Hi all,
I'm using a USB-powered interface, the Novation nio 2|4 (which I am liking less and less as each day goes by)...
When I'm plugged into my garden-variety Dell Inspiron desktop, even at the lowest gain settings, I can hear a lot of static coming through the unit, and it seems to be interference from inside the actual PC itself -- when I maximize/minimize windows, drag to multi-select, etc, I can hear the static changing, as if it's in tune with what the PC is doing.
Now interestingly, when I unplug my synthesizer from the nio's inputs, the static goes away.
A couple of people have suggested I try a powered USB hub, so that the power isn't being drawn from the PC, which sounds reasonable, but I don't want to buy one just on the chance that it *might* solve the problem. Or is it more likely that it's some kind of grounding problem? I didn't think to try last night with an electric guitar plugged in, maybe it's not a ground problem with my synth but rather the nio's inputs don't "activate" unless something is plugges in, therefore I wouldn't hear the problem if nothing was plugged in?
Any help guys?!