Yamaha HS speakers ‘hissing’ & advice on setup

FarleyUK

Hi all,

Like many, I’ve been trying to create a home recording setup. I’ve got a laptop with Reaper, and purchased a couple of refurbished Yamaha HS5 monitors, and a Focusrite Scralet 6i6 interface.

I have a second monitor connected to the laptop via DisplayPort, and the audio out from the monitor is going via 3.5mm phono to dual XLR on the speakers.

I then have the Focusrite jack outputs going into the jack inputs on each speaker, via TRS cables.

However - when the 6i6 is on, there is an audible ‘hissing’ noise coming from the monitors. This happens even when the laptop is not turned on or connected and when the XLRs are removed. I don’t get it when just the monitor is connected.

Any idea what it could be? Any advice on changes to the setup, inputs and so on are welcome.

(Incidentally, the sound I was getting from the Fortin Cali plugin and Helix Native were fantastic - finally see what I’ve been missing!).

spark240

So ...you have 2 sets of cable going to the speakers?

One pair from the interface and a pair form the monitor ?

FarleyUK

spark240 said:

So ...you have 2 sets of cable going to the speakers?

One pair from the interface and a pair form the monitor ?

Yep - reason being that I use my work laptop in there as well, and don't want to connect it to the interface, so use the audio out from the monitor.

For my main laptop though, I go via the interface.

After playing around with things, I've discovered the noise is coming only when the USB cable is connected - even if there's nothing on the other end. Tried changing cables, same thing...

spark240

Well a quick search says it not good to use both inputs on the speakers, most people experience severe volume loss or other issues.

The suggestion is a cheap motor controller or mixer then connect both audio sources and 1 set of cables to the monitors.

FarleyUK

spark240 said:

Well a quick search says it not good to use both inputs on the speakers, most people experience severe volume loss or other issues.

The suggestion is a cheap motor controller or mixer then connect both audio sources and 1 set of cables to the monitors.

Ah, gotcha thanks - just ordered a monitor mixer, but in the meantime I'll disconnect one pair and see if it changes anything Thanks!

FarleyUK

Ok, new cables and the monitor mixer arriving this weekend. Is there any reason not to use a jack to XLR cable to connect the outputs from the mixer to the speakers? Or should I just keep it trs to trs jacks?

spark240

I think it depends if the monitor mixer supports balanced outputs, ..which one did you get ?

FarleyUK

It’s this one -

ESI Esmoco Passive Monitor Controller

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076M1528Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_G3wTEbNHAZS7H

However, just realised it doesn’t have the dual 1/4” jack inputs I thought it did; it has one paid balanced 1/4” inputs and 1 rca inputs. No worries, can connect the monitor to the RCA inputs and the focusrite to the balanced jack input - then use XLR outs into the speakers. 

Might just try connecting the monitor to the line ins on the focusrite to see what happens...

spark240

Why would you do that?....monitors to interface line in?

  I guess nothing will happen.

FarleyUK

spark240 said:

Why would you do that?....monitors to interface line in?

  I guess nothing will happen.

I was trying to think of a way to not have to use the monitor controller - and plugging the output of the pc monitor into the line inputs of the focusrite seems to work so far. Works with work laptop when it’s not connected via usb to the Focusrite, so think job’s a good ‘un!