Prevent pop/crackling in monitors/speakers at PC (re)boot?

Discussion in 'Soundgear' started by tzzsmk, Apr 1, 2019.

  1. tzzsmk

    tzzsmk Audiosexual

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    Hello folks,

    having this minor inconvenience when working with audio,
    any startup/shutdown/reboot of PC/Mac (audio interface respectively) causes very loud pop/crackle in studio monitors,

    obvious solution to that is turn on monitors after the PC boots, turn them off before PC shuts down or reboots,

    BUT, is there any other solution to that?
    can anyone tell if something like Palmer PLI-02 line isolation box with transformers and also groundlift handle such issue?

    or rather something like Radial Engineering Sat-2 anyway?
    I don't need any fancy monitor controller of mediocre quality with mute switch either...

    thx in advance
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2019
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  3. MrLyannMusic

    MrLyannMusic Audiosexual

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    My 2nd Audio interface/mixer has on/off switch, i use it when shutting down my pc, or booting for that matter.
     
  4. rhythmatist

    rhythmatist Audiosexual

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    Turn off your monitors before you turn off your interface. How hard is that? Still just a couple switches. Turn your monitors off when doing just about any kind of connections, also. Just a good habit to have. Could save you a fried transducer or eardrum someday.
     
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  5. swavenation

    swavenation Kapellmeister

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    Someone correct me if im wrong, but i think you normally get this pop sound when you use audio interfaces that are bus powered.
     
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  6. dbmuzik

    dbmuzik Platinum Record

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    You didn't provide detail about what you're using, and how you have it connected.

    Do you have both your PC and your monitors plugged into a power conditioner.. or an outlet where you are using a single switch to power-on before you boot, and power-off after you shutdown?

    I'm just guessing that might be the case, and you're using an internal audio interface and don't feel like using the mouse to mute the global volume control prior to every time you shut down the PC.

    If you don't want an external controller for monitor volume, an independent power rack for your monitors, or a power rack with multiple on/off switches.. the solution is as you stated..
     
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  7. tzzsmk

    tzzsmk Audiosexual

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    I use RME HDSPe AIO (PCIexpress audio interface), balanced XLR analog cables (I had to unsolder ground wires though, because there is noise from PC during higher loads), monitors are Presonus Eris E8, all powered from one power hub into wall with own circuit breaker
     
  8. scrappy

    scrappy Platinum Record

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    yes, thumps and cracks are nasty for everyone which is why amps on last and off first has been the lore and law of amplified audio since forever and a day.
    sorry i can't be of any more help.
     
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  9. dbmuzik

    dbmuzik Platinum Record

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    You have a decent card. Given it's internal, a monitor controller would be a resourceful time saver for you, and not just for the power on/off issue. Not sure why you're not interested in having one. Another suggestion would be to get the affordable furman m-8x2 power conditioner for your monitors so they aren't using the outlet as directly with your PC, and you'd have an one easily accessible power switch for your monitors. For some reason they are currently selling for $30 more than the price used to be.

    I bought this power conditioner strictly for my monitors and any rackmount gear that has no built in power on/off switch. It looks ugly as a mofo.. but it allows me to add/remove those devices at the press of a fingertip as opposed to plugging/unplugging the hardware manually.

    https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PS900-Conditioner-Interference-Elimination/dp/B00IX04FDW
     
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  10. tzzsmk

    tzzsmk Audiosexual

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    I use old good Presonus Faderport (with little help of BOME MIDI Translator) as hardware controller for RME TotalMix FX directly, so no need for analog monitor controller;
    I don't use any power conditioner, will probably research more if it would do any good,
    regarding my original question, you'd still recommend manually switching the monitors? to be clear I have no obstructions regarding their placement to do so, just felt there could be some alternative to it..
     
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  11. wasgedn

    wasgedn Banned

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  12. Blue

    Blue Audiosexual

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    That's what I do everyday.
     
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  13. korte1975

    korte1975 Guest

    winner comment : turn down the freaking volume dammit
     
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  14. No Avenger

    No Avenger Moderator Staff Member

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    According to my experience this doesn't help, at all.
     
  15. dbmuzik

    dbmuzik Platinum Record

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    Yeah, I figured you're searching for a more simple alternative than having to switch each monitor on/off in the back. The easiest I've achieved is with the power conditioner I listed with the on/off buttons for the individual outlets.
     
  16. Lois Lane

    Lois Lane Audiosexual

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    Like mentioned earlier, just power down your monitors. Your's reminds me of a Bazooka Bubble Gum Comic which was one of my favorites.

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Ikagura

    Ikagura Producer

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    Can you provide more info on that? I'm experiencing the same issue with a pair of speakers I have at home and would like to know how to fix it.
     
  18. scrappy

    scrappy Platinum Record

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    just to add, ergonomically speaking, choosing passive monitors with a power amp generally means you only have one power switch that is probably more easily accessible than reaching around behind powered monitors and switching 'em individually in such reboot/startup situations.
    I know, i'm lazy... just sayin' is all.
    :winker:
     
  19. DJK

    DJK Rock Star

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    if you want to blow your monitors then keep them on when pc boots, always last on first off to avoid power spikes when pc boots,
     
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  20. Kwissbeats

    Kwissbeats Audiosexual

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    Ugh I haven’t turned my dynaudios off since I bought them.
    They do have a auto stand-by function.

    However the most likeley culprit is the bus power on your audio interface.

    You could look up the motherboard function for USB power always on, or buy an adapterfor your audio interface if that is a option.

    So I more or less disagree with everybody above, however slapping the dissagree button arround seems like a ‘uncool’ thing to do.
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2019
  21. wasgedn

    wasgedn Banned

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    do someone kno a euro version maybe
    ----------------------------------------------------
    is this no good...its nice to have individual power switches direct under monitor or laptop or small mixer or whatever
    -----------------------------------------------------

    do you guys have overvoltage protection on youre plugbar ?
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2019
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