Hiss form CQ12 digital USB input and output

[Cartman]

From time to time, a problem occurs where a hiss sounds from the computer in addition to the sound and it also happens with the input sound from the mixer to computer, for example, during a zoom meeting. It happens at random moments and nothing else helps than briefly removing and reinserting the USB cable.
At first I thought it was a cable problem and replaced it – the situation is the same.
Do I have a faulty device or any suggestions what to do?

[KeithJ A&H]

Hi Marko,

Please contact us by sumbitting a ticket through support.allen-heath.com including details on the system and operating system you’re connecting to and if possible a recording of the noise.
It could be that the port is powering down or sharing bandwidth with something else, but whatever it is, we should be able to figure it out with you.

Thanks,
Keith.

[Cartman]

Ok, thanks, I’ll do it.

[SteffenR]

Is there software involved on the computer?
Maybe a plugin in demo mode?

[Cartman]

I installed A&T drivers and Windows app. App goes to sleep after some time, but doesn’t change anything. Everything else seems normal. I have previously connected into same computer Yamaha, Tascam and Mackie mixers and no issues. Now A&T is first with strange problem.

[SteffenR]

I’m speechless.
How is the signal coming in to the mixer?
What are you playing? With which software are you recording/streaming?

[Cartman]

Signal comes thru USB cable. Issue is only with computer sound, all other sources in and out are perfect. I usually don’t record inside computer, I’m using separate videomixers, recorders etc. But my job is record and stream live events to internet, sometimes using Zoom, Teams etc, then it’s issue, when sound comes and goes thru computer. Usually problem appears after few hours and not always. Like now last days I haven’t used mixer full 7-8h and no issues.

[SteffenR]

I ask again which software is involved?
Only Zoom or Teams? Or something like OBS?
Do you use paid accounts on Zoom or Teams?

Your description is exactly like a plugin or software is in demo mode.
Did you try plugin limiters, ASIO routing tools, level metering software or something like that?

[Cartman]

I dont use OBS (haven’t used it with this mixer), no digital limiters or other sound software inside computer.
I’m always using physical sound mixer and then send sound to computer or somewhere else.
I just found one Zoom meeting recording. In this recording mixer was few days old and I’m thinking, that my usb cable was faulty. Next day took usb cable from working Yamaha mixer and same issue (exactly same sound) occurs sometimes. Sometimes others can hear it, sometimes only I can hear it. Never happened, that both sides can hear it in same time togehter.

I believe, that it could be something what I missed.
Mixer in now two weeks old, in this video, brand new, few days. In the end of this video I reroute the sound out from CQ analog audio out to other mixer and then back to same computer, hissing is gone.

[KeithJ A&H]

Hi Marko,

I wasn’t able to find contact from you in the support system, but this is a really strange noise!
The fact that you’ve also experienced it with other devices/mixers suggests it’s something in the setup rather than in the CQ, so a few things to try:
– Connect to different USB ports
– Ensure you are not connected through a hub
– Remove other devices which are connected to the computer
– Disable any WiFi or Bluetooth (these can sometimes be connected to an internal hub)
– Check with a different computer if possible
– Disable any power saving settings on USB ports
Then connecting things back to the system one at a time might point towards the source of the problem.

Thanks,
Keith.

[Cartman]

Hi Keith,

I haven’t issued a ticket because just few hours back found video with this sound. I didn’t have example before.
This sound has NEVER occured using different mixers ot setups, ONLY CQ12. I even didn’t know before that this sound existed 😀
Most of suggestions I have already tried.
I never know when this sound occurs, someday its ok and because of that its difficult to triangulate the problem.

[Author]

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