Nord G2 - hum/interference when connected via USB

b0unce · Post by **b0unce** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:24 pm

I'm posting this here & on the G2 forum (for maximum coverage), and may email support, but for now I'll ask you lot...

Anyways, heres the setup:
iMac - using a buspowered soundcard, connected via firewire
nord g2 engine - two outputs connected to the soundcard

well, I get this high pitched hum while the G2 is connected to the computer via USB for using the patch editor. If the G2 is powered off, I still get a hum - until I disconnect the USB and it goes silent. So I dont think its because the G2 and computer are plugged into the same socket...

of course, once the usb is disconnected it will record perfectly, without hum...

I will try using a seperate cpu for the patch editor later, however...if there is a way to use the editor and record on the same CPU that would be very handy...

has anyone else run into this problem ?
I wont have a chance to troubleshoot again until tomorrow, first thing I'm gonna try is powering the soundcard with its own plug to see if that prevents the interference

Vinc T · Post by **Vinc T** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:28 pm

switch off the light, that helps to make the pitbull quiet

b0unce · Post by **b0unce** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:39 pm

roger that

Tone Deft · Post by **Tone Deft** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:43 pm

Plugged into the same outlet is ideal, it's when they're on separate outlets that ground loops become an issue.

So, it's:
Mac - firewire - sound card - audio cable - G2 - USB - Mac

Sounds like something's going on with using USB and firewire at the same time. Even when the G2 is off the USB cable will have traffic and power on it, but it's not the G2 introducing noise, it's passing it between USB and firewire.

- Get a piece of wire and touch housings from one device to another, this grounds the chassis together in case a ground connection wasn't designed in or ir broken.
- Go through another device, rewire the chain.
- differential audio cables would solve this
- use just USB or firewire?
- try other cables (firewire, USB, audio) in case one is screwy (remove 1 audio cable, you only need 1 to do the experiment).
- try a USB/firewire hub instead of the built in ports.

dunno, my $0.02...