DIY patch bay ground noise

[Darg1911]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

Yeah, I've seen those used in some boxes. Then again half the other ones I've seen haven't. I'm finding it difficult to suss out what is the proper way to do it.

Put it this way: this box will cover connections to preamp, then FX loop send and return. With everything connected with shared ground, will this be a problem? Is there any reason NOT to use the Jacks I have?

It won't blow anything up. But hell, I don't know whether it would ultimately be quieter or nosier, or make no difference. Right now, because the box is plastic, the shields of the 3 in/out pairs are isolated from each other. You can try the metal box with the jacks you have. If it's still noisy, you can pick up some of those plastic jacks to try and see if isolating the shields makes any difference. They are maybe 50 cents each.

 

[Coma]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

It won't blow anything up. But hell, I don't know whether it would ultimately be quieter or nosier, or make no difference. Right now, because the box is plastic, the shields of the 3 in/out pairs are isolated from each other. You can try the metal box with the jacks you have. If it's still noisy, you can pick up some of those plastic jacks to try and see if isolating the shields makes any difference. They are maybe 50 cents each.

Heh, well, surprise suprise, that was the plan [emoji6]

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

Yeah, I've seen those used in some boxes. Then again half the other ones I've seen haven't. I'm finding it difficult to suss out what is the proper way to do it.

Put it this way: this box will cover connections to preamp, then FX loop send and return. With everything connected with shared ground, will this be a problem? Is there any reason NOT to use the Jacks I have?

I have a patch box that somebody built for me. I believe has isolated jacks. If you are still having issues with this, I’ll gladly open it up and snap some pics so we can see how it was done. I have zero issues with this box. I’m using it to run lines to the Fx loop and front of amp, iirc.
(I’m using this on my small setup and I haven’t actually set it up in several months.)

 

[Coma]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

I have a patch box that somebody built for me. I believe has isolated jacks. If you are still having issues with this, I’ll gladly open it up and snap some pics so we can see how it was done. I have zero issues with this box. I’m using it to run lines to the Fx loop and front of amp, iirc.
(I’m using this on my small setup and I haven’t actually set it up in several months.)

Would love a picture thanks [emoji106]

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

Would love a picture thanks [emoji106]

You got it.
I’m hoping I’ll have a couple of minutes before rehearsal tonite to do it.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

Ok, so this is just a box for running to my Fx loop. 2 ins and 2 outs. Hopefully you’re able to see what you need.
It’s metal enclosure.

 

[devastone]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

In the pic above, those metal jacks are all grounded together through the box, as it should be.

A metal box will provide some shielding and also ground the "grounds" (rings) together, which is probably what you want. OP, what exactly are you using this patch bay for?

 

[Coma]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

In the pic above, those metal jacks are all grounded together through the box, as it should be.

A metal box will provide some shielding and also ground the "grounds" (rings) together, which is probably what you want. OP, what exactly are you using this patch bay for?

The idea is to run cables from pedal board to front of amp, then FX loop to and back from pedal board.

Im just trying to figure out if I'll have any issues with ground loops. Esp seeing as how my NS2 is connected in X pattern, so it's already both in front of and in the loop.

 

[devastone]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

By isolating them you may be creating ground noise, and yes, the grounds are all connected in the NS-2.

FWIW, I have had noise issues from sharing a power supply on pedals in front of the amp and pedals in the loop, the solution was to use separate power supplies or different outputs on a brick with truly isolated supplies for fx in front and in the loop. Not sure what would happen with the NS-2, I wasn't using one then. (FWIW that is one of my favorite noise suppressors)

 

[Coma]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

By isolating them you may be creating ground noise, and yes, the grounds are all connected in the NS-2.

FWIW, I have had noise issues from sharing a power supply on pedals in front of the amp and pedals in the loop, the solution was to use separate power supplies or different outputs on a brick with truly isolated supplies for fx in front and in the loop. Not sure what would happen with the NS-2, I wasn't using one then. (FWIW that is one of my favorite noise suppressors)

Currently, I've had no issues with noise in my setup. I'm just not sure if having all cables connected trough the one patch pay, as opposed to my previous setup with three 5 meter cables running to and from the amp will be a problem. What's really making me confused is a lot of sources say different things regarding the need for using isolated or non-isolated jacks.

Stinkfoot, for instance, recommends using one properly grounded jack and then isolated plastic ones for the rest of the box.

 

[devastone]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

That is probably the best of both worlds, but you still need a metal box, the reasoning behind that is the grounded metal jack grounds the box, creating a shield around the isolated connections.

 

[Coma]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

Well I started drilling the box now. Won't be able to finish tonight but will hopefully have something put together by tomorrow evening. Fingers crossed!

 

[Gtrjunior]

DIY patch bay ground noise

The pics I posted above obviously are from my small board and that is only used to run to the Fx loop.
On my Splawn board I have a 6 outlet junction box that runs to the Fx loop, front of amp and handles the cables for channel switching.
I have zero additional noise in my signal from either junction box.
I would think a properly isolated and ground box wouldn’t add noise. If you are getting some it’s likely something in the wiring/grounding.
But, I’m no expert. That’s why I had someone else build them for me. Lol

 

[Coma]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

Fingers crossed, boys and girls.

 

[Coma]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

It works beautifully. [emoji3]

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

Nice

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

Fingers crossed, boys and girls.

What guitar is that??

 

[Coma]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

1989 Charvel 750 XL

 

[Coma]

Re: DIY patch bay ground noise

Aaaaand the mandatory color coding so band mates don't have to wait for 30 minutes while I trace cables trying to remember how I had wired it up again [emoji28]