Line in Port on motherboard causes ”buzzing/static”

[llSpartacusll]

As title says, when i connect my digital piano to the back of my pc line in port and then unmute the ”rear blue in” in control panel it causes a slight but annoying buzz noise even with piano off or on, as long as something is connected to line in in the back of my mobo and i unmute the port. I’m curious what i can do to fix this, will a mixer help or an audio interface, any help is welcome.

 

Motherboard: Asus z370-f gaming
Mixer: I also have a mixer that i am not using atm not sure if it can fix anything (mackie profx6v3)

(The reason i want my piano connected to my pc is so i can listen to both sound coming out of piano and sound coming out of my pc with the same pair of headphones)

[Freakwise]

Budget Audio interface should do the trick imo, although the mixer you have there could act as audio interface with a DAW

[SupaKomputa]

Make sure it's on Line In not Mic in.

Clean the jack.

[llSpartacusll]

18 minutes ago, Liam danu said:

Budget Audio interface should do the trick imo, although the mixer you have there could act as audio interface with a DAW

Anyway you can guide/link me something on how to do that exactly using the mixer i have if its not to much trouble? I tried plugging in the mixer to the pc using dual 1/4 inch from main out on the mixer to the line in on the pc and i still get that noise even if nothing else is connected to the mixer, but i havent tried using a daw (don’t know much about it tbh)

[Freakwise]

So basically you connect the output from your piano into the one of the input of the mixer usually use ethier input 1/2 and in back of that model of mixer there's a usb type b port that can connect to your pc with standard type a to type b cable.

Although there's a lot of daw out there i suggest free version of fl studio...

 

The interface is the most closest thing to your regular game/software so very little learning curve needed (if that even a word), now i can tell you all of how to connect it to your daw so you can record it but it would be unnecessary long and would be some missing point if i tell you my self so i gonna give you a link for an actual and accurate tutorial for it

https://www.image-line.com/fl-studio-learning/fl-studio-online-manual/html/app_wiz2.htm

 

https://youtu.be/SyQKGLioVYk

 

Forgive me if I'm wrong but I'm 80% sure your mixer could act as audio interface, if happens to not detected as an audio interface you could go with budget offering like focusrite scarlett solo 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B07QR6Z1JB

 

Or the focusrite scarlett 2i2

 

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B07QR73T66/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=focusrite+scarlett+2i2&qid=1619613904&sr=8-3

Or honestly any other interface that comes from reputable brand...

 

If you still confused on what Audio interface is in general i suggest you to watch this

https://youtu.be/hJjcd5lZKrY

 

[llSpartacusll]

22 minutes ago, Liam danu said:

So basically you connect the output from your piano into the one of the input of the mixer usually use ethier input 1/2 and in back of that model of mixer there's a usb type b port that can connect to your pc with standard type a to type b cable.

Although there's a lot of daw out there i suggest free version of fl studio...

 

The interface is the most closest thing to your regular game/software so very little learning curve needed (if that even a word), now i can tell you all of how to connect it to your daw so you can record it but it would be unnecessary long and would be some missing point if i tell you my self so i gonna give you a link for an actual and accurate tutorial for it

https://www.image-line.com/fl-studio-learning/fl-studio-online-manual/html/app_wiz2.htm

 

https://youtu.be/SyQKGLioVYk

 

Forgive me if I'm wrong but I'm 80% sure your mixer could act as audio interface, if happens to not detected as an audio interface you could go with budget offering like focusrite scarlett solo 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B07QR6Z1JB

 

Or the focusrite scarlett 2i2

 

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B07QR73T66/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=focusrite+scarlett+2i2&qid=1619613904&sr=8-3

Or honestly any other interface that comes from reputable brand...

 

If you still confused on what Audio interface is in general i suggest you to watch this

https://youtu.be/hJjcd5lZKrY

 

Thanks ill try this when i get home from work and tell you how it goes, thanks for the help so far! 

[llSpartacusll]

3 hours ago, Liam danu said:

So basically you connect the output from your piano into the one of the input of the mixer usually use ethier input 1/2 and in back of that model of mixer there's a usb type b port that can connect to your pc with standard type a to type b cable.

Although there's a lot of daw out there i suggest free version of fl studio...

 

The interface is the most closest thing to your regular game/software so very little learning curve needed (if that even a word), now i can tell you all of how to connect it to your daw so you can record it but it would be unnecessary long and would be some missing point if i tell you my self so i gonna give you a link for an actual and accurate tutorial for it

https://www.image-line.com/fl-studio-learning/fl-studio-online-manual/html/app_wiz2.htm

 

https://youtu.be/SyQKGLioVYk

 

Forgive me if I'm wrong but I'm 80% sure your mixer could act as audio interface, if happens to not detected as an audio interface you could go with budget offering like focusrite scarlett solo 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B07QR6Z1JB

 

Or the focusrite scarlett 2i2

 

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B07QR73T66/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=focusrite+scarlett+2i2&qid=1619613904&sr=8-3

Or honestly any other interface that comes from reputable brand...

 

If you still confused on what Audio interface is in general i suggest you to watch this

https://youtu.be/hJjcd5lZKrY

 

Ok... so I just tested out using the mixer and it's working I can hear both audio from my PC and piano BUT there is 1 problem... my piano sound is low, it's not too low or anything but I would like to have the ability to increase it. Right now it worked without using the DAW ill link a picture below so you can see how I have it connected, so obviously headphones (sennheiser hd600 using 1/4 adapter) in the "Phones" jack and Piano output is a 1/8 cable to dual 1/4 cable into the line ports, and then usb cable into PC. So now i've eliminated the line in port completely. 

