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Difference between revisions of "Humbuster"

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''The information on this page supplements the official manuals.''
 
 
__TOC__
 
__TOC__
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=What's Humbuster?=
 
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A design by Fractal Audio to fight ground loop hum. Humbuster cabling requires hardware support. It can can be used with all 1/4" outputs on the Axe-Fx II, FX8 and AX8.
 
  
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A Humbuster cable has a TRS end and a TS end. The TRS end ("stereo") goes into the Fractal Audio device. The TS end ("mono") goes into the other equipment, such as an amp.
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=Humbuster cables and outputs=
  
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[[image:humbuster2.png|400px]]
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Humbuster is Fractal Audio's electronics design for reducing unwanted noise caused by ground loops.
  
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=Where do I buy Humbuster cables?=
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It requires the use of a Humbuster cable and a Humbuster-compatible output port on Fractal Audio devices. All 1/4&rdquo; outputs on the Axe-Fx II, III, FM3, FM9, FX8 and AX8 are Humbuster-compatible. Read <q>[[I/O connectivity and levels]]</q> for more information.
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* [https://shop.fractalaudio.com/cables_s/60.htm Buy Humbuster cables from Fractal Audio]
 
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* [https://g66.eu/nl/g66-shop Buy Humbuster cables for G66]
 
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* [http://btpa.com/Fractal-Audio/ Buy Humbuster cables from Best-Tronics]
 
  
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=FX8 and Humbuster=
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The VP4 doesn’t support Humbuster cabling.
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The FX8 is designed to run Humbuster cables on all of the outputs. If you are running mono, you will only need to run two Humbusters: one to the front input on your amp from Output Pre on the FX8, and one to the FX loop return from Output Post on the FX8. [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/fx8-discussion/101662-need-some-recommendations.html#post1219246 source]
 
  
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=Quotes=
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A Humbuster cable has a TRS end and a TS end. The TRS/stereo-plug end goes into the Fractal Audio device. The TS/mono-plug end connects to the other side, possibly an amp.
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* "If you pull the cable out halfway it will get twice as loud. This is due to the humbuster output design. Don't pull the cable out halfway." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/93587-output-issue.html#post1123215 source]
 
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* "The Humbuster outputs sense the ground noise at the far end of the cable and cancel it out. Remember there is no such thing as a wire with zero impedance." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/37817-humbuster-technology-trs-ts.html#post517842 source]
 
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* "The 1/4" outputs have a "remote ground sense" feature. You take a TRS cable and on one end you put a TRS plug and on the other end you put a regular TS plug. On the TS end you tie the ring conductor to ground. Plug the TRS end into the Axe-Fx II. The ground noise of the attached equipment is sensed and added to the output signal thereby cancelling the common-mode noise (hum). This is especially useful when doing the 4CM since that's when you usually get the worst ground loops."
 
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* "Won't do anything for pickup hum. It just fights ground loops." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/37817-humbuster-technology-trs-ts.html#post517949 source]
 
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* "Humbuster cables do not eliminate noise. Humbuster cables in conjunction with Humbuster outputs can significantly reduce hum due to ground loops. The outputs of Fractal Audio products have a special circuit that, in conjunction with a Humbuster cable, senses the difference in ground potential between the devices and cancels the difference thereby reducing hum. It's certainly not snake oil and you can find numerous testimonials on our forum that speak for the effectiveness. [http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/humbuster-cables-is-30-feet-too-long.1709091/#post-22014675 source]
 
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* "The FX8 is designed to run Humbuster cables on all of the outputs. If you are running mono, you will only need to run two Humbusters: one to the front input on your amp from Output Pre on the FX8, and one to the FX loop return from Output Post on the FX8." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/fx8-discussion/101662-need-some-recommendations.html#post1219246 source]
 
  
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=More information=
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[[image:humbuster2.png|500px]]
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* [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/49249-wicked-wiki-7-balanced-connections-humbuster.html Wicked Wiki]
 
