We have a USB splitter that connects an external hard drive to two separate computers (MacBook Pro and an HP Laptop). Unfortunately, the USB splitter is emitting an electrical buzz that is picked up in audio recordings on the MacBook Pro only. When the external hard drive is connected directly to the MacBook, there is no buzzing noise picked up on the MacBook and the audio quality is perfect. However, when the usb splitter is added back in, we get the electrical buzz again. Any thoughts on why this is happening or why this is happening only on the MacBook Pro?
I’m surprised that even works. USB splitters are “dumb” in that they don’t know where the data comes from or where it is going to - it’s rather like a hosepipe that splits into two pipes. I would have expected that if you tried reading or writing with both computers at the same time, the data would be corrupted. USB splitters are intended to be used with simple devices, such as keyboards or printers, where the data is only going in one direction.
Is it definitely a USB splitter and not a USB hub? If it’s a hub, what make and model?
USB splitter is emitting an electrical buzz that is picked up in audio recordings
Where is the audio coming from?
It is strongly recommended that audio production be done on a computer’s internal drive and not external, network, USB, or cloud drives.
Koz