 

1. Should I still use a DAW?

2. Is there anyway to make my piano/headphones louder without getting buzzing noise.

3. Is this an audio interface so far?

 

PS: the "Phones" dial is dialed up to the max without having any buzzing, anything beyond that and it starts making noise.

EDIT: The cable dangling is a mod mic attached to my headphones so ignore that one.

[Freakwise]

1 hour ago, llSpartacusll said:

Ok... so I just tested out using the mixer and it's working I can hear both audio from my PC and piano BUT there is 1 problem... my piano sound is low, it's not too low or anything but I would like to have the ability to increase it. Right now it worked without using the DAW ill link a picture below so you can see how I have it connected, so obviously headphones (sennheiser hd600 using 1/4 adapter) in the "Phones" jack and Piano output is a 1/8 cable to dual 1/4 cable into the line ports, and then usb cable into PC. So now i've eliminated the line in port completely. 

 

1. Should I still use a DAW?

2. Is there anyway to make my piano/headphones louder without getting buzzing noise.

3. Is this an audio interface so far?

 

PS: the "Phones" dial is dialed up to the max without having any buzzing, anything beyond that and it starts making noise.

EDIT: The cable dangling is a mod mic attached to my headphones so ignore that one.

You can turn up the the 3/4 knob to adjust the gain although i would connect it to those round connector at very top left that labeled 1 and 2 those are hybrid connector so you can plug xlr and 1/4 inch and because it has "hi-z" button, basically it's amplifi the low input sound like a guitar or in this case your piano...

 

Sorry, I'm just realised your actual intention to do this...

 

Ok so, if you want to hear sounds from your pc and piano using same pair of headphones with your current set there's a way although required a little bit more cable

Im gonna upload an image so you can understand it, ok

[llSpartacusll]

25 minutes ago, Liam danu said:

You can turn up the the 3/4 knob to adjust the gain although i would connect it to those round connector at very top left that labeled 1 and 2 those are hybrid connector so you can plug xlr and 1/4 inch and because it has "hi-z" button, basically it's amplifi the low input sound like a guitar or in this case your piano...

 

Sorry, I'm just realised your actual intention to do this...

 

Ok so, if you want to hear sounds from your pc and piano using same pair of headphones with your current set there's a way although required a little bit more cable

Im gonna upload an image so you can understand it, ok

Alright, again thanks for all of your help so far 

[Freakwise]

So ok this is bit tricky

 

First of, the best way to do it is to plug the piano just like purple line...

Then you can connect your pc just like yellow or orange line if you didn't want to do adapt the output then go orange line... Because it's stereo 3.5mm jack

 

Ignore the pink line, if you didn't want plan to record your piano sounds

 

But if you want to casually record your piano sounds then I'm gonna bring some articles and video to make it more clutter free...

Couples Hours from now

 

Then connect your headset to the phone like usual

 

 

 

[llSpartacusll]

1 hour ago, Liam danu said:

So ok this is bit tricky

 

First of, the best way to do it is to plug the piano just like purple line...

Then you can connect your pc just like yellow or orange line if you didn't want to do adapt the output then go orange line... Because it's stereo 3.5mm jack

 

Ignore the pink line, if you didn't want plan to record your piano sounds

 

But if you want to casually record your piano sounds then I'm gonna bring some articles and video to make it more clutter free...

Couples Hours from now

 

Then connect your headset to the phone like usual

 

 

 

You don't have to worry about finding links to recording that's probably lowest on my priority list atm.

 

 I did what you said and it worked better than before with the Piano actually sounding good this time, i went from stereo (5/6 label on mixer) to line out on my motherboard and I get a noise from my pc/mobo/soundcard/something, but only if I turn the dial higher than i have on the mixer if you look at picture below.

 

I'm really confused now because when i plug in my headphones to the "line out" on my motherboard I get no buzzing, but when I tried 2 different stereo cables i get the same buzzing sound. It makes a very "inconsistent" static/buzz sound.

[Freakwise]

39 minutes ago, llSpartacusll said:

You don't have to worry about finding links to recording that's probably lowest on my priority list atm.

 

 I did what you said and it worked better than before with the Piano actually sounding good this time, i went from stereo (5/6 label on mixer) to line out on my motherboard and I get a noise from my pc/mobo/soundcard/something, but only if I turn the dial higher than i have on the mixer if you look at picture below.

 

I'm really confused now because when i plug in my headphones to the "line out" on my motherboard I get no buzzing, but when I tried 2 different stereo cables i get the same buzzing sound. It makes a very "inconsistent" static/buzz sound.

If your current set up is the best one right now, then fine i just hope you happy with it also

39 minutes ago, llSpartacusll said:

I'm really confused now because when i plug in my headphones to the "line out" on my motherboard I get no buzzing, but when I tried 2 different stereo cables i get the same buzzing sound. It makes a very "inconsistent" static/buzz sound.

 for this problem it could happen because headphones always have higher impedance/resistance on them in the range of 40-600ohm while amplifier sometimes do have similar resistance on them, you technically boost/amped the audio signal that happens to contain noise, so i guess that problem only could be solved with part upgrade or replacement....

 

[llSpartacusll]

This is the best setup so far, again thanks for all your help 

[llSpartacusll]

I've found a solution, it was only a problem due to my incompetence. All I had to do was go to control panel and disable every output except the USB B(mixer) to USB (PC) port and I got the audio bypassing using the motherboard audio AT ALL. (The output was called "ProFX 3-4 (3-4 as in USB 3-4)) obviously this will differ depending on mixer and name of the output.