buzz Audio buzz from faulty PSU?!

[Dantoshou]

Hi guys bit of an odd one right now!

 

So yesterday I was using my PC noticed that my condenser mic (Rode NT1-A) and audio interface (Tascam US-144) were both receiving an electrical current that could be felt when you touched your hand to them, not a static shock but a constant current.

 

I realised this wasn't normal and discontinued use straight away, tried different power cables etc with the interface and then decided to take it apart and inspect the damage

 

Upon opening I noticed a burning smell on the board and the unit now no longer works, I will now be taking it to be recycled.

 

What's strange is that I have another problem to do with the audio on the pc now, namely, whenever I run any game on the pc, there is a really loud buzzing sound, it appears linked directly to the microphone (guitar hero usb mic) as it stops when the mic is unplugged.

 

I'm wondering what this could be, I first thought the PSU might be the issue, from what I can see the 12V rail is at 12.8 5V rail is 4.8 and 3.3V rail is at 3.2 I'm not an expert on these things but previously I had a faulty PSU that when checked with a multimeter was outputting 10-11V so I'm not sure this is anywhere near as bad.

 

This is a problem for me as I can't talk to friends while playing apex legends or even when I'm playing crackdown 3 solo, I can hear the buzz if I have listen mode on the mic (which I tend to do as I like the audio feedback of hearing what I've said so I know I'm not peaking or breathing into the mic accidentally)

 

TL:DR external soundcard blew up, using different mic which is making strange buzzing noise and sounds terrible when running games.

 

Example here

Crackdown 3 with audio issue

 

 

Any help would be much appreciated!

[191x7]

AGC (Automatic Gain Control) might be causing you issues, or a microphone boost set too strong.

 

Also, since you mentioned noticing electricity while touching the microphone/interface, I would check the grounding pins on the power strip. I've seen bad power strips having some voltage on the grounding.

[DakotaWebber]

is the buzzing literally audible or is it just the microphone input, or can you hear it through your headphones while the mic is plugged in and listen mode is off?

it could just be the microphone kicking the bucket/not being of high quality

maybe move the mic away from EVERYTHING if its possible? like get an extension and move it away from your pc to see if it still makes a noise

[Dantoshou]

Oddly enough the problem seems to have stopped today, I'll monitor it and take your advice on the issue, as for my condenser mic and audio interface I'm not using those anymore and will have to buy a new audio interface.

[Dantoshou]

16 hours ago, 191x7 said:

AGC (Automatic Gain Control) might be causing you issues, or a microphone boost set too strong.

 

Also, since you mentioned noticing electricity while touching the microphone/interface, I would check the grounding pins on the power strip. I've seen bad power strips having some voltage on the grounding.

I forgot to mention I've just changed the power strip over, might also be time to invest in a brand new one with surge protection insurance etc etc.