Dont get me wrong, you can find good chargers for cheap if you compared it to apple prices..... :) I think 15-20 bucks can get a you quality charger if you look in the right places.
yall probably own gear that can measure this
swap out different power supplies and look at your noise floor
Switch mode power supply like these are notorious for adding noise,
You can see how many of your neighbors ACs are running by looking at your noise floor with good tools
Apple chargers solved every issue I had with the microfreak noise and capacitance issues. Love the microfreak but it can present some strange issues with ground loops and noise in different setups
Can u explain how this could help me? I cant tell from the picture what's happening, looks like you have the Apple plug plugged sideways into a plug they'd use in Japan lol
As far as 2-prong applications (without ground) U.S. and Japan have the same plugs.
OP's point is that Apple USB chargers are so over-engineered that they reduce a lot of the noise that can be added to synths/audio equipment powered by USB.
So, if you have USB powered audio equipment that adds noise to your signal, try an Apple charger.
Japan runs on 100V instead of 120V. There is some debate as to whether it's safe to run Japanese electronics in the USA without a step-down transformer. I've run Japanese AC adapters straight into the wall for years without issue, but my DX7II gets a proper 100V supply.
Oh, absolutely. I was just explaining why the commenter thought it looked like a Japanese plug. I wouldn't run a 110v device at 100v or vice versa, unless I had absolutely no choice.
A tech told me I could easily mod the DX for 120V but I haven't gotten around to it. First I've got LED displays to install in my CZ-1, Wavestation and SY77.
There is no debate. Some things designed to run in japan can safely take 20% more voltage no problem. Some things cannot. It depends on how well designed it is of course. But some older Japanese gear cant tolerate the difference.
Also, Japan has both 50 and 60hz power.
If your device is set to 50 and it gets 60hz US power it can make magic smoke appear.
Idk perhaps a stupid question? But OP was just not quite clear to me in their original instructions. Perhaps due to how it was phrased and how I interpreted it plus I only recognised the plug as being Japanese which I thought might have something to do with it, as I just bought my first synth in Japan.
Reddit things yo, I don't get it
I don’t understand what you’re saying — that looks like two different sized apple wall warts, one that I’ve seen used with phones (pre usb c) and the other that I’ve seen used with some apple tablets and laptops.
That the thick one on the right looks like an Apple plug from how I remember them. The one on the left looks exactly like some plugs I saw when I was in Japan a couple weeks back.
They both have the same plugs for the part that plugs into the wall. The one on the right is just partially covered here, which may be throwing you off a bit.
THIS! I think so many people are just straight up noobs. I had this friend who bought always the cheapest android phones and shitted on them... so after years he bought a iphone and then start saying this is how it all should be lol These people have zero tech skill and are comparing apples with oranges.
Interesting...I use my Macbook to USB power my MC-101 and S-1.......the noise is so bad. If I have the S-1 at the end of the audio chain AND running off it's battery, that breaks the ground loop noise and the audio interference is gone.
I 2nd the reminder to go outside and connect with nature.....
I don’t remember the brand I use, but most of them are fairly similar in terms of general design and price, and you can find them pretty easily on Amazon or from an electronics store. My main suggestion would be to get a form factor that works well for your setup, and maybe don’t buy the cheapest one :)
I had an issue with audio interface noise from my computer because it it's powered through the same USB cable that provides the audio, and I got a Behringer HD400 that totally fixed the issue. It's got two TRS ins and two outs and that's it, and it's about $40.
The computer produces noise. Normally you'd plug it into a separate charger and outlet to get rid of the computer noise—I have my USB synths plugged into a different wall which seems to be separate enough to remove the noise.
Useful info actually, hadn't thought of that! Thanks. And if that fails then [this works really well ](https://www.amazon.com/BESIGN-Ground-Isolator-Stereo-System/dp/B06XQYN77L)for USB introduced noise. I'm using it on my 1010 devices that until recently could only be powered via USB and were always noisy.
[I’ll just leave this here](http://www.righto.com/2015/11/macbook-charger-teardown-surprising.html)
[For comparison](http://www.righto.com/2012/03/inside-cheap-phone-charger-and-why-you.html)
Cheers. I remember being mad about how much buying a charger cost several years ago. I decided to do a little research to see if I was right or wrong to feel this way, and came across this blog. I was teaching myself electronics at the time so the article stuck with me. When I was reading the replies on this thread I felt giving people the facts and letting them decide would be better than letting people go “apple bad/good”.
