eliminating ground loops (hum)

[dusten]

I'm looking for a solution to the problem of having a reasonably loud humming noise whenever I plug a 1/4" guitar cord into my sblive! platinum front panel.

Does anybody know how this might be eliminated? I've tried everything from moving my computer to the location of my speakers and instrument.

Any help appreciated.

 

[jake-owa]

Try turning off your monitor....it works like magic if you have a tube screen.

 

[M.Brane]

http://www.rane.com/note151.html

 

[dusten]

Remarkably i've tried the monitor thing. I do have a CRT Tube screen. Anybody else to offer any other hints?

 

[Layla Nahar]

Somebody here told me to get a hum eliminator

cost me 50+ but it was well worth it. Its about twice the size of a deck of cards, so you could take it to gigs, too.

"Ebtech" makes one

 

[TexRoadkill]

What input are you plugging it into? I don't think the SBlive has an instrument preamp but I could be wrong. Your probably having to boost the gain way up and just getting an all around crappy signal.

 

[dusten]

hmmm

you're probably right. So you're saying if I have the artist take his amp with him and run the cord out from the amp into the card, it might work better?!!?!? I think I might just give that a try.

Thanks.

 

[kid klash]

You've got a ground loop because the PC and the guitar amp both have earth grounds (three pin AC cords and plugs). Disabling the earth ground on one of the units can be VERY dangerous, and potentially lethal, but it will probably eliminate the hum. Don't do this.

A safer thing to try is unsolder the shield on one end of your 1/4" cable... this will "lift" the ground between the two devices, and eliminate the hum. If it still hums when you connect the two devices, reverse the cable so the unsoldered end is plugged into the other device.

 

[dusten]

very very interesting..... i might look into that.

 

[mixsit]

Also, keeping everyting on the same power source helps reduce ground loops. Sometimes plugs in a room are fed from different breakers back at the panel.
Wayne

 

[Lord_GalAthon]

Feed your microphone to any other device BEFORE the soundcard. Anything. I use a Turbo Overdrive OD-2 pedal and just leave it on off. It'll clear the noise right out.

PS you'll still need batteries or an adapter on your pedal for this to work.

 

[dusten]

awesome!

best advice yet. I tried it and it works!! you rule.

 

[Lord_GalAthon]

Re: awesome!

best advice yet. I tried it and it works!! you rule.

No prob bro.