Background noise!

[davekershaw]

I'm trying to get the best level when recording, but when I get it to the level I want I get noise - white, pink, brown I don't know!I'm going through a Firebox.Happens with guitar and mike.I know you will get some noise whenever you set the levels too high,but I'm not going into the red.It's coming out on the recordings, so it's not the speakers or headphones.Anyone got any suggestions please?

[aimusic]

hey Dave,Yeah hope it aint brown noise coz I've heard that's supposed to get the bowel movements going... I get the same as you, I use the Firebox and whenever I turn that sucker up - that little hiss comes in... the problem is we're not achieving a decent level going in. I've heard that a nice D.I. box should help with that... but then again I could be wrong.Take CareB

[mojobone]

Sept 26, 2008, 7:59am, aimusic wrote:I do think he's talking about the general hiss you pick up from the pre in the firebox... I think anything over 12 starts to generate a hiss, the louder you get, the louder the hiss becomes, that's why I think he's gotta try and establish a decent level without having to boost the gain on the pre....It goes to twelve? That's one more than eleven, innit! If the knob's at twelve, maybe shop for a mic with lower self-noise and higher output. But since it appears the noise being heard isn't being recorded, it interferes with monitoring only, less of a problem, and as milfus said, easier to tackle. Probably a gain-staging issue.

[davekershaw]

Thanks all.No loose connections.Tried unplugging everything, and switched off nearby mains cables.Also turned off other computer.Speakers are set to full input.I'm getting the same problem through the headphones!Tried updating the firmware too.Main thing is, it's not recording the sound,so it's not so urgent.Will keep searching! Cheers,Dave.

[davekershaw]

Sept 26, 2008, 10:04am, milfus wrote:aha, are you plugged into the same outlet/power strip?if not maybe re-organize that you areI am just goin down the list, we will get itNo, the Firebox is powered by the firewire bus.an' the hip bone's connected to the ... leg bone!

[prez]

Sept 26, 2008, 7:59am, aimusic wrote:I do think he's talking about the general hiss you pick up from the pre in the firebox... I think anything over 12 starts to generate a hiss, the louder you get, the louder the hiss becomes, that's why I think he's gotta try and establish a decent level without having to boost the gain on the pre....lol! Just totally ignored this advice and it sounds like it may be the problem. Jude 2

[mojobone]

Sept 27, 2008, 5:26am, prez wrote:Sept 26, 2008, 7:59am, aimusic wrote:I do think he's talking about the general hiss you pick up from the pre in the firebox... I think anything over 12 starts to generate a hiss, the louder you get, the louder the hiss becomes, that's why I think he's gotta try and establish a decent level without having to boost the gain on the pre....lol! Just totally ignored this advice and it sounds like it may be the problem. Jude 2Probably not the preamp itself, as the issue shows up in the monitors but not the recording.@Matt: He's powering the Firepbox from the firewire bus, so no voltage mismatch applies, but the bus power could be picking up interference from an internal fan or power supply.

[davekershaw]

Quote:@Matt: He's powering the Firepbox from the firewire bus, so no voltage mismatch applies, but the bus power could be picking up interference from an internal fan or power supply.It's Monday morning, an' I'm back on it!I was going to say the same Mojo, but thanks for your input Matt.And thanks Prez. I didn't ignore it. It's just not as simple as that; it happens at low volume too. That would come under: "novice, who doesn't know you'll get noise if you turn the volume too high". I'll try the mains power, if I can find a suitable adaptor.We're 240 volts here, so I gotta get it right, otherwise the problemwill be which interface to replace the Firebox with! Will let you know what transpires.

[davekershaw]

Sept 29, 2008, 2:59am, aimusic wrote:I know this might sound daft, but any chance the hiss is coming from your speakers? I mean I know some speakers if you turn them up fully, they pump out a slight hiss sound? just a thought....No, it's not daft Brad, but the sound also comes through the headphones!

[davekershaw]

It's not the power fellas!In Sonar, as playback hits each separate track, the noise increases.Even though it's not recording, it's annoying when trying to mix.I don't get it!!