Audio Interface + Speakers Power Up/Power Down

Performance & Techniques Music Production
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Audio Interface + Speakers Power Up/Power Down

Hey guys,

So I recently saw a video about the basics of ableton live and when they started talking about audio interfaces and speakers they had a specific set of instructions of turning on turning on the speakers and then the interface and then the computer. My question is…

Will my Audio 4 DJ get damaged in anyway if I have my computer on already and I just plug/unplug it from the USB port when I want to use/not use it? I usually turn my speakers off before unplugging the A4DJ but I was wondering if the A4DJ itself would get damaged. What are your thoughts?

Thanks. :sunglasses:

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The a4dj is a plug and play device, you won’t harm it by connecting while the computer is on. But, do have your speakers off while plugging in/out the interface. If they are turned on it can create loud pops when you plug the interface into power and can hurt the speakers themselves.

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Speakers/amp should be the last thing on and the first thing off.

4

^ Good advice. You learn these types of procedure when at audio colleges.

Just a matter of protecting your drivers.

Cheers

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i have my entire studio powered on and control it with a single switch from my rackmount power conditioner. pretty much a single switch to power everything up…

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This should be fine as well obviously as long as you do not hear large thumps
going through the speakers at and point. I prefer to do each piece of kit manually to avoid surges, especially when power amplifiers switch on.

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Ok thanks for the advice guys! I guess since I’m using an Audio 4 DJ and it’s plug and play it should be fine.

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Turning your speakers on before the interface is a great way to blow your speakers. I would disregard any further advice from anyone that tells you to do that.

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That advice is 100% wrong in every way.

Either you heard it wrong or they didn’t learn the first lesson taught in any recording, production, performance, or audiophile program anywhere.

If that’s actually what they said, forget everything they taught you…they’re doing it wrong.

You power up stuff in the same path sound travels…turn it off in the opposite.

So for you, laptop → audio interface → outboard hardware/mixer → amp.

Turn off in the opposite order.

And if your audio interface doesn’t have a power switch…plugging it in counts as turning it on.

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okay so quick noob question, is there anything wrong with just leaving your interface on so you can just turn your speakers on or off when you want to start/stop?

Also with headphones, since they don’t use separate power from the interface, you can plug them into the interface before or after the interface is on and be fine correct?

Thanks, just dont wanna blow anything haha

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To reiterate: [quote=“mostapha, post:9, topic:24135, username:mostapha”]
You power up stuff in the same path sound travels…turn it off in the opposite.
[/quote]

That’s literally all you need to know about that. It’s not that complicated. You just have to do it right or risk damaging things. It’s not a huge risk either, but it’s worth doing it right.

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you would just be wasting energy… unless you are using a pc and your interface is running from usb power, then you are using wattage from the psu…

personally i have all my gear hooked up to my power conditioner in proper order and just flick 1 switch

here is a photo of the setup