Buzz when Recording Mixes NEED HELP PLEASE :(

hey guys, im sure there are probably a few threads on this alreay but i cant seem to find any please point me in the direction of one if you know though!

alright, been djing for ages, and know enough bout production/computers etc. anyway, only just upgraded my setup and wanted to crank some give away CD's!

Alas! Recording seems to not want to work.

Iv got numark TTs, Pio 800s and a DDM4000 (has S/Pdif output but at the moment are only using normal RCA out)

I have ran 2x RCAS from the "booth/record" outputs into my line in on my desktop computer (pretty decent comp), but when i record (in any program) i get a lot of hum/buzzz underneath the track. Its not the track or the input because it does it even if the track is not playing/mixer is even off!

Could the line in plug behind my computer be picking up interference from power cords etc and making the buzz?

Was thinking about getting a new soundcard with S/PDIF in/out and using that but if thats still not going to work then im not going to waste my money.

Please if anyone could help that would be great.

OR any other (easier) way to record my mixes!


cheers guys
Scotty V

Like you said the first thing Id check is where your pc sits in the power connection chain.
Is it on a powerboard? try unplugging stuff in different orders to see if that kills it.
Failing that, Id say its your sound card.
What sort of connection (soundcard input) are you using. If its a factory setup then Im picking its a mini jack (little headphone type plug).
Try adjusting your pc's level input (software in windows), maybe its going into the mic port and not the line in?
Get a soundcard that uses chunky inputs or usb.
Spdif is fine and all that, but I actually think usb or firewire is better as you can send other info besides just audio back and forth.

thanks leNight.

this is my home computer, its not used for production so it sits along with the power for my printer, monitor, external HDDs, modems, etc (on a powerboard), i dont really want to have to unplug all this when i want to record soemthing. How would i go about using usb?

and yes just a factory shite soundcard with line outs etc. I know getting a mean $200 soundcard with would be better, but thats still sitting back there will all that power interferance, so would kind of be a waste.

im sure not every tom dick and harry has to go buy a mean soundcard just so they can record a demo CD? and i can see why laptops are good in this situation, they need no power or anything around them (thus no interferance).


Any help would be aprreciated! Interested in USB, but not sure about going about it, as my mixer only has RCA and SPDIF outs?

Cheers

Sorry, I dont think I explained myself properly
You dont have to unplug everything each time you want to record, just try unplugging things as a process of elimination, and then once you have isolated the buzz (if it is a power thing) then rearrange the power supplies accordingly.
As for the usb thing, yeah your right, not everyone needs a kick ass soundcard to record dj sets, I was more talking about having a quality physical connection. A usb sound device works by example:
Dj mixer into usb soundcard via rca - then the soundcard into pc via usb. Simple.
The only reason I mentioned your soundcard was to point out that it might be the mini jack input that is responsible for the buzz. These are not the most reliable connections in the world.
Hope I helped.

electronic hums can also be induced by certain light fittings that have wire wound ballasts, such as old school florescent lights... there are also other electrical devices that can cause similar problems.

this is where 3phase power is good and unfortunately most houses in nz only have single phase.


this probably not really your problem, but useful knowledge if you ever want to set up a recording studio, as you need keep power correction and filtering in mind.

Every time I turn on my oven, one of my amps hums really loud! and its the one running the sub so it booms.