DBX 163x, Why so noisy?

[Booda]

I've had mine a couple years and mostly use it on Kick and when I want to plug in a bass real qwick. I knew going in that they were supposedly not the quietest units but mine has a white noise hiss "Shhhhhhhhhh" that is pretty damn loud. Are they all like that? All my tracks are quiet except the ones I record w/ the 163x. When everythings going you can't hear it but when things quiet down the 163 really stands out. Sure I can cut up that track when possible but sometimes it's not.

So I know, use it when I can... but I'm just wondering if mine is a little noisier than most?

Thanks,
B.

[tarnationsauce2]

Tell us some more how you're using it. And your signal chain.
It shouldn't be *that* noisy.

[Booda]

Well, either Mic (D6,57,ect...) - Mic Cable (Blue Kiwi) - 163x XLR in - Sytek Pre - out to Layla24. Or if I use the Direct input for some quick Bass guitar same thing...

Actually, maybe that's my problem... I should probably be going into the Sytek pre first and then to the 163x. That's how I run my channels w/ RNC comps. Would going into the 163x 1st possibly cause the "Shhhhhhh" noise? I can't remember why I did it like that , it was a few years ago... but I must have had a reason.

Thanks for the help,
B.

[rsolinski]

Mic pre first..then compressor....always!

Ray

[tarnationsauce2]

Let us know if correcing the order sounds better.
I have a feeling it's goig to be night and day.

Sucks though, all the tracks you recorded that way are flawed.

[Booda]

Hey guys, sorry for the momentary laps of reason... I went out of town and forgot where I was at.

So I did/do have everything hooked up right. I think I was just searching for an answer... & I too wondered how/why I could have hooked it up wrong. (I had been on too much Vicodin & Oxycotin is what I was thinking) (Prescribed OF Course)

So here's what's happening... I use Cubase SX the Inputs start at -oo w/ a faint signal @ -85 and a decent signal @ -10 to -1 & if it goes to +1 or up it would be clipping.
In Cubase SX when my Sytek is Muted all my channells read -oo (totally silent) except the DBX163.
It reads -60 w/ the slider far left -50 slider in the middle and -44 far right. I will only use it at about 1/4 because after that the Shhhhhhhh-white noise is just too loud.

BUT, when I plug into the Hi-Z Input w/ my Bass the white noise cuts in 1/2 and...
It reads -85 w/ the slider far left -78 slider in the middle and -73 far right.

I think this Noise is what it's known for and can be livable. Any suggestions? Could this be some type of Ground Loop problem or Balanced/Unbalanced situation? I have No other Ground problems and the DBX163 is plugged into a Furman Power strip. I am using TRS cables between my Sytek and RNCs which drop the input -6db (another thing on my list to change). But the DBX163 to my Layla24 is a plain 1/4".

If there's more I can explain just let me know.

Thanks,
B.