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USB causing humming through speakers.

post #1 of 10
4/9/11 at 1:54pm
Thread Starter 

I have an Emu 0404 usb and whenever the usb is hooked up to any of the usb ports on the computer i get a hummming noise through the speakers. My speakers are Mackie mr5's

 

I tried using s/PDIF from my auzentech x-fi forte to my 0404 but that doesnt change anything. Do i have to use the usb cable along with the optical or can i just use the optical connection?

When i use only the optical connection the computer doesnt recoognize the emu 0404 is there, which leads me to belive i need to usb cable no matter what.

 

It could be a ground loop but i have no idea where or how to start fixing that.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks.

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post #2 of 10
4/9/11 at 2:45pm

S/PDIF (optical and coaxial) goes in one direction only. So the computer won't have any way to know whether the EMU 0404 is connected on the other end. But it should still work. 

 

As for fixing the USB, try using a powered USB hub and experiment with plugging the EMU, the hub, and the speakers into the same and different wall outlets. You can also try using a USB isolator, it isolates the EMU from the computer similar to using optical, but you still need to make sure there's no ground loop between the EMU and the speakers.

 

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post #3 of 10
4/9/11 at 3:31pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoga Flame View Post

S/PDIF (optical and coaxial) goes in one direction only. So the computer won't have any way to know whether the EMU 0404 is connected on the other end. But it should still work. 

 

As for fixing the USB, try using a powered USB hub and experiment with plugging the EMU, the hub, and the speakers into the same and different wall outlets. You can also try using a USB isolator, it isolates the EMU from the computer similar to using optical, but you still need to make sure there's no ground loop between the EMU and the speakers.

 


so optical goes in the OUT for both devices ? or One side in and the other out?
 

 

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post #4 of 10
4/9/11 at 3:36pm

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by inDeeDy View Post

so optical goes in the OUT for both devices ? or One side in and the other out?
 



sound card optical out --> EMU optical in

 

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post #5 of 10
4/9/11 at 3:47pm
Thread Starter 

Can i Use only the optical connection for the speakers to work or do i need the usb also ?

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post #6 of 10
4/9/11 at 3:56pm

For normal audio playback, optical alone without USB should be fine. USB will be needed for recording or anything else that needs information to be sent back to the computer. When using optical, you may need to change the default audio device in your Windows/Mac settings.

 

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post #7 of 10
4/9/11 at 4:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoga Flame View Post

For normal audio playback, optical alone without USB should be fine. USB will be needed for recording or anything else that needs information to be sent back to the computer. When using optical, you may need to change the default audio device in your Windows/Mac settings.

 



Hmmmm yea i wont be doing any recording just playback... but when only the optical is in i get no sound and the computer doesnt even recognize the emu 0404 is there.

 

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post #8 of 10
4/9/11 at 4:27pm

When it's only optical, you shouldn't see the 0404 on the computer. The computer only knows it is sending audio through optical out. It doesn't know what device is receiving it.

 

Make sure the computer has the optical out selected as the default audio device. Maybe try using the buttons on the EMU to set it to direct monitor = S/PDIF, and S/PDIF = optical. If that still doesn't work then it probably means I was wrong about how the 0404 works (my apologies, if that's the case).

 

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post #9 of 10
4/9/11 at 4:41pm
Thread Starter 

Got it all set up properly but still no sound through optical only, Im using Winamp media player. Do i need something called AISO?

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post #10 of 10
4/9/11 at 4:49pm
Thread Starter 

Wooot Got it. I tried what you said with the Direct Monitor on Main and turned it up all the way but it didnt work the first time. Then i tried it using the AISO plug in for win amp and configured it and its working now.

 

Thanks for the Help alot Yoga!!!

Sounds GOOOOD smily_headphones1.gifL3000.gifk701smile.gifsmily_headphones1.gif


Edited by inDeeDy - 4/9/11 at 4:58pm
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