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Subject:interference from printer
Posted by: philsayer
Date:9/15/2003 7:13:50 AM

I've just installed a (cheapish) laser printer (Kyocera Mita FS 1010) and it seems to be generating some RF when it's "asleep" - about 5 mins after last print run.

This is noticeable on playback through any s/ware (annoying) but it's also appearing on recordings (intolerable!) It shows as an audible click, every ten seconds or so, at around -25dB. Grrrrrrr.

Powering the printer from a separate power source, as recommended, does nothing to stop it, and I've tried hooking it up to the PC via both the parallel port and the USB (no difference.)

I'd guess it's a capacitor discharging or some such problem - any ideas for a solution? I don't at present have any "smoothing" of the power supplies to any of my gear, as it's never been necessary before.

Thanks, folks!

(Relevant tech details - recording voice from Neumann TLM 103 mike, into Mackie 1202-VLZ Pro mixer, into SB Audigy 2 card.)

Subject:RE: interference from printer
Reply by: drbam
Date:9/15/2003 8:43:47 AM

Its suggested that all non-audio related periphials (like printers and such) be disabled when using your system for audio. At the minimum you should power down the printer for a few minutes before doing any audio work (best to unplug it - not just turn it off at the power button). Even better yet to dedicate a computer to audio only.

HTH,

drbam

Subject:RE: interference from printer
Reply by: philsayer
Date:9/15/2003 9:48:51 AM

Hmmmm - near-impossible in this environment! I churn out scripts which arrive by fax (into the PC) and e-mail (sometimes 20 a day) and switching the printer on and off each time I record really isn't an option.

I didn't have the problem with my old inkjet printer - could this voltage spike be a fault in the new printer or do I have to find a way of stopping it?

Subject:RE: interference from printer
Reply by: drbam
Date:9/15/2003 1:15:07 PM

It could be a problem with your specific printer or it could be just the way that model works. The only way to determine this is to try another of the same make and model and see if the same thing happens. If it does then obviously you will need to choose a different model printer or perhaps do some inquiring into some sort of a filter that *may* eliminate the problem. Sorry I can't advise you in that area.

drbam

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