do ground loop isolators really work?

lowpass · Post by **lowpass** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:38 am

http://www.amazon.co.uk/High-quality-gr ... B000NVWB9O

was looking at this.

My problem is I am recording a mix from my dj mixer on the other side of the room into my interface. Both plugged into 2 different power sources (this cannot be avoided because of how my room is laid out)

I was wondering how to eliminate a ground loop I have going, some forum suggested a ground loop isolator and I was just wondering how well it works before I get one?

Also where in the signal chain would it go? from the mixer to the cable? or before it goes into the interface?

lowpass · Post by **lowpass** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:41 am

? is there any beter way to eliminate ground loops or am i good getting this?

deadly_habit · Post by **deadly_habit** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:07 am

power conditioner, but yea they work

lowpass · Post by **lowpass** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:42 pm

Cool so they won't degrade the sound at all?

cyderspace · Post by **cyderspace** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:32 pm

I think that if you are using a laptop, you can get one of those double shielded power supplies (the ones with the black plastic earth pin on the socket that goes into the wall). You could just disconnect one of the earth pins but this would be dangerous.

The problem is usually a circuit created by the earth connection and so you can sometimes solve it by plugging one thing into a different ring main using an extension - that is, if you are in a house say, usually the upstairs or the basement are on a different fuse on the main consumer unit. This is how I did it. Its not far in my house, so the cable just tucks in under the carpet.

I don't know how well the unit you describe works, but for me the problem was the speaker connection to my interface and I bought a set of balanced cables which I read would solve the problem and although they made it better, you could still hear the hum.

lowpass · Post by **lowpass** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:02 pm

cyderspace wrote:I think that if you are using a laptop, you can get one of those double shielded power supplies (the ones with the black plastic earth pin on the socket that goes into the wall). You could just disconnect one of the earth pins but this would be dangerous.

The problem is usually a circuit created by the earth connection and so you can sometimes solve it by plugging one thing into a different ring main using an extension - that is, if you are in a house say, usually the upstairs or the basement are on a different fuse on the main consumer unit. This is how I did it. Its not far in my house, so the cable just tucks in under the carpet.

I don't know how well the unit you describe works, but for me the problem was the speaker connection to my interface and I bought a set of balanced cables which I read would solve the problem and although they made it better, you could still hear the hum.

Not to insult your intelligence but were the balanced cables being connected via balanced connections? because i'm sure if they weren't then not much would hapen besides send the usual signal.

I'm not using a laptop its going from dj mixer to interface which is connected by firewire into a desktop computer

caunterstrike · Post by **caunterstrike** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:14 pm

ground loop insulators are amazing!

deadly_habit · Post by **deadly_habit** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:23 am

Lowpass wrote:Cool so they won't degrade the sound at all?

nope, but if you're hooking up loads of gear i'd say get some power conditioners when they're on sale

lowpass · Post by **lowpass** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 7:04 am

Deadly Habit wrote:
Lowpass wrote:Cool so they won't degrade the sound at all?
nope, but if you're hooking up loads of gear i'd say get some power conditioners when they're on sale

Okay thanks, maybe a stupid question but would all of my gear have to be plugged into the conditioner for there to be no problems? or could some be in the others be out and there still be no ground loop?

Also where do you reckon I could pick up a cheap one for, they seem pretty pricey?

deadly_habit · Post by **deadly_habit** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:32 am

Lowpass wrote:
Deadly Habit wrote:
Lowpass wrote:Cool so they won't degrade the sound at all?
nope, but if you're hooking up loads of gear i'd say get some power conditioners when they're on sale
Okay thanks, maybe a stupid question but would all of my gear have to be plugged into the conditioner for there to be no problems? or could some be in the others be out and there still be no ground loop?

Also where do you reckon I could pick up a cheap one for, they seem pretty pricey?

ideally everything, but might get away with building it up over time
just keep your eyes peeled for sales man
just snagged a 350$ unit for 85$ at work somehow

scooterjack · Post by **scooterjack** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 5:07 pm

Loads of live sound cats selling off their gear around here, power conditioners for cheap everywhere... might give craigslist in your area a lookthrough.

but, yeah, ground loop isolators work, i use one for a small issue at home

do ground loop isolators really work?

do ground loop isolators really work?

Who is online