User Guide

 Use "balanced" cables. These cables are much less susceptible to environmental

interference and can carry a signal with high integrity over a longer length than other

forms of cabling. If at all possible, use balanced cables to connect your interface to your

monitors. Balanced cables contain three lines: two identical transmission lines as a

twisted pair, encased in a third shield. You will find balanced cabling most often in the

form of 1/4" TRS or XLR. If you aren't sure what these cables look like, check out this

article.

 Connect your speakers to a different power strip or supply than your computer. If the

speakers are connected to the same source as the computer and interface, they could be

receiving a ground, resulting in noise. Isolating the speakers to their own source can

rectify many noise issues.

 Use a power conditioner. Not only will a quality power conditioner cut down on noise in

the line, it will protect your equipment from power spikes and surges.

 Don't over-amplify! Turning anything up too high will bring the "noise floor" to the front

of your mix. Every electronic audio device with variable gain can be "turned up" to a

level where inherent noisy artifacts become audible. Make sure that you are not recording

too hot; additionally, make sure that your speakers, or interface output volume, are not

turned up too high.

 The over-usage of compression effects can often make the noise-floor prominent. You

may wish to set your compressor's threshold to a higher value and ratio to a lower value

to minimize this negative effect; this will also give your mix much more dynamic range.

 Use the process of elimination. If there's noise in the line, disconnect each component

one-at-a-time to find the source. For instance, if you are hearing noise, unplug the

speakers from the interface and plug them into another source. If the noise goes away,

then you know the sound must be resulting somewhere from the interface or computer.

Using the process of elimination will allow you to hone in on noise issues with ease.