Best way to eliminate ground loop noise?

[gstaats]

When you say removed, what do you mean? Turned it off? Unplugged from wall? Disconnected everything from it?

You could reconnect one device at a time to the computer. Figure out which connection makes the noise come back.

Good advice - did you turn it off or completely unplug it?

 

[Peeved T-40]

When you say removed, what do you mean? Turned it off? Unplugged from wall? Disconnected everything from it?

You could reconnect one device at a time to the computer. Figure out which connection makes the noise come back.

I mean, literally removed. I'm fixing my desk so that's three monitors, the PC, My DAC and a few other things all unplugged and sitting in a pile

 

[Peeved T-40]

Some like Invalid Link Removed. If it was your PC, are you good with computers? It may be a crappy power supply in your PC. Using a true AVR UPS can reduce line noise as well by isolating loads from the AC line. You can also try and remove peripherals from the PC one at a time to see if it is something that is hooked up to it.

It has a Corsair RM 650x. Should be a perfectly fine power supply. Never had an issue with Corsair

 

[gstaats]

I mean, literally removed. I'm fixing my desk so that's three monitors, the PC, My DAC and a few other things all unplugged and sitting in a pile

What I would do is turn your amp on and leave it on - with no load. Plug the PC into the outlet. Does it buzz? If not, turn it on... Does it buzz? Only make one change, even if small, and listen 'till you get buzzed. When you find the buzzing, see if it is a single component, or, a combination of things.

 

[Peeved T-40]

What I would do is turn your amp on and leave it on - with no load. Plug the PC into the outlet. Does it buzz? If not, turn it on... Does it buzz? Only make one change, even if small, and listen 'till you get buzzed. When you find the buzzing, see if it is a single component, or, a combination of things.

What do I do when I find the culprit though?

 

[gstaats]

Depends on what the culprit is really.

 

[JKos]

What do I do when I find the culprit

Depends on what the culprit is really.

Exactly. If it's an audio cable connection, there are ground loop isolators for that. If it's a USB cable connection, there are ground loop isolators for those.

 

[1958Bassman]

My setup is extremely noisy. Hum comes through everything. My amp, my PC speakers, I even get hum when I run DI.

Is there a filter of some kind that can quiet down my setup?

The power supply may be fine WRT the power it provides for the computer, but it may emit a buttload of noise, which IS a problem in it or its design.

Try grounding the computer to the outlet- the case (if it's not a laptop) has plenty of screws that can be used. All of the equipment is supposed to be well-grounded, anyway.

If you want to find noise sources, you could use an old instrument pickup (non-humbucking) with a 1/4" plug on a shielded cable. Plug it into the amp and move it around the room- you'll know when you're getting close to the noise source.

 

[lark_z]

Do you have fluorescent lights in that room? They can be a problem.

 

[Jonny Reese]

So, bass straight to amp (and cab) with nothing else except power connected hums?

What is your housing environment? Do you or any of your neighbors have solar power?

I have a studio in my basement and my P and J basses are nearly unusable therein. Very frustrating. (Luckily my EBMM is my #1 anyway!)

I have solar and was curious if that might be the problem. Shutting the solar system off did nothing to abate the noise. Solar inverters are required by the utilities to provide a very clean output that matches the utility line power (voltage, frequency, wave form, etc.) to a very high standard.

 

[Ric5]

try shielding the bass

try reversing the + and - wiring from the pickups to the pots

check to make sure the ground wire is properly attached

try a different bass

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Go to your local hardware store and purchase a voltage tester ($5 - $10 max). It plugs in and tells you if your wall sockets are properly grounded and wired. Invalid Link Removed

Undo the DI for now, and does your amp have a polarity switch? Are your computers and bass rig on the same circuit?

Computers and monitors emit all kinds of noise and interference, especially if you're right on top of them.

You kind of tie your hands not being willing to remove any of the offending components.

Good luck,
Dirk

 

[Basslice]

It would help if you list all your equipment and how they are connected.

 

[themickster]

I lost my hum when running one head into another, by plugging the first into a DI box and plugging that into the balanced input on the other head.

 

[jw23mind]

Make sure to try separating non-audio devices by running off a different outlet (circuit) see if that helps. Because the more wire they share the more noise will be picked up.

 

[landrybass]

While it’s hard to say what’s causing your hum I’ve had similar issues. One time it was a bad power strip, swapped to a new one and it went away. One time it was half of an EMG P bass pickup failed, the internal ground or shielding somehow failed and I was picking up radio signals. I actually had a spare pickup and swapped it and fixed the problem, EMG warrantied the pickup too.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

You really need to hook everything up and turn them on one by one until you find the issue. Then we can help with the solution. It could be as simple as turning off the monitor on the right when you want to record. But you're on the right track.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

Go to your local hardware store and purchase a voltage tester ($5 - $10 max). It plugs in and tells you if your wall sockets are properly grounded and wired. Invalid Link Removed

Good luck,
Dirk

These don't check for a proper ground. You can tie the "ground" to neutral and it won't show an error.

 

[silky smoove]

Make sure to try separating non-audio devices by running off a different outlet (circuit) see if that helps.

This is good advice, but be aware that multiple outlets can be on the same circuit. If they're in the same room they commonly are all on the same circuit. Additionally, if the problem really is a grounding issue and the home was wired with multiple grounds or means of creating loops in the grounding then the problem will be even harder to deal with.

 

[fishdude101101]

The golden age of slapped-together housing divisions. It's most likely your home's grounding. At least that is where I'd start. Good luck!

Ain't that that truth. Vinyl siding right on top of house wrap on the studs. Cathedral ceilings with 2x4's on too wide of centers and no ties because everything must be open open open. Just cause its kinda new doesn't mean better.

People asked why we would buy a 90 year old house....Might need some tlc but I'll take the (real) 2x10 joists and rafters on 16 inch centers.