Hi there my hermod pals, any advice on my problem, I am getting a terrible noise as soon as I connect USB device port to my laptop, through midi ports to my audio card is totally fine and I am going to try through the host port, any chance to change the USB device port or is it too of a hassle? I really appreciate your help. Carlos
Hi Carlos,
The most likely culprit here is a ground loop. Do you have something else in your modular that’s connected to your PC ?
If you can draw what your connections look like, that would be helpful, including what’s plugged to the wall, using what adapters, etc.
Hi Thibault, first of all thanks for your reply and help, as soon as I get back from my trip to Norway I will send you a drawing what is connected and where so you will get a better view. Once again thanks a lot. Carlos
Hi again Thibault, down below you can find a “wetransfer” link in order to download the video I have just recorded so you can actually see the problem, I hope you can help me out. Thanks a lot in advance.
Thanks for the video!
There are two things you could try, I can’t guarantee either will work, but I think it’s worth a try.
Firstly, you could try using a “Data Only” USB cable to connect Hermod to your laptop. Hermod is self powered, and with the rest of the setup, it already shares a common ground with the laptop, via the soundcard, through the output module.
A less janky and more academic solution would be to put a “USB Galvanic Isolator” between the laptop and Hermod. This should ensure that only data can go through, and no current loops occur. You should be able to find one for less than 20€. I can’t speak first hand on it solving this particular issue, but I’m fairly confident this could solve it.
Good Morning Thibault,
First of all I really appreciate your help, I just bought one as you wrote down for less than 20 euros, as soon as I get it and try it out I will let you know, thanks a lot again for your help. Fingers crossed.
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Galvanic isolator worked for me… although it wasn’t hermod causing the noise – in my case it came from a usb Powered micromonsta 2 running on the 5V rail. That caused the exact same sounds, and a galvanic isolator in deed solved that 
BTW, lovely cases! were those wine boxes?
I hope it will for me too nemoy, thanks for your reply and one of the cases was used as a tool box by my grandpa in the early 60s so it was perfect for my rack and a great memory.
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