Ground Loops: What Are They and How to Eliminate Them in Audio Rigs

This video is a basic introduction to the concept of "ground loops" and the idea of isolating or "breaking" the loop.

For more information, I highly recommend reading the works of Bill Whitlock:

UNDERSTANDING, FINDING, & ELIMINATING GROUND LOOPS IN AUDIO & VIDEO SYSTEMS

[CarsSimplified]

I got an ad on a completely different platform for an article on this subject. I hadn't heard of it before, so now I'm here instead of going to that article that was probably trying to sell something. Great video!

[woolyfuzzy]

The best explanation I've seen on the topic. Thank you!

[userfriendlysounds]

Thank you so much. Excellent explanation and information as always.

[chrismillett]

Very easy to understand! Thanks Kendall 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[davisdiercks]

For years I've been struggling with quite the oddball in my setup - I have a buzz, but not 60Hz - it's 144Hz... The refresh rate of my monitor. And it gets significantly louder as more things on the screen move. This video helped me finally discover that contrary to my initial thoughts, it IS in fact a ground loop, but from USB noise rather than AC noise. It also helped me finally isolate the problem (and oh boy it was a doozy), so thank you SO much for your help!!!

[jazzman]

Great advice, thank you. Here is my problem; I have Klipsch 2.1 computer speakers. When I plug the green end cable into the motherboard, there is a loud noise and even if I just slightly move the cable it is sooo loud. Also to that, when I mouse over (not click) a link, there is a pulsing noise coming from the speakers. Talk about annoying. I used these speakers on my old computer and no issues. Now on my new computer with a Gigabyte motherboard, there is. Old computer, Windows 10, new computer, Windows 11 if that helps? Thank you.

[MathCuriousity]

Awesome vid! May I ask; what could be causing a situation where I get shocked only if I touch two appliances same time, but not one. Is this me creating a ground loop? How does that work?!

[samalam]

I have two loud speaks and a sub I use for parties, can I create a ground loop by just connecting the mixer to the speaker with XLR cables

[MrCloudss]

I have a similar hum noise when I connect my guitar cable to my amp. I just have one power supply going to the outlet for the amp. And my guitar is directly plugged to the amp with nothing in between. I don’t think a loop is formed in my case. But I still get the loud hum noise when I connect by guitar cable(even when my guitar isn’t plugged in) But when I do connect my guitar the noise is still there but when I touch on my guitar body or guitar strings the noise gets lower. What do you think my issue is? Thank you on advance.

[shapourdashtpour]

Hi, I am upstairs. In one outlet I have two power strips connected. In the other outlet I have a guitar pedal connected. Anytime a specific downstair room turns on the light, I will get a buzz in my Amp. Do you think I should get

Behringer MicroHD HD400 2-channel Hum Destroyer


Or

Morley Hum Exterminator Ground Loop Hum Exterminator

Or

Furman M-8x2 8 Outlet Power Conditioner

Thanks

[dylanjohnson]

Excellent video, thank you! Can you help me understand how it's still possible to have a ground loop in your examples where all equipment is plugged into a single power strip/the same socket?

[marcusstrymon]

So what I dont get: I would have to put a DI box between any rack unit, right?
I go XLR out from Rack eq to rack comp, voth use piwer cable --> ground loop
I go rack chanel strip --> interface, both have power --> ground loop

[marcusstrymon]

So reamping without a reamp box into lets say pedal reverbs and then back to the interface creates a ground loop, correct?

[marcusstrymon]

What if I use 2 isolated power suplies? In my case a voodo lab pedal power 2 and a styrmon ojai? Still a problem?

So I have a ground loop somewhere in my board. For the last 8 pedals its all hood (all strymon pedals) but then it doesnt matter which other brand pedal i add, I get hum and rumble (low level) i have changed the strymon order afterwards and changed the cables so none of the strymons is at fault. And I have added the other pedals to the "good" ojai power. Doesnt mattr which one i add, the boss eq, jam pedals drives, expression pedal. A bit of buzz is there regardless.
Does this just show the good build quality of strmon or is something incredibly off?

[TubeTapeGecko]

Hey I’m using one amp, pedalboard powered by cioks both plugged into a power conditioner and humbuckers and I will get wild hum all the time. What do you think I should try?