• sinan
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  • Registered: 2021-08-10
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Topic: Ground loop and buzzing with hdmi display

Hi,

I seem to be have run into a ground loop issue when connecting a monitor display via hdmi.

The setup is as follows:

M-32 AD > Digiface USB > Fireface 400

The Fireface acts as the outputs and the M-32 AD as inputs.

I'm using a Macbook Pro with 2 thunderbolt ports. In one of the thunderbolt port I connect the fireface 400. In the other port I have a Satechi hub with the Digiface USB connected and two other usb ports connected for midi and mouse/keyboard.

I use some of the outputs of the Fireface 400 (3 outputs to be exact) for sending audio via ableton to effects pedals. And then back in via the M-32 AD.

This situation above works fine until I introduce a monitor display connected via a hdmi cable on the Satechti hub.

The monitor causes a ground loop with the inputs of the effects pedals which only goes away when I disconnect the macbook charger or remove the hdmi cable.

Is there any way to fix this?

Thanks in advance,

Sinan

2 Reply by bsfreq (edited by bsfreq 2023-06-26 21:42:56)

  • bsfreq
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  • Registered: 2011-03-02
  • Posts: 244

Re: Ground loop and buzzing with hdmi display

Galvanic HDMI isolator would do the job, or an optical HDMI cable that effectively works as galvanic isolator.

You can find affordable optical HDMI-cables from amazon or aliexpress etc.. Just search for "Fiber optic HDMI cable"

Fireface UFX+ | Fireface UFX | Babyface Pro | 12Mic
  • sinan
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  • Registered: 2021-08-10
  • Posts: 5

Re: Ground loop and buzzing with hdmi display

Thanks for the quick reply bsfreq!

I'm going to try the fiber optic cable.