Static sound in the system...?

[grant]

I'm recording table discussions of meetings for a organization. I've been having problems with some crackling and static noise. I've pretty much replaced all the equipment except my Mac (MBP) and its still giving me problems. So this leads me to think its my mac maybe?

Here is what it sounds like: (It happens maybe a dozen times within an hour, these are all edited back to back)
http://traviswilber.com/static.wav

It's nothing that I've ever really encountered. I'm using an AT2020 condenser mic and shure58, going to a Presonus Firebox that goes into my Macbook Pro. Like I said, all this equipment has replaced other mics and mixers that I was using, so it can't be that.

The static sound is completely random and happens maybe a dozen times within an hour of recording. When I turn the level down it will go away, but not immediately which makes me think it doesn't have much to do with the levels or gain and I don't even think that turning it down effects it. Usually it last for a few seconds. It also effects both inputs at the same time.

So could it be my computer? I'm using Ableton Live 6, but have used garageband and still gotten the same sound. My mac has been having some problems that I think are related to the ram. But I only got Ableton running and the CPU is running around 10% and peaks sometimes no more than 25% for a second.

The other thing is that I have everything plugged into a strip of four outlets that run along the counter that everything is set up on (there are four more on the other side of the wall and may all be on the same circut). Could this have anything to do with it?

Any ideas or suggestions would be great. If you need additional info ask. I'm pulling my hair out here. Thanks.

[newkid]

if you swapped out everything then that points to the mac
or an external source

are you sure people are not receivign cell phone messages even if on vibrate - they must be OFF
a cell phone within 10 feet of our cable box makes it go ballistic
and the box makes static noise on its own periodically too from the cable

how big is the table
how far away are the mikes from the people
any joker crumpling paper to drive you crazy ?

are you on the same circuit with a copy machine?

got any antivirus or other unwanted software running that could interfere?

any airport near you that could have a radar sweeping ?

have you tried different mikes?
have you tried a different interface?

noise problems can be hard to track down. good luck.

[boo]

Originally Posted by grant

I've pretty much replaced all the equipment except my Mac (MBP) and its still giving me problems. So this leads me to think its my mac maybe?

Have you really replaced all your equipment? Try taking out the 2020 and see if it still does it, then take out the 57.
Do you have access to another interface? Is this the second one you've tried? Are your drivers up to date? Have you replaced the firewire cable? It might be your mac, but I would try everything else in the chain first. A google search brought up threads of folks having static problems with the firebox.

[edub357]

check your power sources make sure you have a proper ground, u might be recieving interfierence, especially turn the phones off, at my job we use 2 way radios and if my phones in my pocket i get that buzzing sound. but always try to have the cleanest signal chain possible.