6 simple and cheap ways to fix hum, buzz and ground loop noise
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- Опубліковано 31 лип 2024
- Hey! Since I made this video, I've more than doubled the number of tips and ideas for solving these issues - these and more can be found in my ever expanding book, available to the good people who make this channel possible on Patreon:
► / loopop
This ground loop isolator is getting good reviews on Amazon:
► amzn.to/2CfYvZk
NOTE: Only use balanced (TRS) cables for instruments that have balanced inputs AND outputs, otherwise it won't work well and may degrade the quality of your sound
If you're getting noise because of a USB cable connected to your instrument, a USB isolator might do the trick. There are a few of these, here's one I tested - it's on the expensive side but has interesting connectivity options:
► apos.audio/products/topping-h...
If all else fails, use a DI box. In general - use a passive box for a powered source (synths), and an active box for a passive source (guitar with magnetic pickups). Here's a good one passive DI box:
► amzn.to/2Pzgqmb
For non-audio cable noise like ethernet or USB - Get a ferrite choke here (remember: no choking any ferrets!!):
► amzn.to/2RNRSTr
Audacity is free and awesome:
► bit.ly/Get-Audacity
After making this video I tried out Brusfri from Klevgrand and it's highly recommended:
► bit.ly/Brusfri
Here's a link to Noise Remover from Accusonos:
► bit.ly/NoiseRemover)
And their bundle is also quite interesting:
► bit.ly/AccusonusBundle
Finally, you can also try out RX 7:
► bit.ly/RX7Elements
Timeline:
0:00 Intro
0:20 Use one outlet
0:50 Balanced gear
1:30 Isolators
2:30 Ferrite chokes
3:10 Using filters
3:35 Advanced tools
Other places I hang out:
► Web: loopopmusic.com
► Facebook: / loopopmusic
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► Twitter: / loopopmusic
My music:
► Bandcamp: loopop.bandcamp.com
► Spotify: bit.ly/LoopopOnSpotify
► Apple Music:bit.ly/LoopopOnAppleMusic
Want to email me personally?
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.
Hey! Since I made this video, I've more than doubled the number of tips and ideas for solving these issues - these and more can be found in my ever expanding book, available to the good people who make this channel possible on Patreon - www.patreon.com/loopop
One of the Best Ideas of Sound Absorbing is "SoundProof Curtains" That Stops Outside Noise by 80% (25 Db) Tested. Check Here: livesoundproof.com/best-soundproof-curtains/
hey, i have a terrible random "coil whine" in my speakers, can the isolator showed at 1:30 solve this ??? this high pitched whistling makes me crazy and could kill a dog's ears lol
Great tips! I got one more.
If one of your rack equipment produces hum when connected, check if it's not touching other pieces of gear in the same rack and is properly isolated from a rack rails (properly painted for example). Just take it out of the rack while connected to see if the hum disappears. Most of the gear's earth is connected to the enclosures and if enclosures touch each other in some cases, ground loop may appear.
I first watched this video about a year ago, which definitely helped me identify the source of some of my frustrations.
I finally just replaced all the outlets in my studio, re-grounded all outlets on the circuit that feeds my studio, and installed GFCI outlets on the most upstream point. I've also run insulated conduit to act as both cable management and power/data/audio cable isolation. I've added ferrite cores to all my USB cables and run voltage tests on all my audio and power cabling. This has allowed me to completely remove ground loop isolators and post-recording phase reversal filtering from my process.
Short of a master power conditioner and UPS hard wired into my space, I've cleaned my entire electrical path as much as possibleand it sounds fantastic.
You are an absolute legend! One and a half minutes in and our sound issues are now solved! Thank you for your very comprehensive video :)
As always, the best tutorials on the web !
Thank you so much for showing the actual soundwaves. So often on videos like this you just watch somebody listening to a difference and giving a subjective opinion.
If all videos about tech are that quality I’ll watch them all day long like a football match without getting bored..
It’s valuable interesting well documented and very well filmed and done ... 1000000000 thumbs up!
Thanks for that knowledgeable fun moment.
Thanks!
😂😂😂
ground loop iso worked "magically" just as you said my friend. thanks a ton!
Thanks for the tip about the shared power. I have my audio setup plugged into a different power source since it's far away from my computer. I couldn't figure out what was causing the hum on my setup and it was slowly driving me crazy. I even bought some of those grounding devices and it didn't help. Who knew something as simple as plugging everything to the same power source can solve this issue!
Good tips. My ground noise usually is my sampling input cable not connected to a sampling source. Sometimes it's too much Sustain and i panic, turning everything down but then realise it's Sustain.
