Re: Looping with a PC laptop... which one?

[Mark Sottilaro <sine@zerocrossing.net>]

Wouldn't get a Latitude.  Don't care if it's that small.

However, what doesn't make any sense to me is this: If I'm using USB 
that doesn't get power from the source of data, there should not be any 
ground issues... no?  The M-Audio Audiophile has it's own powersupply.  
The only link would be the USB data stream, no?  If there was noise on 
that, it would corrupt the signal and be useless.  I could see the 
issue if you were using a USB/Audio device that took power from the 
laptop.

Or, I could be totally wrong.

Mark

On Saturday, September 27, 2003, at 07:25 AM, Doug Cox wrote:

> Mark,
>
> *SOME* Dell's have a known issue with the grounding of the power supply
> jack, which causes hummmm in the USB audio output.  I know for a fact 
> that
> Latitudes have this problem, but I can't speak for other models.  Dell 
> is
> very tight lipped about the issue, but when pressed, a good tech 
> support
> person will tell you that it's a documented problem.  The fix?  Either 
> use
> the battery, or put a 3-prong -> 2-prong adapter on the power supply 
> cord.
> Someone can probably explain how that might be dangerous...  I'm an
> electro-peasant, so I don't know.
>
> Personally, if I was starting from scratch, I wouldn't buy a Dell for 
> audio.
>
> Doug
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark Sottilaro" <sine@zerocrossing.net>
> To: <Loopers-Delight@loopers-delight.com>
> Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2003 3:08 AM
> Subject: Looping with a PC laptop... which one?
>
>
>> Hey,
>>
>> Well, I knew as soon as I got comfy with a laptop I was using, the
>> owner would want it back (long story, don't ask) so now I'm looking 
>> for
>> the replacement.  I like Macs, but let's face it, they're pricey.  I
>> have a nice desktop Mac, and I'm not married to Apple's product line
>> especially when they're twice as expensive for the base machine.
>>
>> SO, I've heard that Jon El-Bizri had issues with a Dell and noise via
>> USB.  I'm using a USB interface that has it's own power supply, so I
>> honestly don't know how noise could transfer unless the D/A was 
>> screwed
>> up in some way.  The USB (M-audio Audiofile) on the TiBook was fine.
>> Quiet.  My only complaint was it didn't have gain controls.  I say 
>> Dell
>> because our IT dept swears by them and our people are on the road 
>> using
>> them for shows all the time so they get banged up.  I guess they have
>> great service.
>>
>> any advise would be appreciated.
>>
>> Mark Sottilaro
>>
>