My computer's sound is leaking into my line in audio

[chj]

It's back, only happens with the Audio Kontrol, can't reproduce it using my old setup (pre-amp into Soundblaster line in + ASIO 4All). I'm completely confused.

[dacaumodo]

OK sorry for the perhaps silly question but are you absolutely sure it's not sound leaking from your headphones/speakers into a mic? If you have a very sensitive mic this can happen even at low volumes. Can you disable the line in in the control panel of your soundcard? Does it solve the problem? Finally does it help if you move your soundcard as far away as possible from the computer, speakers and headphones?

Otherwise it might be time for a visit to the shop.

[chj]

Thanks for the suggestions, but I've tried all of that. Unplugged the microphone, recorded without any speakers or headphones so there's no actual audible noise anywhere, completely disabled the Soundblaster (and all other audio devices) in the device manager, even completely uninstalled it's drivers, moved the Audio Kontrol as far as I could from the computer. None of it made any difference.

Somehow the HiZ input is picking up the computer's output signal. It's very low. Unless you listen to the recorded audio at extreme volume or with heavy distortion you probably couldn't hear it. A noise gate at the lowest possible setting will snuff it out. In the end only guitarists using the HiZ input would even open up the door to this possibility. So I wouldn't be surprised if other people have the same issue but don't even realize it.

I'm exchanging the Audio Kontrol for other (possibly related) reasons, so hopefully it will fix the problem. Otherwise, it's extremely annoying, but I guess I can live with it.

[hibidy]

which one are you trying next?

[chj]

Well I'm exchanging it for a new AK1. From the beginning, my AK1 line in (line 2) was making some pretty loud pops and crackles when the cable was moved. I tried different cords, used those cords using my old line in setup, and used those cords in line in (line 1) of the AK1. I didn't get the pops and crackles with these other setups so I'm pretty sure it's the AK1's line 2.

I can even hear the pops and crackles from wiggling line 2 when I have line 1 selected as my input. It shouln't matter than line 2 is popping crackling if it's not selected but it's clearly audible. That's why I'm hoping an exchange will fix this audio leak problem also. Maybe there's just some defect causing line 2 to pickup/generate excessive noise.

Despite these problems the AK1 has noticeably improved my guitar sound. Hopefully a new unit will have all the benefits and none of the quirks.

[thecontrolcentre]

Only the HiZ line seems to be having this problem. If I record using the regular line level or mic level you cannot hear the main mix in the recorded audio.
But if the HiZ switch is engaged, something is actually plugged into the HiZ jack, and the HiZ input level is turned up, you will hear a very faint recording of the main mix in the recorded audio.

My AK1 has only line or mic input ... no HiZ switch or input (unless you are talking about the phantom power button?).

In the end only guitarists using the HiZ input would even open up the door to this possibility. So I wouldn't be surprised if other people have the same issue but don't even realize it.

Are you using the phantom power switch when recording a DI'd electric guitar?

[chj]

My AK1 has only line or mic input ... no HiZ switch or input (unless you are talking about the phantom power button?).

Are you using the phantom power switch when recording a DI'd electric guitar?

Maybe you have an older version, but my AK1 has a line/instrument(HiZ) switch for line2. The phantom power switch is only for line1 which also has a mic/line switch. I'm not using phantom power when I record guitar.