Thanks. So clear explanation and helpful. I like the way you talk and describe
Thanks for pointing me to right direction. Had some really annoying cracks and beeps when recording my amp line-out. Bought a $0.20 separation transformer from Ali and sticked it into a plastic casing, making quite a beefy jack plug. No need for fancy boxes or magical cables.
So i choked all of my ferrets and i’m still having ground loop issues. Help.
Look at these brands for legal solutions:
Kaytee Fiesta and ZuPreem
Did you use the beads while choking?
One of the Best Ideas of Sound Absorbing is "SoundProof Curtains" That Stops Outside Noise by 80% (25 Db) Tested. Check Here: livesoundproof.com/best-soundproof-curtains/
No no no -- your ferrets are supposed to do the choking.
better than ground hog issues
Yay, +1 for vcv-rack fundamental scope. great content too!
I love your fantastic videos my man.
The tutorial I was looking for Thanks! YES.
This was incredibly helpful. Thank you!
Helpful video, props for using VCV Rack.
That notch filter trick really did some magic for me.
How do you use that plugin? Which settings?
thank you for this vid, this is great presentation and easy to follow
It took me precisely one video to realise that this guy is absolute no-bullshit legit!
Thank you. This helped to fix a ground loop I was hearing at uni.
Excellent advise no matter the size of your system
thanks!! plugging in my krk rokit5 and rokit sub woofer into the same power bar as my pc fixed the ground hissing noise...
great video layout and presentation with simple, clear, easy to digest and expertly laid out explanation of possible problems and fixes!!!
your calm, clear voice and confident explanation is perfect for this venue of helping everyday people find answers to everyday problems and the confidence to fix them... great job!
YOU said it perrrfectly
loopop once again being a lifesaver. this popped up thanks to the algorithm and my usb2 connection hum was driving me wild. Well, ferrite choke here I come.
thanks and note ferrite choke solve data noise not hum! use the other solution I mentioned for audible noise
@@loopop you're definitely right! it was a mix of using the same plug and the ferret strangler I mean the ferrite choke. I owe you so much. thank you for being awesome!
Thanks for the informative video. Isolators sound good to my case.
VERY INFORMATIVE VIDEO. THANK YOU!
Informative like always!
Very interesting indeed...
I love what he stated, "Still cheaper than a Time Machine" :-)
very insightful, thanks!
Loopop, you are a very cool guy. Love your videos and technical explanations man. Thank you.
Sir, you are a lifesaver!
Thank you for your video.
Thank you Sir for this very informative video. The ground isolator saved the day for me.
This is great info. My scarlet has been giving me grief and I don't think it's the Scarlett. I have my PC plugged into a surge protector instead of straight into the wall. Also, I think I'll definitely try the ground isolator. I use RX8 for declicking, and use Audition CC to do a noise floor clean up, but I feel I should be clearing -72 db for all the room treatment before I clean up noise floor. ugh.
Thank you for this, it got me thinking in the right direction. I have a computer speaker that is USB powered, when it was plugged into my desktop computer's USB port it made an annoying sound. To fix that I plugged it into a USB to AC adapter for charging a cell phone (5V 3A). And now the speaker works as it should.
Thanks for the tip man. Just curious, how were you able to connect the speaker to your computer if the USB connection is lost via the adapter?
@@LukeSly91 USB *powered*.
So im back here on this video I watched like 1 hour ago. And I just want to say: THANK YOU SO MUCH! I had everything I needed already. I just set this up wrong. After I watched this video i started from scratch. And ta-da: Ground Noise is gone! Thank you so much!
BTW: I had 2 "misstakes". 1. I had it on 2 different outputbanks (Thats the first solution in the video). Helped a lot. But i still had a bit ground noise left. I figured it out, that this came from my Arturia MicroFreak. I found a solution where someone mentioned to use only the usb for the power. Not the DC-Connector that is included. And now i had complete silence when i had every gear powered up and connected. Silence :D. Thank you!
thank you!! a ground loop isolator solved it for me!
Thanks you a lot professor Loopop!
Life saver! Thanks so much!
Am gonna try the ground loop isolator.
and then..?
All my devices are on the same outlet. Get lots of hum sending audio to and from 2 pc's and through a mixer. If i connect all chassis of items i am using will this eliminate the ground loop?
Loved the info and random wordplay humor. Thank you.
For me, making a part of the connection wireless may dispose of the hum without trading off too much delay. YMMV. :-)
Example: going wireless from my guitar into my old Zoom 505 pedal was an impressive improvement.
great vid!
I have a problem with my external amp...which I add to avr system...I noticed that if I unplug the hdmi arc from my avr..the noice desaper...how to fix this?
