Lets play...Name that noise interference!!

[RockNRoll]

Hello all,

Actually, I don't even know if it's possible to pinpoint a potential source of noise interference just by how it sounds...but just in case this one's a typical or unique one, let me attempt to describe it.....

With a guitar plugged direct into studio rig via amp simulator...the noise I'm getting is not a sustained hum or an overly noisy buzz (there is some of that, but not too much of a big deal) but a regular, intermittent faint high pitched noise that resembles noises similar to the tones we hear when receiving a fax (its not in your face, but somewhat noticeable)...It happens regularly and I had the gtr pick ups (with hot invader seymour duncan pickup) checked for grounding issues, and it seemed to check out fine...However, when using another guitar (with PAF pickups), that particular noise did not seem to be much of a problem...

Could this just be a case of accepting and dealing with the inevitable consequences of having a 'hotter' bridge pick up? Or is there a solution to this issue to help alleviate that faint intermittent high pitched noise? (When that noise flares up, it all goes to tape during the recording session, although it's not totally in your face...it is somewhat noticeable and it would be nice to get 'cleaner' takes in the future if this issue can be resolved.)

Thanks for playing and for your advice!! Take care...and now a word from our sponsors...

[owel]

>With a guitar plugged direct into studio rig via amp simulator
> intermittent faint high pitched noise that resembles noises similar to the tones we hear when receiving a fax

I've heard this type of noise... usually caused by switching power supplies. Especially those cheap adapters or laptop brick power supplies housed in plastic cases... they are the worst!

You can try using a DI box between the guitar and your amp simulator, or between the amp simulator and your mixer (or audio interface).

I would get a DI box that is passive designed, i.e. using transformers. Radial makes excellent ones using Jensen transformers.

[Jim]

the noise I'm getting is ... regular, intermittent...

How can it be both regular and intermittent... Isn't that like Military Intelligence, or Holy War?

Sorry, slow day. Could it be radio interference? That can be fixed by shielding or just moving to a different spot in the studio.

[Spikey Horse]

... Isn't that like Military Intelligence, or Holy War?

...or Logic






couldn't resist!

[RockNRoll]

it means that it occurs regularly at intermittent intervals...but interesting how u were able to make a joke outta this one...quite an imagination indeed

[jon]

Hello all,

Actually, I don't even know if it's possible to pinpoint a potential source of noise interference just by how it sounds...but just in case this one's a typical or unique one, let me attempt to describe it.....

With a guitar plugged direct into studio rig via amp simulator...the noise I'm getting is not a sustained hum or an overly noisy buzz (there is some of that, but not too much of a big deal) but a regular, intermittent faint high pitched noise that resembles noises similar to the tones we hear when receiving a fax (its not in your face, but somewhat noticeable)...It happens regularly and I had the gtr pick ups (with hot invader seymour duncan pickup) checked for grounding issues, and it seemed to check out fine...However, when using another guitar (with PAF pickups), that particular noise did not seem to be much of a problem...

Could this just be a case of accepting and dealing with the inevitable consequences of having a 'hotter' bridge pick up? Or is there a solution to this issue to help alleviate that faint intermittent high pitched noise? (When that noise flares up, it all goes to tape during the recording session, although it's not totally in your face...it is somewhat noticeable and it would be nice to get 'cleaner' takes in the future if this issue can be resolved.)

Thanks for playing and for your advice!! Take care...and now a word from our sponsors...

I was just about to post this same Q. I on occasion I jam with a bass player and he uses the bass we have here in the studio which is a Yamaha R8X5. Since I do not have cabinet or Bass amp we run the bass either thru the Grace 101 then into a RNC or to an Amp Sim then into Mackie 800 then into the 2408Mk3 or just Amp Sim into the 2408. Either way we get a nice buzz or god awfull hum magnified thru the headphone amp. It's got to be the pickups on the bass. Would a DI help or try another bass?

[owel]

>we run the bass either thru the Grace 101 then into a RNC or to an Amp Sim then into Mackie 800 then into the 2408Mk3 or just Amp Sim into the 2408.

No, no no... No wonder you get an awful hum!

Bass guitars and electric guitars have high impedances. Mic preamps like the Grace 101 expect to see a low impedance mic at its inputs... plug a guitar into a mic input and it's a recipe for lots of noise, hum and bad sound!

Get a DI box... preferably a passive one, using transformers. The RADIAL DI boxes uses Jensen transformers which are excellent!

