Blocking emi waves

icarus88

icarus88

Jun 18, 2024
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#1
Currently, while working, unfortunately, I have to stand with my back to my laptop and at a 90-degree angle. There is aobvious EMI interference. Because it increases when the laptop works more and decreases as I move away, unfortunately, my room is not big. How can I make an EMI filter for laptop or is there one? Any help would be appreciated
 
#3
Tosh said:
Run the laptop on battery power and see if that helps.

All of my WinTel laptops had this issue - AC power adapter created noise; some were worse than others.

None of my Mac laptops have ever had this problem.
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Unfortunately, the battery lasts for 1 hour because the laptop is old.


Are the old 2013 model macbooks any good in this regard?

If it's good I'll buy it
 
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#5
Tosh said:
I have a 2012 Macbook Pro - it's too old to run the newest Mac OS, and it's battery won't go for more than 2 hours, but it is completely silent. It has the advantage of an optical digital output- something you don't get on the new ones.
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Just run the reaper and emit low emi noise is enough for me .I think it will do the job with an i5 processor, I don't need heavy vsts. Thanks
 
#7
In general all of the Macs with aluminum shells are good at resisting EMI. However, the noise source I'm talking about is internal noise from the power supply. You mentioned that the noise increases as your laptop works harder.

Another factor can be the hard drive (assuming you have a rotating disk, not an SSD). Also, the graphics adapter can be a source of noise.

If EMI/RFI is a problem (it is a common issue) you might consider a wireless system for your guitar. The instrument cable can be an antenna for interference.
 
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#8
Tosh said:
In general all of the Macs with aluminum shells are good at resisting EMI. However, the noise source I'm talking about is internal noise from the power supply. You mentioned that the noise increases as your laptop works harder.

Another factor can be the hard drive (assuming you have a rotating disk, not an SSD). Also, the graphics adapter can be a source of noise.

If EMI/RFI is a problem (it is a common issue) you might consider a wireless system for your guitar. The instrument cable can be an antenna for interference.
Click to expand...


Yes, my laptop does not have an SSD hard disk.

It's annoying, it decreases as I move away, it's not related to the power adapter, because when I move the guitar closer to the adapter there is no difference. The problem is the EMI coming from inside the laptop
 
#10
Tosh said:
The only way to know if the power adapter is a source of noise is to disconnect it and run on battery. You would have the answer in 5 minutes
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This is not a situation related to the ground, it is EMI.

There is a ferrite bead on the power adapter, it is already blocking it, I tested it and moved the power adapter closer to the guitar pickup, there is no difference
 
#11
icarus88 said:
This is not a situation related to the ground, it is EMI.

There is a ferrite bead on the power adapter, it is already blocking it, I tested it and moved the power adapter closer to the guitar pickup, there is no difference
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It’s likely the LCD screen driver, another possible culprit is the wireless network adapter, and or the Bluetooth both inherently RF broadcasting.
 
#12
/\/\3phist0 said:
It’s likely the LCD screen driver, another possible culprit is the wireless network adapter, and or the Bluetooth both inherently RF broadcasting.
Click to expand...


Bluetooth, wifi are all off, the screen is not facing me, the air outlet of my laptop is on the bottom and sides, so there is a direct gap. Result: emi interference
 
#13
icarus88 said:
Just run the reaper and emit low emi noise is enough for me .I think it will do the job with an i5 processor, I don't need heavy vsts. Thanks
Click to expand...
Speaking as an owner of a >10 year old Mac, I wouldn't spend money for one. They're perfectly fine machines but there is no support available whatsoever. Among other things this means they are data security vulnerabilities and each passing year makes them more vulnerable. In addition not much software currently in development can still be installed on it.

If you're happy with your laptop buy it a new battery. Otherwise find a computer, new or used, that can run currently-supported software.
 
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#14
ardgedee said:
Speaking as an owner of a >10 year old Mac, I wouldn't spend money for one. They're perfectly fine machines but there is no support available whatsoever. Among other things this means they are data security vulnerabilities and each passing year makes them more vulnerable. In addition not much software currently in development can still be installed on it.

If you're happy with your laptop buy it a new battery. Otherwise find a computer, new or used, that can run currently-supported software.
Click to expand...

There are no games, I don't even access the internet from the laptop, just let it run Reaper, I hope it does, the latest model MacBooks are very expensive here
 
#15
You'd be better off properly shielding your instrument. I record with my Dell(s) only ~2' from me with no issues. If I get too close, I do get some EMI into the instrument, but at a few feet away, it's pretty much gone. This goes for passive and active instruments (I use many).

Otherwise, you'll need to build a mu-metal box to put your laptop in. Make sure to properly ground it. You could maybe get away with a rectangular steel roasting pan. Don't forget to put an EMI gasket around the lip so it makes good contact with the lid. Ground both the pan and lid. Etc.
 
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#16
lowfreqgeek said:
You'd be better off properly shielding your instrument. I record with my Dell(s) only ~2' from me with no issues. If I get too close, I do get some EMI into the instrument, but at a few feet away, it's pretty much gone. This goes for passive and active instruments (I use many).

Otherwise, you'll need to build a mu-metal box to put your laptop in. Make sure to properly ground it. You could maybe get away with a rectangular steel roasting pan. Don't forget to put an EMI gasket around the lip so it makes good contact with the lid. Ground both the pan and lid. Etc.
Click to expand...


Where should I ground it? I live on the 3rd floor. I guess grounding a flower pot wouldn't work. 😆
 
#20
Tosh said:
Reaper is still supported on OSX 10.5 and later. However, not much else is.

If you want to get an older Mac, my advice is to look for a Mini rather than a laptop. Those you can get some parts for (DIMM's & SSD's) but with a laptop you're SOL.
Click to expand...

There are problems between the latest macos versions and reaper, there are many complaints, I read on the forums. Incompatibility
 
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