Thank you.
thank you good hints!
Thanks for your informative video. If you’ve got loads of gear (but are still an amateur) should you daisy chain extension leads into one socket then?
Over time I accumulated multiple and various power supplies (6 PowerOne Analog 4 to 8 amp, 9 Tiptop Bricks feeding Zeus distributors and 2 DIY) which accumulated multiple and various electrical noise and odd intermittent behavior. After noticing surprising voltage differences between ground on the MOTM cabs vs Eurorack cabs I read up on it and solved my issues by running a very thick copper ground to all said power supplies grounds. This was many years ago, but it made a huge difference. Another issue that's snuck up on me are modules that are starved for power. Modules will still function but if there's not enough surplus amps to draw on it can leave you wondering wtf. I have ammeters installed .. there cheap and provide a quick reassuring check.
Thank you! I just bought a prophet 10 and all the usb cables I’ve tried gives an annoying digital hum that is prominent in my recordings only when usb is plugged in. I’m going to try a Ferrite choke. Would you suggest a cable with them built in or the beads? Wish they sent with this kind of cable or at least mentioned it in the manual.
I've had some trouble understanding the kinds of cables to use for either stereo or mono, and some weird problems surface when I just guess. For instance, on my 0-Coast synth, it has a 1/8 inch audio out so I need to use a 1/4 inch adapter on one end so I can plug it into my mixer. When I use a TS adapter, the signal comes through loud and clear, but for some reason when I use a TRS adapter, it's very weak and can barely be heard even when I crank the volume and gain way up. My mixer does accept either balanced or unbalanced cables on its inputs, so I'm not sure what to make of this...
Is there a difference between the 3.5mm ground loop isolator you used and a ground lift on a DI box? My Novation Circuit is outputting noise almost identical to your example, and a DI with lift wouldn't fix it.
A ground loop isolator is very different from ground lift. Ground loops are voltage inequalities between the two circuits that are in contact with one another. A ground loop isolator tries to fix that inequality using transformers.
What if the monitor were plugged into a separate outlet that the laptop I’m using to record?
And can a monitor broadcast RF into my mic’s TRRS line?
PS I installed Ferrite beads on the power cable to my laptop, the mic cable, AND the headphones. But it didn’t seem to help. I can use a noise filter but it introduces a slight latency into the audio when live streaming.
nice one - can also recommend the cheaper plugin; Brusfri from klevgrand
I have a small but distracting crackle in my HS7s coming through a Scarlett 2i2. A couple of these suggestions seem like good possible solutions. Cheers.
I had a crackle (repeating pattern, short "buzz" every second or half) in my Scarlett 2i2 too and it turned out to be the USB cable coming from a USB hub. Once I plugged the Scarlett directly into my Mac, the noise was gone! I might try some ferrit cores around some USB cables now.
Man, I didn't even realize using one wall outlet for everything helps with ground loop issues. I'm gonna try that this weekend.
In my case it was a broken line input on my audio interface. It has an audible hum even when the input level is turned down. Focusrite Scarlett 18i10 2nd gen
Holy shit! I finally got rid of most of the damn hum! In my case, it helped to plug my monitor into the same power strip as my speakers.
Thank you
cool edit pro has an amazing noise reduction that profiles and removes hiss and hum.
This is a great video, mate. Would TRS cables work with guitar amplifiers and pedals? (I get ground loop noises because the amps are plugged into different outlets, due to practicality).
There is loud sound from the amplifier/speakers when the fan switch is turned on/off. Any suggestions?
Hi! My power amp has a ground lift button that magically removed the issue I had with chinch cables. This is a hand made high class power amp for 2,500 €, should I expect any drawbacks in sound quality? The instruction manual didn't say that it would affect anything.
I have a good question why do they make audio interfaces with a different outlet ? And is allunimum a good temporary fix ?
Hi, I have hum problem in my portable broadcast system when I get external XLR (Canon) cable from different team. Using cable equalizer circuit such as VDA (video distribution amplifier) can solve my problem?
Ground loop hum often happens in houses because with split phase wiring one must work to balance the legs to keep a voltage off of the neutral. It has *nothing* to do with the ground, so removing the grounding lug is not likely to fix the problem, and more likely to create an electrocution hazard. In cases where it does make a difference, that's because the ground line was returning current to ground in a "bootleg ground" situation. The problem here is that if someone touches an ungrounded chassis with one hand, and a grounded one with another, the voltage can be just right to stop ones heart. Far more effective to either hire an electrician, or learn to inspect your home wiring yourself if you have sufficient training. Another solution is to have a "balanced power" circuit installed for audio / video gear where ground loops are a problem. In the US this requires using gear at 240V or getting a step-down transformer. (I used a Furman AVR that takes 240V in and puts out 120V regulated, until I replaced it with a double conversion UPS that synthesizes the local AC so there can be no ground loops. Both are expensive, pro solutions.)
