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Author Topic: The Dreaded Ground Loop  (Read 2847 times)

ampacione

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The Dreaded Ground Loop
« on: January 22, 2010, 12:15:06 pm »
I apparently have a ground loop problem somewhere in my studio. Anyone had this problem and solved it?  I've heard of a few solutions, but wanted to see how any of you may have worked around it.

thanks!
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mac

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Re: The Dreaded Ground Loop
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2010, 12:33:25 pm »
It bothered me really bad for quite a while. Turned out, power supply/transformer for the computer screen was the cause. Got rid of the noise/interference in speakers as soon as I plugged the screen into a non-grounded extension cord. Let me know if you need more info on my "problem" and how I have everything hooked up.

Check following link as well. Seems like an in-depth info about ground loops and how to get rid of them:

http://www.epanorama.net/documents/groundloop/

hope that helps,
bests

moodchannel

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Re: The Dreaded Ground Loop
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2010, 12:21:03 pm »
It bothered me really bad for quite a while. Turned out, power supply/transformer for the computer screen was the cause.

I had this exact same problem in the past.  I solved it with a new power supply as it was the external type.

ampacione

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Re: The Dreaded Ground Loop
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2010, 01:07:03 pm »
Ok I managed to pinpoint the problem. Apparently dimmer switches in older homes can cause similar problems. I switched out the dimmer for a standard one. Everything is cool now, thanks for everyones suggestions!
 
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tenandtracer

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Re: The Dreaded Ground Loop
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2010, 03:45:26 am »
For me the following few steps have solved the problem every time I've had it:

1. Switch gear / computers / monitors to different circuits (if it's possible - if you're like me, you're in a house built a century ago and there is only one circuit for everything and you have to unplug the fridge, the light in the garage, the aquarium and the neighbor's LED-porch-light-extravaganza in order to get a decent recording)

2. Get a ground lift, but don't be silly about it - be careful with your expensive gear (you've probably hardly paid the interest on it and that insurance scam only works once). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_lift

3. Use a ground loop isolator/isolation transformer

4. Attend way too many techno shows until that particular range of hearing is severely damaged for a reasonable amount of time.  (Refine your optimum ratio of time enduring bad techno / duration of the damaged hearing - do not listen to (you know who/what) for one hour, only to gain a mere five minutes without that awful ground loop)

Sorry for the jokes - spent the night reading on homeoboxes.  It's not what you think, unless you're thinking it is what it actually is.

andreasn

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Re: The Dreaded Ground Loop
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2010, 09:47:32 am »
Ground lifts are illegal and deadly. If there is a fault and someone happens to touch the faulty gear, they'll be the ground rod. Bzzzz..

edit: the above was for power cables. lifting ground on audio cables is not dangerous as such, but the issue can usually be solved through other means!
« Last Edit: January 27, 2010, 09:49:05 am by andreasn »

tenandtracer

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Re: The Dreaded Ground Loop
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2010, 04:14:16 pm »
Anything can be illegal or deadly with enough imagination.