Moog Music Forum

Hi guys,

I'm sorry if something has been posted about this already, I've been searching the internet for the past 4 days and can't seem to find anything that can help.

Ok, so as the subject says, I'm having problems with my new Minitaur.

The main problem I am having, is that I get a static, electronic sounding buzz/hum when I open an external instrument (I have tried with both Logic 9 and Ableton 9) and choose channel 2 (Where I send the audio out of minitaur) I get this when the USB cable is connected, but also when it is not (while just trying to use the moog with a midi cable). I plugged my headphones directly into the minitaur and there is no noise.

I am using Logic 9 or ableton 9, with a Native Instruments Audio 8 soundcard, iMac, and using a 2x Phono RCA To 2x 1/4 inch Jack Leads. With the minituar being mono, I'm only using 1 of the jacks plugged into the minitaur and 1 phono into the soundcard. Could this have anything to do with it?


2nd, the editor doesn't seem to do anything, I have downloaded it, opened it and even had sound from my Minitaur while using only the USB connection, but I can't seem to change the presets and knobs are not corresponding to the hardware.

If someone could help me out, I'd be very grateful

I've done a bit more research and asked a few friends who say it's called "Ground loop noise"... It's just throwing me a bit as it happens when I don't have a USB cable plugged into the minitaur, maybe it's the USB cable on my Audio 8 Soundcard that's creating the loop?

i think there was thread here about some USB connectors making a buzz but I haven't experienced it
maybe try a search?

For me so far Minitaur problems have been solved with a power off and reboot
or worst case scenario FW erase & update

Just to let anyone reading know I've sorted it. Changed the USB cable on my sound card for another one with a Ferrite on it and now the buzz is minimal. I tried with a friends cable first (from his soundcard) and it went away almost completely in Logic but still there in ableton.

Cheers, minitaur sounds great!!

Looks like a ground loop to me.
Is there any other device connected to that audio card ?
The audio 8 is connected to the mac using USB, it is therefore directly connected to your home ground.
Try to remove all unnecessary USB connected device.
Connect the Audio 8 directly to the MAC.
Change the Mac wall power plug to another circuit if possible.
Isolate the Mac ground pin just for a test ! Don't forget you need it as the mac is made of aluminium but it will give you some troubleshooting tips.

This might help you further into resolving this issue: http://www.native-instruments.com/knowl ... loop%29%3F