Ferrite is very ineffective at line frequencies, so it's really only used to block radio frequencies. Ferrite chokes can be very effective in keeping high frequencies out of a system when used properly. Most VGA monitors had one at the end of the cable because they had three coaxial cables to carry the video signal to the monitor. Coax is unbalanced, so the shield is also a conductor, and RF inside the room can induce a voltage on the shield and enter the system. A ferrite choke absorbs the energy first. People who didn't know how it worked started putting ferrite on everything, thinking it would be a magic bullet, but it was a wasted effort. Recently I ran into a situation where every time someone talked on their radio, the SDI video signal to my monitor would go out. SDI uses coax, so I got an old ferrite bead that someone had put on a computer keyboard and put it on the SDI cable where it connected to my monitor. Problem solved!
No reason why that balun should invert the signal. Chances are it was wired up the wrong way. But there's a use for the polarity invert switch on some audio gear.
Every bit of my audio power requirements go through a 2500 watt 1:1 transformer for complete isolation. Also for when I need to repair a any devices that are shipped from the UK, the output is married to the input to provide twice the voltage, but you lose that isolation feature.
Mikiness Analog could you expand on what type of transformer you’re using? I’m having noise issues and it sounds like your solution could be worth a try. Thanks in advance!
In my case: active speakers connected to PC via DAC (toslink) and hiss. First way solved it - speakers were connected to other power boards - plugin into same solved my problem. Simple. Thanks
I just bought a ferret but he just chewed over my cables.
But I changed the driver for the sound on my PC, so I got that going for me witch is nice.
hi bro, i have many amps connected together. is there any machine i can use to produce higher KVA apart from generator ????
Timeline on video description doesn't work on mobile
0:20 Use one outlet
0:50 Balanced gear
1:30 Isolators
2:30 Ferrite chokes
3:10 Using filters
3:35 Advanced tools
So wait, how do I use the ground loop iso with studio monitors exactly? Or even with headphones but via an interface. How?
Another thing which you didn't mention is to lift the ground (pin 1 on an XLR) on one end of a balanced cable. Don't do this on a mic cable though. Mic cables need all 3 connections.
I currently have a shureSM7B hooked up to my GoXLR Mini (used powered). Im getting a strange buzzing sound from the mic but every time i touch the mic or the mic arm it goes completely. I think this is a grounding issue. Any idea how I can resolve this?
when I turn on phantom with my condenser mic connected, it makes a sharp white noise at 6-11khertz frequency area, even when the gain is completely zero, the noise still persists. and the nosie changes (doesn't stop) when I wiggle the usb connected to my pc io from the Audio interface.
How do I fix this?
I have an XLR mic plugged into a Focusrite interface. Some times I get these deep hums, they'll a little bit lower than 60 hz. Like 58. I think it happened when the cable got near my HDMI cable. Is that normal? I though XLR would guarantee no noise
Anyone notice his tables woodgrain looks like the output from an oscillator?
@Sound Speeds 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter connected to headset of phone , then to 3.5mm to 1/4 phono (,mono) then inserted to mixer using aux send and mic input,, ,, dial does not hum but when you try to dial a number, a loud humming comes up,,, how do I fix this ?
is it normal to hear a humm sound when trying to use a stereo Line Mixer? Recenertly bought a Minimix 2 so i can hook it up to my tv for i can Use my Roku and my computer for my headphones. The isolator helped a bunch then i tried connecting a second isolator to a different channel and got a hum again. Any reason why that happened?
how about noise from RF interference like smartphone cell or wifi signal? how to remove it? is it ground loop really help for it?
Quick Question, did you insert the ground loop isolator in Microphone chain (Mic -> Groundloop Isolator-> PC / Audio-Interface ) or in the Output Chain (PC -> Groundloop Isolator -> Monitoring)?
when I pass my Input Audio trough the Isolator, I do net get any Signal on the otherside.
I am working on a western electric phono 1 tube amp, I was told to change the rectifier to a diode, i get a buzz, should i griound the diode.
I've tried some ground loop isolators and noticed a loss in the lows and highs. Low frequency sounds like bass and drums tended to get muddy and less punchy. When I see that a single good audio transformer from lehle or neutric costs 40+, I don't thing a 10 buck stereo one can have nearly the same quality.