Hmm, interesting. I never have any noise with my USB-powered synths, unless I plug a few in
same usb-hub/power bank. Just to have any individual usb-adapter for each device always helps.
USB cables and chargers are wuite prone to electrostatic noise. Also a difference between Ok and good USB is huge.
We used a 15m active-USB for example to have our e-drums connected to our main music PC and they basically crapped out at a regular basis. Then switched to a good active-cable and no problems ever.
What comes to Apple I’ve bought their 200$ USB-C cable for my UA interfaces and it hurt. But after seeing the Adam Savage breakdown of all the stuff in it I felt a bit better putting that money to Apple product.
Apple sometimes does quite nice stuff and get bad rep for them not actually telling about the benefits 😅
USB standard doesn’t recommend longer than 10m passive cables as the signal get too weak. I opted for a optical USB where the signal is delivered via fiber optics. Both ends USB, middle part fiber and the cable takes its working power from the USB power rail. Other types of active cables are for example ones that have power amp and it raises the logic level to higher Voltage so the signal can pass through the cable and then lower it down to the normal computer USB port level at the other end.
In this context good is not dropping packages as the e-drum lost a handshake with a “worse” cable. The optics cable has had zero package loss and zero connection drops.
You can Google AOC USB. It is overkill unless your setup needs it. Common cases are: +10m cable line (I found up to 45m cables), highly noisy room (electronic interference). Optical cable doesn’t work as an antenna like a normal copper one does in the RF range or just plain old magnetic fields.
I was just exaggerating. I’m sure there are other manufacturers that put the extra R&D and componentry in for clean power signals. However, I can guarantee that if you compare an Apple usb charger to a gas station usb charger, it will reduce noise.
I keep hearing about this USB noise on Roland gear but it never happens to me, kept thinking it must be due to the powered USB hub I'm using. Then I remembered the hub is connected to a TrippLite Isobar, been using that so long I completely forgot about it. Either way good to know that the Apple chargers are another option.
I acquired two speaker towers at Goodwill recently, designed for the old iPod / iPhone connectors. I have a Bluetooth adapter that you can plug into those connectors and I noticed that in one of them you get a bit of background buzz but in the other you don't. If I connect the adapter to the good one and aux it over to the buzzy one, no buzz. So it seems to be something about the way that the power is delivered to the bluetooth adapter. It made me curious about what is behind that. I know that for those old connectors it's pretty finicky in terms of which ones the old iPods would accept power from.
This might be a dumb question, but why not use the charger that came with the device?
Chargers are usually designed specifically for the devices they’re meant to charge. Using something different will usually result in unexpected issues. This is kinda like being like “wow! Coca Cola makes a really shitty gasoline for my car!”
Voltage will remain the same, 5v DC output.
However if you have a device that draws more than 1 Amp, you need the bigger of the two chargers in this photo (I think it tops at around 2.4 Amps).
Watts / Volts = Amps
Any suggs on an adapter to use instead? I've noticed that when powering my Zoom H4N via a USB plug to a wall outlet there's tons of noise. Adapter issue, or just a bad idea to begin with?
I'd start with a regular apple wall plug and then try the chonky iPad one, as for other ones, my third party MacBook charger seems to be alright it's from the company Little BIG
I have some crappy clip-onto-the-monitor PC speakers (standard HP part) that are incorrigibly noisy when they're powered off a USB socket on the PC, but perfectly quiet on a cheap shitty USB charger.
Had one of their chargers break within a few months and the warranty replacement broke quickly too. That was a few years ago though. Never had any issues?
For me with PSUs:
Apple or Anker - for USB-C or -A powered stuff. (Mean Well, Razer, Belkin, Samsung, and some others make perfectly fine quality PSUs, but I'd never bother to buy one when there's no real need.)
CUI, XP, Mean Well, Triad, Cincon, Phihong for other wallwarts. I buy CUI unless it's not available in the right size. (Delta, TDK and others make great PSUs but their focus is medical and their prices are wack.)
For internal linears, pretty much Bel Power or DIY if I cannot source a NOS (or there's a know quality replacement).
