Excessive Whitenoise on Recording - USB tapedeck source

Hi everyone, newbie here so appreciate your patience (reasonably tech savvy).

I purchased a mini tape player and connected to the laptop via USB. I’m using an ‘Arlec Battery Eliminator’ multi voltage power plug set at 3v (500mha) Instead of 2 x AA batteries.

When I record I get a lot of ‘white noise’ or ‘hiss’ that seems to drown out the recording (sample attached)

. Not sure if it’s interference as it is heard slightly on the tape when playing, but magnified a lot when it’s recorded.

Is there anything i can change on my settings?
Settings.JPG
.

I’ve even tried ‘Effect’ Noise Reduction with no real success.
Noise Reduction.JPG

If you split the stereo to mono, invert one of the tracks, most of the mains-hum disappears …


Sounds like your battery-eliminator has real-bad ripple.