The DI Box will
a. Match impedance
b. Prevent ground loops
c. And because it prevents ground loops, hum is also eliminated
d. And because there is no direct connection between the bass guitar and the preamp (due to the transformer), you'd get a quieter signal too, free from noise.

Also, do you need all that in your signal chain? Why not go

Bass ---> DI Box ---> Grace 101 ----> 2408 audio interface

The less stuff you have in between, the less you'll muck up the original sound. i.e. don't have too many cooks in the kitchen

[jon]

>we run the bass either thru the Grace 101 then into a RNC or to an Amp Sim then into Mackie 800 then into the 2408Mk3 or just Amp Sim into the 2408.

No, no no... No wonder you get an awful hum!

Bass guitars and electric guitars have high impedances. Mic preamps like the Grace 101 expect to see a low impedance mic at its inputs... plug a guitar into a mic input and it's a recipe for lots of noise, hum and bad sound!

Get a DI box... preferably a passive one, using transformers. The RADIAL DI boxes uses Jensen transformers which are excellent!

The DI Box will
a. Match impedance
b. Prevent ground loops
c. And because it prevents ground loops, hum is also eliminated
d. And because there is no direct connection between the bass guitar and the preamp (due to the transformer), you'd get a quieter signal too, free from noise.

Also, do you need all that in your signal chain? Why not go

Bass ---> DI Box ---> Grace 101 ----> 2408 audio interface

The less stuff you have in between, the less you'll muck up the original sound. i.e. don't have too many cooks in the kitchen

Thank you much owel makes perfect sense.

[jon]

>we run the bass either thru the Grace 101 then into a RNC or to an Amp Sim then into Mackie 800 then into the 2408Mk3 or just Amp Sim into the 2408.

No, no no... No wonder you get an awful hum!

Bass guitars and electric guitars have high impedances. Mic preamps like the Grace 101 expect to see a low impedance mic at its inputs... plug a guitar into a mic input and it's a recipe for lots of noise, hum and bad sound!

Get a DI box... preferably a passive one, using transformers. The RADIAL DI boxes uses Jensen transformers which are excellent!

The DI Box will
a. Match impedance
b. Prevent ground loops
c. And because it prevents ground loops, hum is also eliminated
d. And because there is no direct connection between the bass guitar and the preamp (due to the transformer), you'd get a quieter signal too, free from noise.

Also, do you need all that in your signal chain? Why not go

Bass ---> DI Box ---> Grace 101 ----> 2408 audio interface

The less stuff you have in between, the less you'll muck up the original sound. i.e. don't have too many cooks in the kitchen

I experimented regarding your advice and knowmatter how I set it up using a Whirlwind DI Box I got the same hum and buzz. I guess it must be the bass guitar.

-jon

[owel]

Some other things to consider:

Are all your gear plugged into the same AC line/strip?

Do you have a different guitar or bass you can try? See if that will also hum or not.

Is there a hum when the bass guitar is not plugged in?

We just need to find out where the hum is coming in. If the hum is caused by ground loops, then the DI box will stop it.

If the hum is the actual "signal" travelling through the wire, a DI box will not stop it. It will be just like playing a synth with a 60hz sine wave form.

[jon]

Some other things to consider:

Are all your gear plugged into the same AC line/strip?

Do you have a different guitar or bass you can try? See if that will also hum or not.

Is there a hum when the bass guitar is not plugged in?

We just need to find out where the hum is coming in. If the hum is caused by ground loops, then the DI box will stop it.

If the hum is the actual "signal" travelling through the wire, a DI box will not stop it. It will be just like playing a synth with a 60hz sine wave form.

Well owel we made it. I found the problem and 4 cables later the hum no longer exists. Much appreciated. ':D'

&

I owe a big appology to one four string red bass guitar ..

[donreynolds]

Just a thought...If I have my cell phone around, even if I don't receive calls, very frequently I get a sound through my system similar to what you described. I have to turn it off, or remove it from the room.

Of course this may not even be your situation.
God bless,
Don

[donreynolds]

Sorry, I did not see the post where you found the problem.
Don

[jon]

Sorry, I did not see the post where you found the problem.
Don

About two weeks ago I had a single-use digital camera in the studio. You know the kind you can buy from a Rite Aide and use it once and return it for your disk of digital pictures. I had all my equipment switched on and decided to take a photo of the daw setup. As soon as I took a shot I heard a really high pitched sound started to twine away endlessly through my speakers. I turned off everything then switched off the camera and turned the rig back on again and the noise disappeared.