cometphoton Posted Sunday at 05:02 PM Share Posted Sunday at 05:02 PM Please help I have a ground loop USB problem. Helix LT with usb connection to a Windows 11 PC. Line 6 Workbench and HX edit software. Focusrite 18i20 usb interface to pc and helix has a stereo connection via analog to helix. Variax connected to Helix via digital cable. Roland KC-550 connected to the focusrite via balanced cables. Anyhow when i move the PC mouse i hear a buzzing sound thru everthing. Well thru process of adding balanced cables to everthing but the guitar I found this. When I disconnect the usb cable between the Helix and the pc the buzz is gone. This is nice but I like to use my line 6 software too. Did anyone find a usb isolator that you can put between PC usb and Helix Usb that works ? I tried this one and it did not. ( Jhoinrch USB Isolator Onboard ADUM3160 Chip ). What Usb type and what speed dose the Helix require. Anyhow this is one for the EE that designed the product. Need to add Isolation to the next gen so this is gone via the helix processor / interface / electronics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaschaFranck Posted Sunday at 05:05 PM Share Posted Sunday at 05:05 PM Are you using the balanced XLR outs from the Helix to your interface? If not, I'd try using those first and check their ground settings, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmalle Posted Sunday at 08:32 PM Share Posted Sunday at 08:32 PM Ground loop means that your Helix has at least two ground connections to your PC (one via USB and two via 1/4" Outs). Connect via XLR and engage the GND Lift. Then you have one ground connection and the noise should be gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cometphoton Posted 4 hours ago Author Share Posted 4 hours ago Purchased a Topping HS02-bk Isolator, Bingo!! no more noise. Yahoo!!! Note: Schmalle is right about the grn loops. The two 1/4" outs and the usb in unison created my noise problem, So when you remove both 1/4" cables the noise goes away. I will order two balanced cables replace my 1/4"unbalanced. Then let eveyone in on what happens. Thanks On 9/20/2026 at 1:05 PM, SaschaFranck said: Are you using the balanced XLR outs from the Helix to your interface? If not, I'd try using those first and check their ground settings, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cometphoton Posted 1 hour ago Author Share Posted 1 hour ago Everyone hit the nail on the head. Instrument cables (2 wire) caused ground loop. XLR balanced is the best senerio. One XLR cable caused a low hum too. The Cable nomenclature = low noise. Replaced it now: No PC mouse noise and no hum. Thanks for helping me with simple solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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