Karaoke Forums

i have just purchaed new lap top to run my karaoke program now have problem of humming noise coming thru my system figure it could be an earth leakage
or something of that nature any one know how to get rid of it
have gig this friday would like to fix prior

are you running audio through the headpnone jack?? You need an audio interface so that you don't pick up the fan noise from your laptop. I know of a good one, run you about $30

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Good music, good friends, howling good times!

If you are using the power cord for your laptop and it has a 3 prong plug all you need to do is "lift the ground" with a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter (about $0.75 at any hardware store)

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

I've been using them for over 5 years, ever since I started using a computer for music.....never a problem......some people say thay are unsafe, but then I ask....why do they sell them, then? I bought a $200 Furman Power conditioner, and it "does nothing" for the Ground Loup noise.
Use your computer without the ac power(on battery power only), and see if it doesn't buzz in that situation.
I must admit, I've read that, the amperage from a usb port is enough to kill you...

Its the fan noise in all likelihood.

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Good music, good friends, howling good times!

It sounds like you are getting a DC hum. I run karaoke with a laptop using compuhost, and I do not get that noise. However, I am properly grounded. There are "zappers" out there. Some work, most do not.

You may need to test a few to find the ones that will work for you, I would start with a better audio cable from your headphone jack to your mixer. Try and stay away from video cable tho.

TC
ProHost Karaoke.com

Because there are places that only have the original 2 prong plugs in which you get a 3 prong adapter, that little metal tab that you most likely bend out of the way is supposed to be screwed to the socket plate on the wall giving the 3rd ground - theorhetically keeping the ground plug in tact! THAT is why they were created & sold.
It was never meant to eliminate the ground entirely.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Excellent point, never saw one with a warning, though, and... never actually saw anybody actually hook up the the ground to plate.......never had or heard of a problem, but you are absolutely right, that is the correct way to hook it up, which would not relieve the GLP.........but knowingly, using it incorrectly, being the dummy that I am....... sure works great........

While lifting the ground as described in my post above does work I also agree with Lonman that it may not be the best way to do this, that is why I use the below:

http://www.ebtechaudio.com/humxdes.html

which Lonman had reccomended a while back.

Workes great! No hum!

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

Many laptop sound cards pickup noise from the hard drive motor (usually mounted very nearby). With headphone volume levels it's not noticeable, but once you plug it into a highly amplified PA system, it becomes quite audible. The best solution would be the external sound card as suggested. I find it unlikely that you'd get a ground loop through the laptop's power supply all the way to the sound card. It's possible but very unlikely give the transformer and such that all would serve to isolate the ground.

If it is a ground loop, before you go and use a "ground lift" try just plugging all your equipment into the same electrical source. Ground loops occur when there are two separate paths to ground in the same system and they have different resistances. The difference in potential causes a current through the connections which is what causes that 60 Hz hum. Remember, ground connections exist for your safety so bypassing them is not the ideal solution.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I see plastic bags, with warnings "do not to put over you head", shampoos reading, "do not use internally", hair dryers, with attached to the cord, "do not use in bathtub or shower", and all sorts of products with unbelievably stupid warnings, but I've seen the adapters sold in hardware stores, out of a bin that looks like a plastic pickle jar.......3 for $1..... no warning lables.... I was an Ironworker in a steel mill for 30 years, working alongside carpenters, pipefitters, and even electricians, among other crafts. Being 55 years old, I've used, and seen used, this adapter in and out of the mill for almost 50 years. Years ago, going from 3 prongs to 2, was a common need, and never once, did I, or ever see anyone actually ground the adapter. I've never seen, heard of, or read and injury or damage attributted to the use of an ungrounded adapter........I did state.....some people feel these are unsafe...of which, I am not one of those people......
If using it resulted in you getting shocked, though.......I would say the feeling would be..............." Six Flags!" .... .....

I love the case of the Swedish company wanting to move their products to market in the U.S. They were concerned about product liability suits, and looked at what other similar (tool) manufacturers were doing. Finally they came up with this rule that they added to all warning sheets:

9. This product not designed to be used by stupid people.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

must mean me..... ....as I've said before, I'm just a dummy, but.......

Use the adaptor. I was using the headphone out for my sound before I switched. It didn't hum once I used the adaptor.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]