DI box for recording electric guitar and synth

[dontouch]

I have a firepod and each of its inputs accept both XLR and 1/4". I tried plugging the guitar into one of them...The first time there was no buzz but the 2nd time there was a buzz. I plugged my Korg synth into the same channel...no buzz but there was a hum on certain sounds... My guitar sounded clean on my bass amp. I was told I need a DI box. I did some research and there are so many of them! Which one do I need? Can anyone recommend a good and affordable one for guitar and keyboard use (live and studio)? Thanks in advance, gurus!

P.S. Will this one do the job? http://bit.ly/iiPWOn

 

[gecko zzed]

A DI won't hurt, but should not really be necessary. The firepod's first two channels are intended for instrument use, and the cable lengths are not likely to create problems.

If you are getting noise, then you should firstly look at your guitar leads and their connections. The Korg has a line-level ouptut, so should really go into channels other than 1 and 2 (unless you plug it in from the back of the firepod.

 

[dontouch]

A DI won't hurt, but should not really be necessary. The firepod's first two channels are intended for instrument use, and the cable lengths are not likely to create problems.

If you are getting noise, then you should firstly look at your guitar leads and their connections. The Korg has a line-level ouptut, so should really go into channels other than 1 and 2 (unless you plug it in from the back of the firepod.

A DI won't hurt, but should not really be necessary. The firepod's first two channels are intended for instrument use, and the cable lengths are not likely to create problems.

If you are getting noise, then you should firstly look at your guitar leads and their connections. The Korg has a line-level ouptut, so should really go into channels other than 1 and 2 (unless you plug it in from the back of the firepod.

That's so good to know. I found the FP manual and it did suggest that Input 1 & 2 are high-z inputs.

However, this buzz noise really concerns me. Because I tested out another guitar (also sounded fine out of an amp) on the input 1 and 2, both had buzz...I tested a microphone as well, first to input 3 and 4, no problem there. Then input 1 and 2, both had buzz. So, does that suggest something's wrong with those two inputs?

The strange thing was, I did some guitar tracking (DI into the said channel) a week ago and they sounded clean. I solo the tracks and up the level to max, did not hear any buzz. I did vocal tracking two days ago and didn't notice any noise. What did I miss?

Also, when the korg goes into Input 3, you don't get enough level even if you turn the trim up to max. But when goes into input 1 or 2, you can a decent level at 12 o'clock. Why is that?

 

[Aldwyn]

I hate to ask a silly question, but do you have the phantom power turned off on channels one and two?

The phantom power being on, of course, can certainly cause hum on anything other than an XLR cable into a device needing phantom power.


As mentioned, you should have no hum at all, and a DI shouldn't be needed for the Firepod. I've never used one, and have had excellent results for the several years I have owned mine. (I take it back... I occasionally use a POD XT, but only for the amp modeling, not as a DI!)

 

[bouldersoundguy]

I hate to ask a silly question, but do you have the phantom power turned off on channels one and two?

The phantom power being on, of course, can certainly cause hum on anything other than an XLR cable into a device needing phantom power.

I can't think of a device I've seen the block diagram for that passed phantom power to the 1/4" inputs, especially high impedance instruments inputs. Besides, phantom is direct current so not really a candidate for causing hum.