Traktor Kontrol S4 Hard Drive Noise Issue

[jinj]

Guys,

I've been searching the forum along with the NI forum and although there are threads of issues with the KS4 none of them are giving any solutions.

I've recently bought a S4, great bit of kit working really well. One problem that I have is that when my external hard drive spins up I hear it through my powered monitors. No a major problem when in my home but I'm about to start playing out with it next week and on a big sound system it will be nasty!!

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Jinj

[ksandvik]

Use balanced cables, S4 has balanced out 1/4 outputs. I assume your referenced monitors or PA has balanced input; any PA with no balanced input is crap. Same with reference monitors, they should have balanced inputs or put them out as a freebie outside your house.

[jinj]

Im using balanced 1/4 jacks just now. I'm wordering if it's down to my USB cable. Might buy a high quality cable to see if that makes a difference.

[astromech]

I recommend Monster cables.



Or just get one on ebay...

[nem0nic]

I recommend Monster cables.

No.

I'll bet you have a ground loop somewhere. Connect your gear and verify that you have the noise problem again. Then disconnect your laptop from main power (so it's running off battery). Did the noise stop? If yes, then you definitely have a ground loop.

If not, then I'm guessing that you have something else in your setup that has a grounded plug. Go to a hardware store and get one of these...

http://www.filmtools.com/grliadco41.html

Should cost about a dollar. Use this on all your grounded plugs one at a time until you hear the noise go away. If you do this and still have noise, post back here.