Scarlett 16i16 static noise

[Ledvedder]

I have my Scarlett 16i16 connected to my laptop via USB. I have Kali Audio monitors connected to the Scarlett with 1/4" speaker cable. I get a static noise out of the monitors, but it goes away if I unplug my laptop's charger. What could cause this?

 

[gearJunkie]

I have my Scarlett 16i16 connected to my laptop via USB. I have Kali Audio monitors connected to the Scarlett with 1/4" speaker cable. I get a static noise out of the monitors, but it goes away if I unplug my laptop's charger. What could cause this?

Ground loop issues. You can resolve this using a USB isolator.

Amazon.com: Cablemax USB 2.0 Isolator - Hi-Speed 480Mbps, Surge Protection, No Drivers Needed - Plug & Protect Your Investment : Electronics

Amazon.com: Cablemax USB 2.0 Isolator - Hi-Speed 480Mbps, Surge Protection, No Drivers Needed - Plug & Protect Your Investment : Electronics

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[Ledvedder]

Ground loop issues. You can resolve this using a USB isolator.

Amazon.com: Cablemax USB 2.0 Isolator - Hi-Speed 480Mbps, Surge Protection, No Drivers Needed - Plug & Protect Your Investment : Electronics

Amazon.com: Cablemax USB 2.0 Isolator - Hi-Speed 480Mbps, Surge Protection, No Drivers Needed - Plug & Protect Your Investment : Electronics

a.co

Do they make these for USB-C?

 

[gearJunkie]

Do they make these for USB-C?

Amazon.com: DSD TECH SH-G01C USB-C 480M High Speed Isolator(0.5FT) : Electronics

Amazon.com: DSD TECH SH-G01C USB-C 480M High Speed Isolator(0.5FT) : Electronics

a.co

Amazon.com: Topping HS02 USB 2.0 High Performance Audio Isolator with USB-B and Type C Input Compatible with PCM32bit 768kHz DSD512 Native Low Latency USB Isolator : Electronics

Buy Topping HS02 USB 2.0 High Performance Audio Isolator with USB-B and Type C Input Compatible with PCM32bit 768kHz DSD512 Native Low Latency USB Isolator: USB Cables - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

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[Ledvedder]

Wow those are pricey.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

I have Kali Audio monitors connected to the Scarlett with 1/4" speaker cable.

Speaker cable??

 

[Ledvedder]

Speaker cable??

No, I tried a few different ones.

 

[PatF]

Aren't your monitors internally powered? You would need TRS cables between the interface and the monitors if so.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Aren't your monitors internally powered? You would need TRS cables between the interface and the monitors if so.

This. You should not be using speaker cable for this. Your monitors will have TS (unbalanced) or TRS (balanced) inputs. Speaker cable is different internally and is used between poweramp and speakers.

 

[Ledvedder]

This. You should not be using speaker cable for this. Your monitors will have TS (unbalanced) or TRS (balanced) inputs. Speaker cable is different internally and is used between poweramp and speakers.

So what cables should I use? I'm using these, but 10 footers. https://a.co/d/aB1QAgN

 

[Ledvedder]

Aren't your monitors internally powered? You would need TRS cables between the interface and the monitors if so.

Yes, they are powered.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

So what cables should I use? I'm using these, but 10 footers. https://a.co/d/aB1QAgN

These are speaker cables. Inside they are like this (2 identical cores):

https://www.atprosound.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/VL-AUDIO-VLine-S02N40-ATProsound-300x300.jpg

TRS is like this: https://res.cloudinary.com/rsc/imag...uto,w_380/c_pad,h_214,w_380/F8634002-01?pgw=1

You need TRS cables, not speaker cable. You can usually tell TRS cables by looking at the jacks (they’ll have 2 black rings): https://missionengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/neutrik_np3x.jpg

 

[Ledvedder]

I didn't realize I needed TRS cables. You think that would be the cause of the static noise?

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I didn't realize I needed TRS cables. You think that would be the cause of the static noise?

It’s the first place I’d start. The grounding won’t be right with speaker cables so it’s quite likely that using the right cables will fix it. And even if it’s something else, you should still be using the right type of cable so it’s worth doing.