USB-powered synths and ground loop hell, help!

[Lucas1010]

I keep Ground Loop Isolators around, available from Amazon and may other places, cheap and easy.

https://retrokits.com/shop/groundloop-isolator/

[joshEjosh]

Audio isolators work well in many cases, I've got a few and use them fairly often.

An additional tool I've had success with lately is a USB isolator: https://a.co/aj8gqwH

Adding this in between my computer / USB hub and the USB port of a MIDI->CV converter module has reduced noise in my eurorack system significantly.

These probably won't work for devices like the bluebox/blackbox that receive power over USB, or things that do USB audio or equivalent high bandwidth, but it's really great for USB MIDI.

[Steve]

I ordered one to try. Thanks for sharing.

[Soupsounds]

Hi after seeing a thread on this I just bought one of these usb isolators from Amazon

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09KN8ZX95/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I checked and it was the correct one it doesn’t work and I wondered whether I was doing something wrong or it was faulty. I plugged the usb psu that was shipped with the Bluebox into a socket and then plugged the isolator into psu and took a usb lead from the isolator into the bluebox. —— no power. Anyone any ideas if I’m doing something wrong or the isolator might be faulty. Like other people I’m on a quest to get rid of the noise. Any suggestions would be grateful
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I checked and it was the correct one it doesn’t work and I wondered whether I was doing something wrong or it was faulty. I plugged the usb psu that was shipped with the Bluebox into a socket and

[Soupsounds]

I meant the Hifime USB isolator

[Sanjuro77]

Just to chime in, I had similar issues trying to get the lemon drop and bluebox playing nicely in a true portable setup. My workaround is to power each from it's own powerbank. Which saves on getting isolators etc with the side benefit that you get much more playing time. It also allows me to plug in more stuff if needed (as long they are plugged into the lemon drop powerbank).

[JoyrexJ9]

I've also been battling ground loop hell with the BlueBox. I think USB power for a mixer is a terrible decision.

A couple of things, to the OP - devices like the NTS and Typhon are notoriously bad for ground loop and noise issues, so you're facing a perfect storm of devices here IMO

The only reliable way to work is to power *everything* (the BlueBox included) from separate power sources and plugs. Soon as you try to use any sort of USB hub or power more than 1 device from a single wall plug/charger - boom, you'll be in a world of pain.

This seriously diminishes the benefits of USB power, but it's the only way to eliminate this issue. It's always super tempting to try and use a hub or multi port USB charger in order to save on plugs, and everytime I do, it's a nightmare

[Steve]

It's always super tempting to try and use a hub or multi port USB charger in order to save on plugs, and everytime I do, it's a nightmare

We have always (very strongly) recommended not doing this. The power consumption of USB devices varies greatly. The blackbox and bluebox often require a lot of power and must be powered using the proper cables and adapters.

[jayneural]

Personally I always power each device individually through a small power bank. And one bigger that gives at least 2A for Blackbox and Bluebox. I never had issues with ground loop this way.

I will be experimenting though some ground loop insulators I got with my last order @ Retrokits. Possibly it could help to manage some of the things through a unique source but the two BBs will always require their sources as they need more power than a typical micro-synth.