Getting rid of that buzzing sound (Recording line in audio)

KennyMan666

Edit history:

KennyMan666: 2013-05-08 07:14:27 am

KennyMan666: 2013-05-08 07:13:47 am

2013-05-08 07:13:24 am

Precursor

When I use my Dazzle to record NES runs, I record audio with the sound card Line in rather than the Dazzle audio. However, I've noticed that I get a buzzing sound in my recordings, that is kind of really hearable when there's no sound playing.

Sample: http://kenny.next-era.net/buzztest.avi

What can I try to get rid of that buzz? It's not the worst of problems as it can really only be heard when there's no other sound playing, but it's noticeable enough that I'd love for it to go away.

Thread title:

presjpolk

2013-05-08 11:08:22 am

HELLO!

Try a better cable?

Try better audio hardware?

MrLonghair

2013-05-08 01:06:47 pm

Audio-guy. twitchtv:ohgoddamnit

You need a ground-loop isolator. I'm using this cheap one between game console/other item that needs an audio fix and the receiving mixer/computer/soundcard: http://www.netonnet.se/art/bil-och-bat/bilstereo/installationsmaterial/bilstereotillbehor/Nedis-GROUNDLOOPISOLATOR/103175.4708/

Sometimes it can be solved by keeping everything on the same power-strip or wall-socket.

KennyMan666

Edit history:

KennyMan666: 2013-05-08 02:18:06 pm

2013-05-08 02:02:24 pm

Precursor

Awesome. Gonna pick up one for myself and one for our karaoke gear here because it hits me that might be the solution to a minor problem we've been having.

(and ooooookay, apparently Amazon won't ship them to Sweden from the UK... what.)

KennyMan666

Edit history:

KennyMan666: 2013-05-14 05:06:00 pm

2013-05-14 05:04:19 pm

Precursor

So! Got my isolators yesterday, still haven't tried recording or anything.

Just to make sure that I don't blow something up: The place in the cable mess I want to connect the isolator is after the signal has been split, before going into the computer, right? As in, I connect one end of the isolator to the splitter that splits the audio signal between the TV and computer and the other end to the RCA to 3,5mm converter that goes into my line in.

Ugly Paint sketch. Red = audio, black = video. And, should perhaps be mentioned, the NES and TV are on the same power strip, whereas the computer is on a different one.

MrLonghair

2013-05-15 05:13:30 pm

Audio-guy. twitchtv:ohgoddamnit

If the troublesome audio only occurs in captures then it should be connected between splitter and Dazzle, else it's a safe bet to put it between NES and splitter. Only use one line, and not in video.

(Nothing will blow up, might just drop a black screen though)

KennyMan666

2013-05-15 05:50:38 pm

Precursor

Well, only the video goes through the Dazzle. So the isolator is connected between the audio splitter and the computer line in, since that's where the audio capture happens. Connecting to the line in happens with a 3.5mm to 2x male RCA converter, though it's NES so it's obviously only one audio channel. At the moment I have both of those RCA plugs connected to the two female RCA plugs on the isolator, but obviously only one of the males is connected to the audio splitter. Is that fine or should I unplug that "unused" RCA from the isolator, even though it shouldn't be doing anything since it's only plugged into a line in?

honorableJay

Edit history:

honorableJay: 2013-05-15 10:15:52 pm

2013-05-15 10:06:51 pm

The Dork Knight himself.

***Edit***
I'd suggest only plugging in the lines being used (originally read the post wrong) to limit the potential for electrical interference. You shouldn't have anything to worry about if the line is simply going from the isolator to your PC's line in since it's not carrying a signal to begin with, but better safe than sorry.

KennyMan666

Edit history:

KennyMan666: 2013-05-16 02:38:48 am

2013-05-16 02:37:07 am

Precursor

Well. Connected everything. Tried recording.

Aaaaaand I still hear buzzing.

For fuck's sake.

Not only is the buzz still there, but the volume of the recording suddenly became much lower.

Sample #2: http://kenny.next-era.net/buzztest-i.mp4
Sample #3: http://kenny.next-era.net/buzztest-3.mp4 (one thing in my setup changed between this and #2)

Guh.

Maybe I'll try connecting it between the NES and splitter later just to see.

KennyMan666

Edit history:

KennyMan666: 2013-05-16 12:44:50 pm

KennyMan666: 2013-05-16 11:02:54 am

KennyMan666: 2013-05-16 10:41:40 am

KennyMan666: 2013-05-16 10:37:22 am

KennyMan666: 2013-05-16 10:36:00 am

2013-05-16 10:35:36 am

Precursor

...and when I connect it between the NES and the splitter, I don't get any video. I shit you not. Even though it's connected on the audio cable. And I got audio. But no video.

Or, to be more specific... the video is all fucked.

BUT when I record like that, the audio is proper volume, and the buzz is actually gone.

Because why not, here's a sample of THAT. http://kenny.next-era.net/buzz-lol.mp4

Edit: I guess the happening is what was refered to here.

Quote from MrLonghair:

(Nothing will blow up, might just drop a black screen though)

Tranquilite

Edit history:

Tranquilite: 2013-05-16 12:27:07 pm

Tranquilite: 2013-05-16 12:26:04 pm

2013-05-16 12:25:39 pm

Try hooking up video without hooking up the audio at all and see what you get then?
Also try hooking up video/audio to dazzle/line-in without using splitter at all.

honorableJay

2013-05-16 03:46:26 pm

The Dork Knight himself.

Have you tried hooking the audio directly into the Dazzle and getting a sample that way? There are ways to get the audio from the Dazzle itself: AmarecTv or a hacked version of VDub. It's possible that some of the buzzing can be from your sound card (especially if it's a soundcard mounted directly to your motherboard).