  
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[[category:Axe-Fx]]
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WARNING: When connecting a Humbuster output to a [[I/O_connectivity_and_levels#Balanced_and_unbalanced_signals|balanced]] TRS 1/4&rdquo; input on another device, use a standard shielded 1/4&rdquo; TS to 1/4&rdquo; TS instrument cable (patch cable). Do NOT use a Humbuster cable. Do NOT use a balanced 1/4&rdquo; TRS to 1/4&rdquo; TRS cable. [https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/a-couple-axe-fx-iii-fm9-output-questions-simultaneous-use-of-ports-and-humbuster-to-trs.176743/post-2148213]
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See &ldquo;Humbuster cables&rdquo; in sections 1 and 4 in the manual for your unit for more information.
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>
 +
'''FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES'''
 +
<HR>
 +
<blockquote>
 +
[http://forum.fractalaudio.com/posts/517949]
 +
Won't do anything for pickup hum. It just fights ground loops.
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>
 +
[https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/output-issue.93587/post-1123346]
 +
The plug that goes into the Axe-Fx can be either TS or TRS. TRS would be for Humbuster cables.
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>
 +
[http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/humbuster-cables-is-30-feet-too-long.1709091/#post-22014675]
 +
Humbuster cables do not eliminate noise. Humbuster cables in conjunction with Humbuster outputs can significantly reduce hum due to ground loops. The outputs of Fractal Audio products have a special circuit that, in conjunction with a Humbuster cable, senses the difference in ground potential between the devices and cancels the difference thereby reducing hum. It's certainly not snake oil and you can find numerous testimonials on our forum that speak for the effectiveness.
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>
 +
[http://forum.fractalaudio.com/posts/517842]
 +
The Humbuster outputs sense the ground noise at the far end of the cable and cancel it out. Remember there is no such thing as a wire with zero impedance.
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>
 +
[https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/output-issue.93587/post-1123215]
 +
If you pull the cable out halfway it will get twice as loud. This is due to the humbuster output design. Don't pull the cable out halfway.
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>
 +
[http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii/35997-axe-fx-ii-technical-questions-thread-38.html#post491850]
 +
The 1/4" outputs have a "remote ground sense" feature. You take a TRS cable and on one end you put a TRS plug and on the other end you put a regular TS plug. On the TS end you tie the ring conductor to ground. Plug the TRS end into the Axe-Fx II. The ground noise of the attached equipment is sensed and added to the output signal thereby cancelling the common-mode noise (hum). This is especially useful when doing the 4CM since that's when you usually get the worst ground loops.
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>
 +
A Humbuster cable is grounded at both ends. It's a three-wire configuration. The third conductor samples the ground potential at the receiving end and sends that back to the transmitter where it is used to cancel the ground noise. The manual even shows you how to make your own.
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>
 +
[https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/thoughts-on-2-x-vp4%E2%80%99s-1-for-in-front-1-for-fx-loop-of-an-amp.208727/post-2608734]
 +
(about the VP4) Humbuster is not necessary because it's DC powered and the chassis is floating. Hum occurs due to ground loops. If equipment is AC powered the chassis must be grounded by law. This introduces ground loops when using unbalanced connections. The correct solution is for everything to be balanced but the industry seems reluctant to embrace that.
 +
</blockquote>
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
=Buy Humbuster cables=
 +
 
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Buy Humbuster cables from:
 +
 +
* [http://shop.fractalaudio.com/cables_s/60.htm Fractal Audio]
 +
* [https://shop.g66.eu/accessories/ G66]
 +
* [http://btpa.com/Fractal-Audio/ Best-Tronics]
 +
 
 +
[[category:Axe-Fx2]]
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[[category:Axe-Fx3]]
 +
[[category:FM3]]
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[[category:FM9]]
 
[[category:FX8]]
 
[[category:FX8]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
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[[category:Connecting]]
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[[category:All]]

Latest revision as of 12:35, 21 October 2024

Humbuster cables and outputs

Humbuster is Fractal Audio's electronics design for reducing unwanted noise caused by ground loops.

It requires the use of a Humbuster cable and a Humbuster-compatible output port on Fractal Audio devices. All 1/4” outputs on the Axe-Fx II, III, FM3, FM9, FX8 and AX8 are Humbuster-compatible. Read I/O connectivity and levels for more information.

The VP4 doesn’t support Humbuster cabling.

A Humbuster cable has a TRS end and a TS end. The TRS/stereo-plug end goes into the Fractal Audio device. The TS/mono-plug end connects to the other side, possibly an amp.

Humbuster2.png

WARNING: When connecting a Humbuster output to a balanced TRS 1/4” input on another device, use a standard shielded 1/4” TS to 1/4” TS instrument cable (patch cable). Do NOT use a Humbuster cable. Do NOT use a balanced 1/4” TRS to 1/4” TRS cable. [1]

See “Humbuster cables” in sections 1 and 4 in the manual for your unit for more information.

FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES

[2] Won't do anything for pickup hum. It just fights ground loops.

[3] The plug that goes into the Axe-Fx can be either TS or TRS. TRS would be for Humbuster cables.

[4] Humbuster cables do not eliminate noise. Humbuster cables in conjunction with Humbuster outputs can significantly reduce hum due to ground loops. The outputs of Fractal Audio products have a special circuit that, in conjunction with a Humbuster cable, senses the difference in ground potential between the devices and cancels the difference thereby reducing hum. It's certainly not snake oil and you can find numerous testimonials on our forum that speak for the effectiveness.

[5] The Humbuster outputs sense the ground noise at the far end of the cable and cancel it out. Remember there is no such thing as a wire with zero impedance.

[6] If you pull the cable out halfway it will get twice as loud. This is due to the humbuster output design. Don't pull the cable out halfway.

[7] The 1/4" outputs have a "remote ground sense" feature. You take a TRS cable and on one end you put a TRS plug and on the other end you put a regular TS plug. On the TS end you tie the ring conductor to ground. Plug the TRS end into the Axe-Fx II. The ground noise of the attached equipment is sensed and added to the output signal thereby cancelling the common-mode noise (hum). This is especially useful when doing the 4CM since that's when you usually get the worst ground loops.

A Humbuster cable is grounded at both ends. It's a three-wire configuration. The third conductor samples the ground potential at the receiving end and sends that back to the transmitter where it is used to cancel the ground noise. The manual even shows you how to make your own.

[8] (about the VP4) Humbuster is not necessary because it's DC powered and the chassis is floating. Hum occurs due to ground loops. If equipment is AC powered the chassis must be grounded by law. This introduces ground loops when using unbalanced connections. The correct solution is for everything to be balanced but the industry seems reluctant to embrace that.

Buy Humbuster cables

Buy Humbuster cables from:

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