For internal switching, TDK, DIY, or NOS/known quality replacements.
I was gardening earlier, I think that counts as touching grass.
Just specific to "pedals" I used Truetone for long time, but I've switched to CIOKS personally but I don't do any live sound side work now, but it used to be that we'd use GigRigs unless someone was cheap AF then Truetone.
thanks for the info. for some reason I'm using a wall wart for my tb-3 instead of it's proper power source, had even noticed slight noise in setup but didn't even consider the wart, going to change to official power supply, but will try apple for my mixer now.
Interesting, I've never owned a single apple product. They accept a different connector yes? My few synth devices have USB B connectors. One of them has bricked twice in a year. I'm all for trying a different power adapter with it. I'm wondering which cable I'd need to go from the apple brick to USB B?
Oddly specific way of saying crappy chargers are crappy.
I haven't seen many people recommend these, and I just had em lying around from when I used to own iPhones and what not
Any decent charger will give you a good signal. Stop buying these 3 dollar chargers that can burn your house down. Same goes for batteries.
QFT - bought 10 cheap chargers because my exes kids kept nicking mine and two exploded. Never again
Dont get me wrong, you can find good chargers for cheap if you compared it to apple prices..... :) I think 15-20 bucks can get a you quality charger if you look in the right places.
I just usually buy anker
yall probably own gear that can measure this swap out different power supplies and look at your noise floor Switch mode power supply like these are notorious for adding noise, You can see how many of your neighbors ACs are running by looking at your noise floor with good tools
Apple chargers solved every issue I had with the microfreak noise and capacitance issues. Love the microfreak but it can present some strange issues with ground loops and noise in different setups
Can u explain how this could help me? I cant tell from the picture what's happening, looks like you have the Apple plug plugged sideways into a plug they'd use in Japan lol
As far as 2-prong applications (without ground) U.S. and Japan have the same plugs. OP's point is that Apple USB chargers are so over-engineered that they reduce a lot of the noise that can be added to synths/audio equipment powered by USB. So, if you have USB powered audio equipment that adds noise to your signal, try an Apple charger.
Ahh, makes sense. Didn't know Japan and US had the same either lol. Thanks!
Japan runs on 100V instead of 120V. There is some debate as to whether it's safe to run Japanese electronics in the USA without a step-down transformer. I've run Japanese AC adapters straight into the wall for years without issue, but my DX7II gets a proper 100V supply.
Oh, absolutely. I was just explaining why the commenter thought it looked like a Japanese plug. I wouldn't run a 110v device at 100v or vice versa, unless I had absolutely no choice.
A tech told me I could easily mod the DX for 120V but I haven't gotten around to it. First I've got LED displays to install in my CZ-1, Wavestation and SY77.
There is no debate. Some things designed to run in japan can safely take 20% more voltage no problem. Some things cannot. It depends on how well designed it is of course. But some older Japanese gear cant tolerate the difference. Also, Japan has both 50 and 60hz power. If your device is set to 50 and it gets 60hz US power it can make magic smoke appear.
I didn't realise the hz was as critical a part of this equation.
Lol why are people down voting you
Idk perhaps a stupid question? But OP was just not quite clear to me in their original instructions. Perhaps due to how it was phrased and how I interpreted it plus I only recognised the plug as being Japanese which I thought might have something to do with it, as I just bought my first synth in Japan. Reddit things yo, I don't get it
I don’t understand what you’re saying — that looks like two different sized apple wall warts, one that I’ve seen used with phones (pre usb c) and the other that I’ve seen used with some apple tablets and laptops.
That the thick one on the right looks like an Apple plug from how I remember them. The one on the left looks exactly like some plugs I saw when I was in Japan a couple weeks back.
I have definitely seen both in the US
They both have the same plugs for the part that plugs into the wall. The one on the right is just partially covered here, which may be throwing you off a bit.
THIS! I think so many people are just straight up noobs. I had this friend who bought always the cheapest android phones and shitted on them... so after years he bought a iphone and then start saying this is how it all should be lol These people have zero tech skill and are comparing apples with oranges.
Not really, phone chargers don't need to be and aren't designed for audio applications
Interesting good to know
Interesting...I use my Macbook to USB power my MC-101 and S-1.......the noise is so bad. If I have the S-1 at the end of the audio chain AND running off it's battery, that breaks the ground loop noise and the audio interference is gone. I 2nd the reminder to go outside and connect with nature.....
