Headphone Distribution Amp

[Wadge]

Hi,

In my band, most of the musicians are on Wired in Ears. The set up is as follows:

Presonus 24.4.2 board and a Behringer HA4700 distribution amp. AUX 1 and 2 from the board are connected via Y cable (2 mono jacks to stereo Jack) into the AUX input 1 of the Behringer. AUX 3 and 4 from the Presonus go to AUX 2 of the Behringer and Aux 5 and 6 from the Presonus into Aux 3 of the Behringer. That way we get 3 stereo mixes.

The problem I have is that almost invariably we get a pretty loud hum/noise in our IEMs. We happen to have about 4 of the Behringer HA4700 headphone distribution amps and it is the same with all units.

I am thinking that the problem could well be with the Behringer HA4700 headphone amp itself (as a model) and I was considering replacing it with a presonus HP60. But I am wondering whether the problem could be elsewhere before shelling out for a new headphone amp.

Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[troy mcclure]

I would guess it is the behringer... I will follow the thread as I was looking for a simple wired in ear solution of my digital board for the drummer.
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[EastCoastThump]

I'd first suspect a ground loop.

Try taking your mixer out of the equation for troubleshooting. Disconnect all the input cables from the HA4700, then run music from your phone or laptop into the appropriate Behringer inputs (this way, the HA4700 should be the only thing plugged into an electrical outlet). Is the unit still buzzing/humming? If so, the Behringer's your problem. But if the hum goes away, you've likely got a ground loop or bad cable in your fuller set-up. Find and fix that rather than replace your headphone amp.

 

[Wadge]

I'd first suspect a ground loop.

Try taking your mixer out of the equation for troubleshooting. Disconnect all the input cables from the HA4700, then run music from your phone or laptop into the appropriate Behringer inputs (this way, the HA4700 should be the only thing plugged into an electrical outlet). Is the unit still buzzing/humming? If so, the Behringer's your problem. But if the hum goes away, you've likely got a ground loop or bad cable in your fuller set-up. Find and fix that rather than replace your headphone amp.

Makes sense. Thank you.