# Loud screach noise **URL:** \ **Category:** Qu Troubleshooting\ **Created:** [18 October 2026 00:42 UTC](https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/loud-screach-noise/33166 "2026-10-18T00:42:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sweep1976](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Sweep1976](https://forums.allen-heath.com/u/Sweep1976)\ **Post date:** [18 October 2026 00:42 UTC](https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/loud-screach-noise/33166/1 "2026-10-18T00:42:29Z")
Hi I am using a qu-24 and from time to time I get this loud screeching noise, almost like the noise an old dial up router makes. I am using the desk in live music situations with signal coming via an analog snake. The noise comes out the speakers but no clue what channel is causing it….. The snake was serviced last year, could it be a loose xlr causing the problem or is it something more sinister with the desk?? ---
**Author:** ![SQuser](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.allen-heath.com/squser/32/1200_2.png) [@SQuser](https://forums.allen-heath.com/u/SQuser)\ **Post date:** [18 October 2026 11:07 UTC](https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/loud-screach-noise/33166/2 "2026-10-18T11:07:48Z")
> [@Sweep1976](#): > > no clue what channel is causing it If you suspect that the disturbances originate from one or more input channels - and because you are unable to pinpoint them due to their apparently very brief duration - one option would be to stream the channels to a PC and record them there. You could then examine the recordings at your leisure after such an event occurs to determine the underlying cause. ---
**Author:** ![steffenromeiss](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.allen-heath.com/steffenromeiss/32/2684_2.png) [@steffenromeiss](https://forums.allen-heath.com/u/steffenromeiss)\ **Post date:** [18 October 2026 11:49 UTC](https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/loud-screach-noise/33166/3 "2026-10-18T11:49:20Z")
> [@Sweep1976](#): > > I am using the desk in live music situations with signal coming via an analog snake. Is there any digital connection used? USB, AES3? Is there an audio interface for connection to a computer used on the stage? ---
**Author:** ![Sweep1976](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Sweep1976](https://forums.allen-heath.com/u/Sweep1976)\ **Post date:** [18 October 2026 14:34 UTC](https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/loud-screach-noise/33166/4 "2026-10-18T14:34:04Z")
No, I’m not using any digital at all. The stage snake is an analogue that probably needs servicing again, would that cause noise issues?? ---
**Author:** ![mikec](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@mikec](https://forums.allen-heath.com/u/mikec)\ **Post date:** [18 October 2026 17:04 UTC](https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/loud-screach-noise/33166/5 "2026-10-18T17:04:05Z")
Multitrack recording is a good idea. How often does it do it…every few minutes or one time a night? Does it do it regardless of what inputs are connected to mixer on a show? If it happens on a kind of regular basis maybe set and stare at the mixer till it happens or set up and do a video recording look for a channel that is most likely peaking, disconnect the snake and see if anything changes. During testing it may not hurt to turn the amps down some running the speakers! With reasonable care snake cables don’t just wear out, that said if it’s a cheap knock off with no name connectors and 28ga cable then maybe so. What brand is the snake cable? If the connector are wired with pin 1 tied to the shell body of the connector that can cause noise issues, I’ve many ebay special mic cables wired that way. ---
**Author:** ![SQuser](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.allen-heath.com/squser/32/1200_2.png) [@SQuser](https://forums.allen-heath.com/u/SQuser)\ **Post date:** [18 October 2026 18:55 UTC](https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/loud-screach-noise/33166/6 "2026-10-18T18:55:09Z")
> [@Sweep1976](#): > > The stage snake is an analogue that probably needs servicing again It sounds unusual also to me that a “snake” would require (regular) maintenance - unless it were being used under extreme conditions, such as underwater or in the hot sand of a desert. Otherwise, it likely isn’t really the right one for its intended purpose. > [@Sweep1976](#): > > this loud screeching noise, almost like the noise an old dial up router makes. It might be helpful to record the noise (perhaps using a mobile phone) and provide a link to it here.