How can I get rid of hum...?

[waltergrund]

Hi there,

just recently I had to record an electric guitar-duett. For one sound I used a single-coil PU with a SRV-like Blues-sound.
PLUS: it was the first time I listened through my new headphones (Beyerdynamik DT 770 PRO) to an isolated el-guitar like this.

There was so much noise!! (constant Hum, especially when eq-ing higher frequencies)
I did this:
- checking chords, monitors off, checking power-supply of effectboard (Boss GT8), grounding everything. I use a firewire audio-interface (Presonus 8 channel)

Then today I recorded with my mobile-interface (Tascam US122) and realized for the first time how noisy it is. I was recording stereo-electric guitar and it recorded a low signal of the audio-click!) I turned the click way down, then it was okay...

> Did my ears get better or my equipment worse...?

Then I recorded clean guitar and added Guitar Rig5 to that signal. That got better concerning some noise, but not all of it.
Any ideas...?

Thanks,
Walter

[cardell]

... it was the first time I listened through my new headphones (Beyerdynamik DT 770 PRO) to an isolated el-guitar like this.

There was so much noise!! (constant Hum, especially when eq-ing higher frequencies)

..yes! I know exactly what you're talking about here.

I have a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO's. The detail on those Beyerdynamic cans is quite stunning (probably even a little better than my monitors).

With my stock USA Fender Strat, I have to use a (noise) gate on guitar tracks. It takes me a while to set it right, but to me, it's a essential part of my guitar signal chain.

> Did my ears get better or my equipment worse...?

Your gear got better!

Stuart

[bassman]

I think the first I would do is try and find out where the noise comes from.

- Are you using presets on your Boss? Sometimes presets can have a lot of
unnecessary effects. Try taking some of them off.

- Any leads next to mains cables?

- Is output of Boss at full blast, if not try that and
reduce input recording level on interface

I assume you don't use a guitar amp and that the noise doesn't come from there.

[waltergrund]

- Are you using presets on your Boss? Sometimes presets can have a lot of
unnecessary effects. Try taking some of them off.

Yes, I do and I set back some eq./No amp used. It's just an amp-model that causes way more noise than even a heavier model PLUS I want to use that single coil-PU...!

- Any leads next to mains cables?

NO

- Is output of Boss at full blast, if not try that and
reduce input recording level on interface

Okay, I might check that; there's still some headroom;
The noise gate works fine, but only eliminates noise when nothing is played. That's not a problem-I can cut all of that out. The hum will still be heard as soon as there's a signal.

All of that is not a problem when there's a full band playing, but with an electric soloed in that way, it is...

[thekman]

Hey Walter-

I had this problem too and I started turning away from my computer and some of the noise decreased.

I'm sure you know, but a single coil pickup will always have a bit of noise, especially with any gain, compression or high eq'd freq.

I use Gtr Rig and I roll off all highs from 10K up usually.

Not sure if any of that helps, but good luck!

Kyle

[Len911]

I wonder if a di box with an isolation transformer might help?

http://www.radialeng.com/r2011/prodi.php

[andygabrys]

I think K-man has the idea.

they are single coil pickups, which are notoriously noisy and pick up interference from overhead lighting (esp fluorescent) and computer monitors among other things.

that's the whole reason why a lot of people use lightly wound humbuckers in a single coil slot, or ones like the Fender Noiseless series which I have on my american Deluxe strat.

The good news is, all of these alternatives cut down on hum.

the bad news is, they all doen't have quite the same snap and chime that authentic single coil pickups have.

Some people have also had good results by installing magnetic shielding tape in the cavities of the guitar where all the wiring is.

A good way to tell if its just the usual strat pickup noise is to go to in-between positions 2 and 4 on a 5 position switch (or finesse the selector switch so it sits in those positions if you have an older vintage style 3 way selector switch). the in-between positions are basically hum-cancelling but wired opposite of a traditional humbucker.

If the hum mostly goes away, its guitar and pickup related. change out the pickups and you might get rid of the problem.

there are lots out there:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov98/a ... pickup.htm - yeah its old, but guitar tech is old too.

[jazzstan]

A few years ago, I bought some KINMAN noiseless single coil pickups for my Strat .. they're made by a chap down under. The are indeed hum-free. Brighter than heck, so they need some mid-low boost, but they are great for recording. No more doing the "twist" before each take. Ha ha .

[waltergrund]

Hey Walter-

I had this problem too and I started turning away from my computer and some of the noise decreased.

I'm sure you know, but a single coil pickup will always have a bit of noise, especially with any gain, compression or high eq'd freq.

I use Gtr Rig and I roll off all highs from 10K up usually.

Not sure if any of that helps, but good luck!

Kyle

Yes, thank you! I already did everything you mentioned before
Especially with high eq on and compression even clean sounds started to give some noise. Of course, it's not a big hum, but I think I have to get better...

[waltergrund]

I wonder if a di box with an isolation transformer might help?

http://www.radialeng.com/r2011/prodi.php

Also already tried that
No better...

Walter