. i never really had a problem with the internal hd though on my pc, and definatly have no problem with my macbook.

you might want to take it back and try to get a quieter computer if you are going to be doing any recording or sampling to/from your computer.

i have ruined entire recordings due to this and ground loops and didnt realize it until i started playing my ish on stage.

if your mind isnt set on using the sony, i would suggest spending a little more and copping a macbook. i am a recent convert myself. i always thought it was just hype, but my mac vs pc battle was decided the first day i brought this thing home.

and if you need windows you can get it for $99 and install it using bootcamp. i have both os' running on my ish and couldnt be happier.

if you dont want to change computers, maybe try moving the mpc away from the computer. actually, check to make sure that the sound is actually being recorded, maybe ou can only hear it through your monitors, which would be irritating, but better than ruining your samples.

Are you sure on that Ive just tried it with my mates Acer laptop and its the same problem. So does that mean I can sample direct from cd's and mp3s now. I just want to fully clarify that thats the problem. I Never had any problems like this with my older Vaio laptop. I can t really take it back as its a laptop from an insurance claim. It doesnt sound like a had spinning it sounds more like a digital wind if you know what i mean. Am i also screwed for recording my performance onto my laptop via sony acid aswell. Is there any other opinoins or advie out there? Thanks.
James!

are you using an interface??

No but i have a really cheap USB interface icould try. I have also i just tried linking the laptop via audio out head phone socket to my denon hifi amp and then from there to my record in on the MPC i use the amp to pre amp my turntable and afte a bit of tweaking its ok now crystal clear. Im just concerned about recording back trough now . I have not reinstalled Sony acid yet,. but will. Any ideas guys. It seems weird.

Sounds to me like the classic cheap computer audio ground loop problem. The fastest, safest and cheapest way to stop it is to use one of those radio shack stereo patch cord iso transformers. Or you could use a higher end iso like an Iface or somesuch. You could also get a real audio interface, but that costs money if it's for real. Low end interfaces like your average usb stereo in/out thingy won't be much better and may still require the iso transformer.

There might be a few computers outputs that are properly designed to connect to external audo gear, but as long as it's only advertised as a headphone out they can pretty much get as cheap as they want with that stuff.

Most laptops will do this no matter what interdace your using. You need to isolate the ground noise. The cheap fix (which is not recommended) is to use one of those adaptors that eliminate the 3rd prong on the plug. The better solution is to get yourself a power strip with some type of conditioner. I dont remember which one I had but it was a UPS with a conditioner and that eliminated all the noise when I had my dell laptop.

If it is a laptop it has battery power. No need to remove the earth pin on the plug, just unplug the mains and work off battery power. The only ground connection between MPC and laptop is via audio cable. No ground loop via AC mains because not connected. Job done.

dave_g wrote:If it is a laptop it has battery power. No need to remove the earth pin on the plug, just unplug the mains and work off battery power. The only ground connection between MPC and laptop is via audio cable. No ground loop via AC mains because not connected. Job done.

Yeah, but that's not very practical. It means he can only work for maybe 1 hour to 2 hours then go recharge. Best bet is to get a Ground Lift if you want to save money. If you have the money get a GOOD power conditioner, not something that's just a rackmount power bar.

dave_g wrote:If it is a laptop it has battery power. No need to remove the earth pin on the plug, just unplug the mains and work off battery power. The only ground connection between MPC and laptop is via audio cable. No ground loop via AC mains because not connected. Job done.

Yea thats a great 1 hour solution

Like I said you can verify 100% with a 99 cent adaptor and if it goes away get yourself a good conditioner.

Hey there peeps. Well thanks very much for that. At least I can get rid of the noise for a smalll. amount of time ( the time it takes me to take the sample.)I can then plug it back in when not connected.I'll defo get one of those plug things.
Wicked Advice Nice!

You can use the 3 to 2 ac adapter trick but be careful of stray currents. I've done it a few times myself and usually don't shock myself but it has happened.

I still say you are better off with the rat shack or similar ground loop iso transformer cord. They aren't that expensive and it's just a much safer setup.