In this video, I explore ways to track down and reduce noise, hum, buzz, ground loops and USB whine. I go through power, cabling, balanced connections, USB isolation, DI boxes and software approaches, with practical examples and cautions.
Timeline
0:00 Intro
0:50 Find the source
1:10 One strip
1:30 No daisy chains
1:45 Isolated power
2:05 IEC isolators
2:50 Cables & jacks
3:10 Balanced gear
4:10 Interference
4:40 USB whine
5:05 USB MIDI
5:25 Split data/power
5:50 USB isolators
6:30 USB audio
6:50 Ferrite chokes
7:20 Audio isolators
7:50 DI boxes
8:20 Impact on audio
8:50 48v dangers
9:10 Guitar tips
9:30 Go wireless
9:50 Ethernet audio
10:10 Notch filters
10:30 Advanced algos
10:50 More ideas?!
Links and notes from the video description
Download all these tips and more in a free chapter from my book on Patreon:
► https://www.patreon.com/posts/free-cheat-sheet-124630703
Humno – this solved problems with unbalanced synths:
► On Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/morley_humno_noise_eliminator.htm?offid=1&affid=369
► On Amazon: https://amzn.to/4iY1y9x
The Topping HS02 from stores I trust – expensive but doesn't require external power:
► Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bJ7IrW
► Apos: https://apos.audio/products/topping-hs02-usb-2-0-audio-isolator
The Besign: 3.5mm unbalanced stereo isolator:
► https://amzn.to/3DOz3w8
If it's not in stock, this ground loop isolator is getting good reviews on Amazon:
► https://amzn.to/2CfYvZk
Behringer HD400 balanced ground loop isolator:
► https://amzn.to/3FD0vNZ
► https://www.thomann.de/intl/behringer_microhd_hd400.htm?offid=1&affid=369
Pyle hum eliminator if you need XLR jacks:
► https://amzn.to/41D9ciR
LA2XS: search on AliExpress and look for good reviews and a return policy.
Radial makes good but expensive DI boxes. In general – use a passive box for a powered source (synths), and an active box for a passive source (guitar with magnetic pickups):
► Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Pzgqmb
► Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/search_dir.html?sw=radial&offid=1&affid=369
A Eurorack isolator + balanced output:
► https://happynerding.com/category/isolator/
Too late and your audio is already messed up? Audacity is free:
► http://bit.ly/Get-Audacity
For more controls and higher quality, you can also try out RX from izotope:
► https://www.izotope.com/en/products/rx.html
Other places I hang out:
► Web: https://loopopmusic.com
► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loopopmusic
► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loopopmusic
► Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/loopopmusic
My music:
► Bandcamp: https://loopop.bandcamp.com
► Spotify: http://bit.ly/LoopopOnSpotify
► Apple Music:http://bit.ly/LoopopOnAppleMusic
Want to email me personally?
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.