peyal Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 Hi everyone, I setup a new home working station a couple of days ago. Here is a sketch of the station: More details about it: (not sure if important) My NUC is brand new, the monitors are m-audio and TV is LG. All of the power cables are with 3 pins, and the power adapter for my PC has 3 pins also. The problem is that I keep hearing these static noises as soon as I plug in the USB cable that connects the Helix and the PC. Here is a link to a recording of these noises: https://vocaroo.com/i/s1dDVqIoVI7t As far as my research on the internet goes, I suspect it has something to do with ground loop. One thing that really stood out while troubleshooting is that when I replace my NUC with a laptop that I have, the noise stops. This solution is out of the equation, as the laptop is inferior in performance compared to the NUC. Other things that I already tried with no success: Replacing the USB cable, the PLs, another wall socket for the helix or the monitors, replacing the power cable of the computer power adapter, shutting down the router or the Helix (the noise persists even if the Helix is turned off). If anyone has an advice, a solution or other ways to troubleshoot the problem it will be much appreciated. Thanks, Eyal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 Although I had a different configuration, I had that exact noise. Put one of these between the Helix and your monitors. https://smile.amazon.com/Compact-Mini-Hum-Eliminator-Box/dp/B00BARTW3I/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=hum+eliminator&qid=1569859239&s=electronics&sr=1-5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiFromBRC Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 Plus 1 on rd2rk's suggestion. It sounds like a ground loop. Have you tried the lift button on the back of the unit? I have intermittent ground loop problems and use an Ebtech Hum Eliminator when needed. It works quite well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peyal Posted October 1, 2019 Author Share Posted October 1, 2019 I've tried the lift button but it doesn't matter, the sound still persists. I guess I will order one the two products suggested here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunedinDragon Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 This sounds to me more like a shielding or grounding issue on the NUC unit itself. Normally ground loops are caused by a difference in grounding between two devices on two different wall sockets that are on different circuits causing that difference to be sent through other cables that are connecting the two devices trying to reconcile the differences, and it would be present with your laptop as well. If the NUC is new you might try exchanging it for a new one as that may simply be a defect in that unit. Alternatively you could try the Ebtech Hum Eliminator, but they advise against connecting that through a power strip, but in my experience it still seems to work when connected that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbuhajla Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 I get static "pops" when connected to my laptop via USB. It hasn't bothered me that much, but I have considered using one of these isolators on the USB port to see if goes away. https://www.amazon.com/Audio-iDefender3-0-Ground-Loop-Eliminator/dp/B01N3XKOLG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 12 minutes ago, jbuhajla said: I get static "pops" when connected to my laptop via USB. It hasn't bothered me that much, but I have considered using one of these isolators on the USB port to see if goes away. https://www.amazon.com/Audio-iDefender3-0-Ground-Loop-Eliminator/dp/B01N3XKOLG Since I solved the problem with an $18 passive stereo hum eliminator, I can't see spending $49 on this gizmo, but if you try it and it works, do report back, it looks interesting and I hadn't seen it before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peyal Posted October 10, 2019 Author Share Posted October 10, 2019 Hi guys, thanks for all the replies. I tried the following product (which is similar to one that was suggested here): https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-HD400-Ultra-Compact-2-Channel-Destroyer/dp/B000KUD2G4 Unfortunately, the sound persists. Any other suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Maybe you do need the other gadget - go direct to the probable source of the USB ground loop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peyal Posted October 30, 2019 Author Share Posted October 30, 2019 Hi everyone, First of all, I want to thank everybody that suggested something that could have helped me. Second, I managed to solve my problem so I wanted to update the post in case anyone ever faces this kind of problem. My monitors have an XLR input, so I just bought 2 good XLR cables and connected the Helix using them. The sound still persists, but it is BARELY audible. You have to get your ear really close to the monitors in order to hear the sound, and even this close it is very difficult to notice it. So for everyone reading this post having this sound problem - If you can, connect your monitors and Helix using XLR cables and not PLs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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