Karaoke Forums

Naturally you go to where the advice is usually solid. At my present gig, I'm getting an un-godly hum from the system. I took all cables and replaced them, hooked it up at home, (what a pain) no hum. Got to the gig, hummed to death. I suggested a designated outlet for the power source. The owner ran a 100' extension through his suspended ceiling and I still have the hum. I KNOW it's not my system because this is the only place it happens. So......HELP!!!!!

_________________
It's a wonderful life!!

Are there any neon lights close by? Neon can interfere with your sound system.

_________________
You can be strange but not a stranger

Light dimmers will kill your sound, flourscent lights (the ballast part I think) also can cause problems. I you are running through the celing either of these may be causing the problem. Sometimes switching outlets can help, If you're looking at the circuit breaker panel, you may be on an outlet on say the right hand side, if you can try to find one on the left hand side, maybe that will help. Also, what kind of cables are you using? Balanced or unbalanced? Unbalanced are much more sucseptible to picking up noise and interference. If you are using unbalanced, try to keep them as short as possible and away from a/c lines, extension cords etc.

_________________
"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing about."
Benjamin Franklin

Well, did you ever see a Chinese Restaurant WITHOUT some kind of neon gadgetry!! Seriously, Ive played in various bars/clubs with DOZENS of neon signs and lighting and NEVER experienced the likes of this. The HUM isn't that noticeable when the music is playing and people are singing, BUT, I hear it, other people hear it AND, other KJ's have told the owner that it's his service, not my equipment. I'm concerned that this could possibly damage my equipment and would rather give up the gig than have to replace "various" articles. Sooooo.........HELP!!!!!!!

_________________
It's a wonderful life!!

I am not an expert but I would make sure that everything is plugged in to the same circuit. Try to run everything off the same outlet.

_________________
Patrick
Twinbrook Sound
Waltham, MA

try searching your pro audio store for a 'HUM ELIMINATOR" not sure how or if they work ...but they do sell them ...

Another source for something like that could be a bad or floating ground in the house wiring system. Maybe try a good size extension cord plugged into another outlet from a different breaker.

You may also try the ground lift switch on your amp. Sometimes this helps.

also use cables no longer than necesary. Coiling extra lengths of cable causes inductance (especially speaker cables) where there is current flowing.

If Cables need to be coiled, they should be laid in a figure-8 to miminize hum.

Start by unplugging things, (with the power amp and speakers being last... of course) to Isolate the source of the hum. maybe it is a component that is going bad. I once found my Effects processor being the culprit of an intermittent noise problem.


Just my .02

Michael and Sharon

_________________
IN-TYME KARAOKE Charlotte, NC
Just Sing Or Shut Up

Well, I got plenty of advice. Now I'm gonna try EVERYTHING that was suggested right now. Then if there's no hum here, then it's got to be the source at the club. I'll bring another 100' extension to be able to try other outlets and hope that cures the problem. Question.....can this HUM damage my equipment??!!!!

_________________
It's a wonderful life!!

we had a bad hum one time, and it was the bad ground at the VENUE's outlet...

Old school engineer way to get rid of a bad ground loop (hum), buy a $2 3 prong adapter & bend back the ground tab. Most likely this will get rid of the hum but isn't exactly the safest way - but will work for a quick fix - NOT a permanent one.
Ebtech HE8 Hum Eliminator should help you out. Most music stores/outlets should carry them.

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

Well, after checking out my system again at home, (naturally there was no hum) went to the club last night, still hum, but didn't seem to bother the patrons. Went non-stop from 9-1 with about 31 DIFFERENT singers. Not bad for the second night.
Thanks to all those that offered advice, and I think I'll invest in a AC eliminator for just this kind of situation in the future. I know they're fairly expensive, but I'm sure in the long run it'll more than pay for itself.
My deepest appreciation and thanks to all,
Donny "B"

_________________
It's a wonderful life!!

Donnie,
Get a receptical tester from your local hardware store, ($3-$5).
If the outlet's ground and a hot lead is reversed, the outlet will still have power and will still be able to light a lamp, but it would leave you very vunerable to a hum caused by other equipment on the line. It would, also, leave you vunerable to power surges, (lightning strikes).

Kojak

Hi Kojak,
Thanks for the input. That was the first thing I did when I checked out the club prior to the actual gig. The wiring itself is fine. Just too much "stuff" on that circuit. Until they decide to get a designated outlet for any/all their venues, this will be an ongoing situation.

Thanks again,

Donny "B"

_________________
It's a wonderful life!!