I have a new problem on a previously quiet setup. It now makes a low hiss / crackle / whine from only my right monitor and only when connected to the internet (basically non stop) and it gets worse when actively downloading. Similar to a dial up sound, I seem to be able to hear the downloading process happening, which is rather annoying. I can't find any info because it's all about ground loops.
I already run balanced cables through a ground lift and it worked perfectly for years. Anyone ever deal with a similar problem?
I use a Mac 2012 and I record through Logic Pro X and I used my Nord electro to record and the audio was fine however when I used my motif xf8 it had a ground loop sound. I tried plugging everything into one outlet and I’ve tried the “TPS” cables still no change
Thank you so much! I have this weird 'Bzzzz'-sound + hum going on with my high gain guitar signal. My building lies right next to a city tram line and so the power cables are grounded/connected to the building which I thought might be the main reason. In the backyard of the building there is a wall of fans, and I noticed that part of the hum/interference is exactly the same tone/frequency as the acoustic sound of the fans! Is it possible that these fans generate some kind of magnetic field that bleeds in to the signal? I wonder if I could send you an .mp3 of it to get your opinion... It's so sad that I cant record high gain guitars without getting that hum... 😵
Humbucking pickups - or the “in between” position on a strat might reduce the problem a lot (using two pickups can work like a humbucker). If that doesn’t work try a gate or noise remover. You can also try a DI box. But don’t forget gain is the ultimate amplifier of noise too...
Thanks
No. 3 works amazing on my IK UNO
I have power filters and noise generated by my computer on boot up is sending signals into my speaker/amplifier. My power bar blocks out EMI and RFI signals. My computer is also plugged into a power filter. They are plugged into power filters from two seperate outlets but used to be plugged into the same filter from the same outlets with the same problem. I heard disabling some power setting in the bios may resolve this which I am still trying to figure out. If any of you have any suggestions let me know. The noise is coming out of my guitar amplifier speaker without the guitar plugged in. Its a waving high pitch frequency that only occurs with my PC booted up. In the bios or turned off I have no issues. Thanks for reading.
I think that im over thinking this. But I really want to eliminate the noise floor in my equipment. Using ferrite core beads and quality cables will help. But I feel like I need to identify what is causing the problem in the first place. Like various appliances throughout the home could be the cause. If anyone has advice for me that might help. It would be greatly appreciated.
Can someone please help me?
I unfortunately have to use one outlet. I have extension cable coming from this outlet in which is plugged my TV and PC. To my PC I have connected audio interface via USB. When I try recording with microphone there is a terrible humming sound.
I already found out that my TV is causing ground loop (when I plug it out, the humming decreases), but is there a way to isolate it, but still keep everything plugged in the same power outlet?
lol i just unplugged my phone chargef, nd it worked the noise stopped, thank u so much
My pleasure ;)
Can you guys please help? When I plug the mic into my audio interface I get a buzzing noise, I can't record anything with it. All electronics are plugged into a single outlet (just like the one on the video), the USB cable of the audio interface has a ferrite choke. I don't know if the ground loop filter will fix it, can I use it with a mic cable? I've used the interface on a laptop and the buzz was gone, so it must be my PC. I also get an electric shock when I touch metal parts connected to the PC.
Izotope RX7 is a really good tool to remove noise, just sample the noise and apply that fingerprint to your audio and voila !
the background noise in 1:50 is exactly what I am getting in my speaker when it is plugged into my dj controller without any music playing. What's the best solution for this? thanks!!
What about a GLI that functions with a TRRS cable? I use a TRRS to carry a mic signal from a gaming headset to my USB PD docking station which has a 3.5mm combo port. I can’t find a solution! The headset’s power comes from the ps4 usb port. Should I run an extension cable so the DS’s power source is the same outlet as the PS4?
On the net i found out that if u use a powered usb hub it may get rid of the usb ground loop noise, can you confirm?
Need help I bought the ground loop the hummings stopped but now the audio is very quiet on max.
I only get that high pitch squeal when I turn on my phantom power on my interface. Any idea why that is?
Thank u
Is the noise exclusively on the recorded audio from the interface and nowhere else? What interface and what microphone are you using?
I get a low frequency humming sound from my headphones when I touch my motorized desk while it's plugged in. However if I simultaneously touch the metal part of a synthesizer or the computer case, it goes away.
My solution has been to use a big, thick mouse pad on the desk so I avoid touching it directly. Not sure if I'm having a ground loop issue or some other problem, the noise doesn't sound like in this video, it's much lower in frequency. The audio interface and desk use 2-pronged plugs that are not grounded, while the computer and many other pieces of gear on the desk use proper grounded plugs so I suppose "ground" isn't universal across devices...