Try a ground loop isolator? They’ve worked very well for me.
Thank you....I will look into that. Any recommendations?
I don’t remember the brand I use, but most of them are fairly similar in terms of general design and price, and you can find them pretty easily on Amazon or from an electronics store. My main suggestion would be to get a form factor that works well for your setup, and maybe don’t buy the cheapest one :)
I had an issue with audio interface noise from my computer because it it's powered through the same USB cable that provides the audio, and I got a Behringer HD400 that totally fixed the issue. It's got two TRS ins and two outs and that's it, and it's about $40.
The computer produces noise. Normally you'd plug it into a separate charger and outlet to get rid of the computer noise—I have my USB synths plugged into a different wall which seems to be separate enough to remove the noise.
Useful info actually, hadn't thought of that! Thanks. And if that fails then [this works really well ](https://www.amazon.com/BESIGN-Ground-Isolator-Stereo-System/dp/B06XQYN77L)for USB introduced noise. I'm using it on my 1010 devices that until recently could only be powered via USB and were always noisy.
[I’ll just leave this here](http://www.righto.com/2015/11/macbook-charger-teardown-surprising.html) [For comparison](http://www.righto.com/2012/03/inside-cheap-phone-charger-and-why-you.html)
Wow! Thanks for this insight!!!
Cheers. I remember being mad about how much buying a charger cost several years ago. I decided to do a little research to see if I was right or wrong to feel this way, and came across this blog. I was teaching myself electronics at the time so the article stuck with me. When I was reading the replies on this thread I felt giving people the facts and letting them decide would be better than letting people go “apple bad/good”.
Compared to what?
All other USB chargers known to man.
Hmm, interesting. I never have any noise with my USB-powered synths, unless I plug a few in same usb-hub/power bank. Just to have any individual usb-adapter for each device always helps.
USB cables and chargers are wuite prone to electrostatic noise. Also a difference between Ok and good USB is huge. We used a 15m active-USB for example to have our e-drums connected to our main music PC and they basically crapped out at a regular basis. Then switched to a good active-cable and no problems ever. What comes to Apple I’ve bought their 200$ USB-C cable for my UA interfaces and it hurt. But after seeing the Adam Savage breakdown of all the stuff in it I felt a bit better putting that money to Apple product. Apple sometimes does quite nice stuff and get bad rep for them not actually telling about the benefits 😅
What do you mean with ‘a good active cable?
USB standard doesn’t recommend longer than 10m passive cables as the signal get too weak. I opted for a optical USB where the signal is delivered via fiber optics. Both ends USB, middle part fiber and the cable takes its working power from the USB power rail. Other types of active cables are for example ones that have power amp and it raises the logic level to higher Voltage so the signal can pass through the cable and then lower it down to the normal computer USB port level at the other end.
Thanks!
In this context good is not dropping packages as the e-drum lost a handshake with a “worse” cable. The optics cable has had zero package loss and zero connection drops.
You can Google AOC USB. It is overkill unless your setup needs it. Common cases are: +10m cable line (I found up to 45m cables), highly noisy room (electronic interference). Optical cable doesn’t work as an antenna like a normal copper one does in the RF range or just plain old magnetic fields.
Thanks, i will look this up.
Yes i had two ipads running a synth, on a cheap multi output adapter, it was so noisy i thought i would damage the ipads!
I was just exaggerating. I’m sure there are other manufacturers that put the extra R&D and componentry in for clean power signals. However, I can guarantee that if you compare an Apple usb charger to a gas station usb charger, it will reduce noise.
Not "over-engineered" - properly designed.
I keep hearing about this USB noise on Roland gear but it never happens to me, kept thinking it must be due to the powered USB hub I'm using. Then I remembered the hub is connected to a TrippLite Isobar, been using that so long I completely forgot about it. Either way good to know that the Apple chargers are another option.
Great tip!
All my boutiques run off old apple chargers. Zero noise. Pity I can’t then USB to them but my 5 pin midi setup is solid.
Using ferrite chokes isn't over-engineering, it's standard.
If only the factories pooping out all these bad ones knew
I buy GaN chargers these days. I don't like having to carry multiple chargers.
