Clean power for preamps...

[billisa]

I've heard about not using different outlets for different pieces of equipment -- thereby avoiding hum. Question: I have two VTB1's (that don't have power switches). Right now they are plugged into the same powerstrip/surge protector as all my other gear. But this means when I only want to power up my recorder, the VTB1's still get turned on. So, If I plug them into a secondary power strip that is then plugged into the main power strip/surge protector powering everything else, is that still getting all the power off the same line? My guess is, it is, but I'd like to be sure.

 

[BlindCowboy]

Ouch...

1. Unless your studio has power fed to it from several different sources (Electric Company, Generator, Secondary lines, UPS systems, etc..) then all power outlets are being supplied by the same power source. Even if you have more than one source available, only one can feed a line at a time. Making it impossible to have two sources feed down the same line, and have one feed one powerstrip, and the other source sneak through, find the one plug in the 5+ plug strip that has your secondary power strip plugged in, and feed that one.

Meaning: Yes you can plug a second power strip into you first power strip and use the on/off button for your VTB1s.

Though the power is an issue, the true issue is grounding. If your recepticle is not appropriately grounded to a grounding rod, then you'll get problems. Most people say to plug into the same outlet to avoid problems. This is based on the primary outlet not having problems. You can plug into any outlet on the same circuit that is properly grounded to the same ground point without issue. That means you can use that second plug on the wall instead of daisy chaining a bunch of power strips.

Incidently, if you overload a wall connector, your risking more than a little hum. Feel the plug that is attached to the wall. If it's warm, or hot, you need to space your stuff out onto other lines. Otherwise boom.

Blind Cowboy...

 

[Flatpicker]

I've heard about not using different outlets for different pieces of equipment -- thereby avoiding hum. Question: I have two VTB1's (that don't have power switches). Right now they are plugged into the same powerstrip/surge protector as all my other gear. But this means when I only want to power up my recorder, the VTB1's still get turned on. So, If I plug them into a secondary power strip that is then plugged into the main power strip/surge protector powering everything else, is that still getting all the power off the same line? My guess is, it is, but I'd like to be sure.

Yes, you should be fine.

The problem occurs when the outlets are a few feet or more apart. This creates a "ground loop" which causes hum.

It’s called a “loop” because the ground from one piece of gear goes out the AC line cord into the outlet, through the ground wire to the other outlet, then out another AC line cord and into the second piece of gear. The “loop” is completed when you connect those two pieces of gear together via an audio cable of some type.

When each piece of gear is connected into the same outlet, the “loop” isn’t as big and is therefore less of a problem.

By the way, you don’t have to worry about this if your gear uses wall-warts since they don’t connect a “ground” to the outlet.

 

[billisa]

Re: Re: Clean power for preamps...

Yes, you should be fine... By the way, you don’t have to worry about this if your gear uses wall-warts since they don’t connect a “ground” to the outlet.

Thanks for all the help and assurances. Actually, I have 4 wall-warts and only one straight plug (from my Fostex)!