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AC Control
01/29/2009

There's no way around it: if you're playing onstage or if you have a studio, then you're going to have to deal with AC power cords. Though they provide a conduit for the electrical lifeblood of our equipment, they can also cause noise problems. Some tips for taming AC noise and hum:

  • Route analog signal cables so that they cross AC cables at 90-degree angles.

  • Keep analog signal cables at least one foot (preferably more) from AC power cables.

  • Be careful of big coils of AC cables - they can produce substantial noise and interference.

  • Try to use AC cables that are just long enough for your application. Many pieces of gear use "IEC" power cables, which are removable. Replacement IEC cables are available in a variety of lengths and with "Y" adapters that will help you keep AC cable lengths to a minimum and will help prevent coils and piles of excess wire.

Your Sweetwater Sales Engineer will be happy to help explore the possibilities for getting power cables under control. It will be worth it!





Other Techtips from January 2009:
January 30 - True Amp Tone
January 29 - AC Control
January 28 - Should I Journal?
January 27 - Les Paul Tailpiece Height
January 26 - Tuning Stability
January 23 - It's That Time of Year
January 22 - What Version?
January 21 - Speedier Sessions in Pro Tools
January 20 - LP Factory Specs
January 19 - Pro Tools Updater
January 16 - I've Lost My Plug-ins!
January 15 - Pro Tools Utility
January 14 - Quick Pro Tools Plug-in Access in OS X
January 13 - Preamp Out/Power Amp In
January 12 - Controlling Harsh Guitar
January 09 - Controlling Guitar Stage Volume
January 08 - Dongle-free PT
January 07 - Preventing Checking
January 06 - Real-time Markers in SONAR
January 05 - Breaking Up Is Hard to Do (If You Don't Know Why)
January 02 - Using T-RackS with Logic Pro 8


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