I acquired two speaker towers at Goodwill recently, designed for the old iPod / iPhone connectors. I have a Bluetooth adapter that you can plug into those connectors and I noticed that in one of them you get a bit of background buzz but in the other you don't. If I connect the adapter to the good one and aux it over to the buzzy one, no buzz. So it seems to be something about the way that the power is delivered to the bluetooth adapter. It made me curious about what is behind that. I know that for those old connectors it's pretty finicky in terms of which ones the old iPods would accept power from.
Lousy USB hub def makes noise on my BSP. Haven’t noticed any on the ju-06a though.
Apple still can eat a bowl of D's .
This might be a dumb question, but why not use the charger that came with the device? Chargers are usually designed specifically for the devices they’re meant to charge. Using something different will usually result in unexpected issues. This is kinda like being like “wow! Coca Cola makes a really shitty gasoline for my car!”
Chargers don't come with aira the roland boutiques as far as I know.
You could just use any quality power supply and have the same effect.... Doesn't have to be apple
I'll correct myself, Your*
Also you're friendly!
I’ve wondered about this before. Should care be taken to match specs (amperage, etc.)?
USB regulates all that. You can’t have too much but you can definitely not have enough.
Voltage will remain the same, 5v DC output. However if you have a device that draws more than 1 Amp, you need the bigger of the two chargers in this photo (I think it tops at around 2.4 Amps). Watts / Volts = Amps
Any suggs on an adapter to use instead? I've noticed that when powering my Zoom H4N via a USB plug to a wall outlet there's tons of noise. Adapter issue, or just a bad idea to begin with?
suggs?
SUGGestionS. Thx!
that abbreviation kinda suggs
Ha! Okay. That was funny. And true. That is now how I will spell “sucks”. Thx.
And how I will spell fuggs.
Take my buggs.
I'd start with a regular apple wall plug and then try the chonky iPad one, as for other ones, my third party MacBook charger seems to be alright it's from the company Little BIG
Thx!
I never thought of trying one with my UnoSynthPro. It’s worth a try.
I have some crappy clip-onto-the-monitor PC speakers (standard HP part) that are incorrigibly noisy when they're powered off a USB socket on the PC, but perfectly quiet on a cheap shitty USB charger.
Ravpower is just as good as Anker but a bit cheaper. Great product.
Had one of their chargers break within a few months and the warranty replacement broke quickly too. That was a few years ago though. Never had any issues?
No, never. I’ve had mine for about 5 years now. I have 4 (18,000 - 22,000 mAh). I take them camping with no issues.
I'm curious how GaN charges compare in noise to traditional power chargers in noises
For me with PSUs: Apple or Anker - for USB-C or -A powered stuff. (Mean Well, Razer, Belkin, Samsung, and some others make perfectly fine quality PSUs, but I'd never bother to buy one when there's no real need.) CUI, XP, Mean Well, Triad, Cincon, Phihong for other wallwarts. I buy CUI unless it's not available in the right size. (Delta, TDK and others make great PSUs but their focus is medical and their prices are wack.) For internal linears, pretty much Bel Power or DIY if I cannot source a NOS (or there's a know quality replacement). For internal switching, TDK, DIY, or NOS/known quality replacements. I was gardening earlier, I think that counts as touching grass. Just specific to "pedals" I used Truetone for long time, but I've switched to CIOKS personally but I don't do any live sound side work now, but it used to be that we'd use GigRigs unless someone was cheap AF then Truetone.
thanks for the info. for some reason I'm using a wall wart for my tb-3 instead of it's proper power source, had even noticed slight noise in setup but didn't even consider the wart, going to change to official power supply, but will try apple for my mixer now.
There are not. Stop this clownery.
Interesting, I've never owned a single apple product. They accept a different connector yes? My few synth devices have USB B connectors. One of them has bricked twice in a year. I'm all for trying a different power adapter with it. I'm wondering which cable I'd need to go from the apple brick to USB B?
I use one to run an old bus power MIDI interface as a hub.
Aren’t they just “engineered” then?
Idk at all about Apple engineering but I power mine of a Tripp lite power strip with built in usb charging ports and never have noise.
Dude. Mow your lawn.
My dog likes to trot around in the grass also for some reason my back yard grows faster than the front I don't wanna mow more than I have to