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Magsafe adapter noise issue


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Hi,

 

I was wondering whether anyone has had noise/static issues when using a magsafe adapter plug? Whenever I have my laptop plugged into the adapter (charging) I get a harsh static buzzing sound in my headphones. When i disconnect the charger, the noise goes away. I can't use the headphones to produce while also charging my MacBook, which is annoying as the charge goes down so fast, which then shortens my sessions.

 

Can anyone recommend a solution/hack around this?

 

Thanks

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It will only be a groundloop if you have multiple earths (caused by two mains powered devices connected via another cable to each other), but it read that you’re only using MacBook with headphones plugged in, is that correct? I.e. no other equipment going to mains is connected?

 

And my charger also looked EXACTLY like an official charger, came from a Mac ‘specialist’ and it was BS counterfeit junk, so be careful. Rub your hand down the lid when it’s charging and see if you get that furry/static feeling, it’s obvious when you know the feeling. When I complained to them they told me to ‘keep it’ and refunded me, so clearly they knew these were very good looking fakes which they’re making money on.

 

I still put in a complaint (via amazon marketplace) against them though.

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Ahhh ok, cheers for the info. Well I should of said, but I have an amp which the headphones are connected to, the amp is plugged into an extension cable along with the magsafe charger. So the extension goes to the mains socket. I've just tried something else and the problem is still there. i moved the magsafe charger to another mains socket on the other side of the room but the buzzing is still there. The buzzing only stops when I remove the charger from the MacBook.

 

So did you eventually get an official apple magsafe charger and did it solve the issue?

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Yeah it did, but in your case it could be something different. Your best option is how you had it originally with all mains connected equipment in the same extension socket as they can share a mains earth then.

 

Just to be clear, this Amp is a guitar amp i presume? And is that going into an external interface? i.e. can you isolate the amp and try headphones and laptop and laptop on there own to see if the noise is still there? And if this is a guitar related setup does holding the strings on the guitar lessen the noise? Or even plug it direct into the audio interface (not via amp).

 

It's hard to say without knowing your full setup really.

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Ah great news mate, will save your Mac too - those dodgy supplies can really do damage to a MacBook, some of them are just really unsafe too from a potential fire hazard, do yourself a favour and bin that old one.

 

As it's from a refurb there's no telling the legit ones from fakes easily.

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  • 9 months later...

I registered to this website to reply. I have a mid 2010 MacBook white as they call it. I have the same issue. It's the real Apple magsafe. Not a knock off, nor a refurbished, not that it should matter. I play guitar with an iRig, and Bias FX 2, and there's a nasty little buzz when the magsafe is connected. The moment I unplug it, bam, it's 100% perfect. I have a Mac mini 2010 and it's perfect, but wanted something portable. I don't understand why a new magsafe would potentially work for me, as apart from playing guitar I have no issues. You guys think it might still be worth getting a new magsafe? Something tells me it's the magnet that's causing interference / feedback.

 

PS: My magsafe is the 85w, and not the 60w that is shipped with the MacBook. Could that be the reason?

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No yours isn't the same issue, if the psu is solely to blame you would get the buzz whether guitar is plugged in or not.

 

If it's only occurring when a guitar is plugged in then something is causing interference via your pickups or a ground loop is occurring that's accentuated when placing amp sim on that signal.

 

What other mains powered devices are you using?

And doesn't he buzz lessen/go away when you hold the strings?

 

I had one guitar (Fender tele 72 deluxe) that would buzz when using AC power on mac book but not as bad on my mac pro. The only fix was to open it up and apply foil shielding inside.

 

So do what you can isolate what the cause is if possible, it can be really tricky with single coil guitars as they're inherently more noisy when applying gain.

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  • 3 months later...

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