donnie darko Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 (edited) Hi, I am having some problems with my new iMac. I have a firewire solo external sound card type thing which is connected to my mac using a firewire 400 to 800 cable, then my monitors (yamaha HS80) are connected to the firewire solo using balanced jack to jack leads. I am getting continuous interference when loading up programs/moving the mouse etc etc. When i connect my headphones to the firewire solo and listen through them It's nice and clear. I have used this set-up on my previous 2 power macs and it's been fine, the only difference being I needed firewire 400 to 400 for them. I spoke to apple support and they said it must be the connection between the firewire solo and the mac or the firewire solo itself, but you can't believe everything they say. I don't want to have to buy more equipment, I've just spent a grand on a mac and I'd like it to work. What do I do? Thanks, Don Edited August 13, 2012 by donnie darko Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnie darko Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 No ideas at all? maybe it's the firewire cable, it only cost me £4 from ebay :s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 then my monitors (yamaha HS80) are connected to the firewire solo using Using...? Sounds like you didn't finish that sentence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnie darko Posted August 8, 2012 Author Share Posted August 8, 2012 lol sorry David, the speakers are connected using balanced jack to jack leads. One more thing, the interference doesn't come out of the imacs built in speakers. I really don't know what is causing it or what I need to buy to stop it or if it's a fault with the mac. Have you ever head about this problem before? Thanks so much, Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 I have had this problem before, yes. Try this: From the apple menu, go to your system preferences and set the output to built-in line output. See if that solves the issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnie darko Posted August 8, 2012 Author Share Posted August 8, 2012 I don't have that option David, i only have the 2 shown in the picture. When i play a song on sound cloud, while the file is loading up the interference goes mental Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Alright try the internal speakers and turn the volume all the way down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnie darko Posted August 9, 2012 Author Share Posted August 9, 2012 ok i done that, i can't hear any interference through the built in speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Cardenas Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 Just a long shot but it's worth a try... It could be a power issue. Is the Firewire Solo connected to a power outlet or are you using power from the firewire cable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnie darko Posted August 9, 2012 Author Share Posted August 9, 2012 Hi Eric, the firewire solo is being powered by the firewire cable. I will try and find the power adaptor, thanks. When i searched google It seems lots of people have had problems with the imac and interference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 ok i done that, i can't hear any interference through the built in speakers. Ah ok but my idea was to test the system sounds through the built-in speakers with the volume set to zero (so you obviously don't hear them throughout this test) and your Logic sound through your monitors, to see whether or not the issue disappears when you do that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnie darko Posted August 13, 2012 Author Share Posted August 13, 2012 Sorry, do you mean have the output through my monitors but turn down the volume on the built in speakers? If so then yes I have tried that but had no luck. So if there is no sound interference heard through the built in speakers the firewire port must be sending the interference through that? I can't imagine it's my firewire cable or the firewire solos fault? difficult to say i know! :S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnie darko Posted August 15, 2012 Author Share Posted August 15, 2012 Thanks for your help anyway, I think I'll try and borrow a friends speaker and gradually try and isolate the problem. Cheers, Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Cardenas Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 Did you try the power adaptor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnie darko Posted August 16, 2012 Author Share Posted August 16, 2012 Hey Eric, I did yes. Unfortunately it didn't help. Thanks anyway! Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Sorry, do you mean have the output through my monitors but turn down the volume on the built in speakers? I mean route your system sounds to your speakers but your Logic output to your monitors. Then turn your system sounds all the way down. Then see if you can still hear the interferences when listening to Logic project through your monitors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnie darko Posted August 16, 2012 Author Share Posted August 16, 2012 Oh i see what you mean, I will definately try and do that. So in the system preferences/sound i would set that to the built in speakers, and then in logic settings change the output to the firewire solo or something like that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnie darko Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Ok I am still getting the noise through my monitors even when output is set to internal speakers and volume down. I actually didn't open up logic i just wanted to see if the noise would stop in general. Anymore ideas? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnie darko Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 Just an update for future reference. I've disconnected everything, just leaving my imac on and one speaker (not connected in any way) and there is still interference. Must be to do with the ground loop thing then :s Why on this computer though and not the previous 2 Take care of yourselves, annnnndd each other. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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