Sound System Interconnection - Rane AD22S Manual

Sound System
Interconnection
• Cause & prevention of ground loops
• Interfacing balanced & unbalanced
• Proper pin connections and wiring
• Chassis ground vs. signal ground
• Ground lift switches
Rane Technical Staff
RaneNote 110
© 1985, 1995, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2015 Rane Corporation

SOUND SYSTEM INTERCONNECTION

Introduction
This note, originally written in 1985, continues to be one
of our most useful references. It's popularity stems from
the continual and perpetual difficulty of hooking up audio
equipment without suffering through all sorts of bizarre
noises, hums, buzzes, whistles, etc.— not to mention the
extreme financial, physical and psychological price. As tech-
nology progresses it is inevitable that electronic equipment
and its wiring should be subject to constant improvement.
Many things have improved in the audio industry since
1985, but unfortunately wiring isn't one of them. However,
finally the Audio Engineering Society (AES) has issued a
standards document for interconnection of pro audio equip-
ment. It is AES48, titled "AES48-2005: AES standard on
interconnections —Grounding and EMC practices — Shields
of connectors in audio equipment containing active circuitry."
Rane's policy is to accommodate rather than dictate.
However, this document contains suggestions for external
wiring changes that should ideally only be implemented by
trained technical personnel. Safety regulations require that
all original grounding means provided from the factory be
left intact for safe operation. No guarantee of responsibility
for incidental or consequential damages can be provided. (In
other words, don't modify cables, or try your own version of
grounding unless you really understand exactly what type of
output and input you have to connect.)
RaneNote
Interconnection-1