[sdiy] Eurorack Grounding Question

[Neil Johnson]

Hi,

> Hi, I'm designing a Eurorack module which uses a microcontroller. The
> PCB has separate analogue and digital grounds joined at the power input
> header, but I've realised since designing it that both grounds will also
> be shorted together by the front panel as there are input jacks
> connected to the digital ground and output jacks connected to the
> analogue ground. I assume this would create an ground loop. Would I be
> better off not bothering with separate grounds?

Split ground planes should be treated with utmost caution - you'd
probably be better off using a single ground plane on the board, but
think about where the noise current will flow.

As for front panels, Tony's suggestion is about the best you can
achieve with Eurorack.

Beyond that you're into professional balanced connections using XLRs
or Bantams, and then the reference is AES48 and the so-called "Pin 1
Problem":
https://www.aes.org/publications/standards/search.cfm?docID=44
https://www.ranecommercial.com/legacy/note165.html
http://pin1problem.com/

Further good links on this page:
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/chip-amps/269914-pin-1-a.html

Cheers,
Neil