high frequency tone in recordings

[Compuplayer]

Today, I connected my stereo to my souncard. I want to record some tapes.

Unfortunately I hear a high frequency tone through my recordings. My computer is only grounded once, so it isn't that hum in case of double grounding (groundloop).

Does anyone have a good idea?

@ (the Netherlands)

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Hello and welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif forums!

Could you elaborate somewhat on just how you have hooked your stereo to your pc?

Not assuming you've done it wrong but just to doublecheck and suggest proper ways and fixes for others as well:

1: Use the record out jacks not the speaker outs.

2: Use shielded cables (with the braided ground that surrounds the signal lead or coaxial) not ones for speakers which have leads side by side.

3: You could try grounding your pc case and your stereo's frame with a separate ground lead. This will cancel hums and static in some instances.

4: You can hook anything with a preamp in it but not turntables alone. TV audio outs, cassette players, component and portable CD players and the record outs from your stereo all will work well. There just needs to be a small powered circuit to supply approximately a 1.5 volt signal which a turntable does not have.

5: You may have a problem with anything from your stereo, the cables and even within your pc, your soundcard being one possible prob.

6: Sometimes in the past, with odd house wiring, I have had to use a grounding adaptor to 'lift' the ground from the house wiring to stop a mysterious hum.

7: What do you have nearby that may be introducing an RF signal to your system in some way? Flourescent lights, motors, fishtank accessories etc.?

[mjc]

If you have a microphone on your PC, make sure that it is either unplugged or muted, because it could be causing feedback through the stereo speakers.

[Compuplayer]

I've read the tips. I've already done all mentioned. Only about soundcard,computer and stereo, of course, I can't be 100% sure. Though soundcard (Sweex) is new. The cables have been tested and seemed fine. I tried it on my cassetdeck, minidisk and cassetdeck, standing alone disconnected from the rest of my stereo. I hooked my soundcard to my cassetdeck with standard stereo cables, red and white, don't know the English word (tulip cables?).

Only a set of speakers is connected to my soundcard. I'll try without them and with a headphone. When I ground my stereo and my computer, I will get a ground loop (a hum) so only my stereo is grounded.

When I record from line in without the stereo connected the tone is gone. Too when I record from e.g. mic with stereo connected.

@

[Fruss Tray Ted]

My Kenwood receiver and Technics linear turntable (and most others too) have a separate green wire or ground screw made specifically for grounding 2 components together. It will not give you a ground loop. Try it. If it doesn't work, nothing lost but time.

[Compuplayer]

I think I'll quit trying to record from tape to pc, I'll find another way or buy a better soundcard. This one was very cheap.

Greetings,

@