Midas Consoles U32 Music Mixer User Manual


 
98 Appendix E: Best Grounding Practice
VeniceU
Operator Manual
Ground loop
Noise sources
Audio manufacturers have known about these issues for many years and most
equipment is designed to reduce ground loop generation to the bare minimum or to
minimise the effects. But, as switch mode power supplies and computers become more
common place, the earth/ground environments that audio systems operate in become
more and more contaminated by noise currents from both within the system and from
external sources.
The USB connection on the VeniceU is an example of this. The high speed nature of the
connection necessitates a good screen ground to bond the computer to the VeniceU.
However, if the computer is grounded via its power cable a ground loop will exist that
can inject current into the console chassis and may produce currents or small voltages
that can affect other externally connected equipment. The size of the injected current
will vary from one computer to another, depending on the quality of the grounding and
components used internally, and within its power supply. To eliminate this problem,
computers with an isolated power supply are the best choice.
Power distribution
unit (PDU)
Midas VeniceU
console
GEQ (for
example, Square
ONE Graphic)
Audio connection
Loop currents
Power connection
Power
connection