How can i get the "hum noise / buzz" at (-306db), when recording guitars direct?

[underp]

How can i get the "hum noise / buzz" at (-306db), when recording guitars direct?

Basically what i want is a clean guitar signal, with no hum noise, no buzz, and process that through a pedal to get the most defined distortion possible.

Any tip ?

i have a mackie 1202 and a zoom 505 pedal.

 

[Track Rat]

Humbucking pickups and a gate?

 

[Farview]

-306db! I wish I had that noise floor.

Turn off the computer monitor. and do what Track Rat said if that isn't enough.

 

[underp]

well... is obvious that i'm exaggerating, you know hehe.

but yeah, what i want is basically a clean signal and pass through some fx box emulator or some pedal, to get a most defined distortion.


Also, how could be a Gate useful, if it only mutes the noise when guitar is silent, but when i'm playing the guitar, noise is in the background.

The idea is to not have that noise. am i wrong ? or the gate is another thing ?

 

[Track Rat]

When you're playing, any background noise should be obscured by the sound of the guitar. If you still hear hum then you have MUCH bigger problems.

 

[choldy]

For one thing, ditch the Zoom 505. You're not going to get anything quiet or defined with that thing. Good quality pickups, like the EMG actives, might make a difference.

 

[ecktronic]

Try a DI box. That will get rid of interfierance if thats what you are talking about.

 

[Phyl]

If you are using single coil pickups you could switch them out for one of the noiseless varieties by Fender, Kinman, etc.

I've made the switch to Kinman and am happy.

 

[Farview]

You are trying to get a clean, defined distorted sound? Out of a ZOOM? If a DI doesn't do it, get a pod or something like that. A crap disto box won't sound good even if you have a pristene recording of it.

 

[underp]

well, i talk about the zoom 505, just as an example.

box fx emulators are also an option for me.

But the little interference is always there, and it changes when i touch the guitar, and when i touch the tone controls.

Track Rat
When you're playing, any background noise should be obscured by the sound of the guitar.

well... that's true, but when you pass that signal through and fx box, that background noise is more noticeable.

----------------------------

I appreciate a lot, all the suggestions, i'm going to take a look in my town. I don't live in the US, so is kind of difficult for me to find some of that stuff.

If there's anything that i can do to get rid of that, "in technical means" or "electronicly talking", any other tip would be useful.

 

[zmaag]

From an old retired technician: the kind of noise you describe sounds like 60 cycle or if you're overseas 50 cycle hum. If you notice an appreciable increase when you touch certain parts of your guitar or other equipment connected to your setup this may be your problem. if you don't have original equipment then you should check and make sure that the wiring on one of the plugs hasn't been reversed. Just look at the plugs on each of the cords. If either of them looks like it has been added then you need to get an electrician to fix it. DON'T DO IT YOURSELF. The other problem is similar. But is much less dangerous to fix. And is a very common problem. Usually it is a bad connection inside one of your jacks. Check this yourself. Make sure that all wires are screwed in tight inside all of your jacks. Last but not least, Receptacles that plug goes into can become corroded resulting in a bad contact. If any of your equipment is old keep this in mind. If you find this is the case saturate a small rag with isopropal alcohol, roll the rag into the shape of a cylinder and use it to clean the receptacle. Make sure the unit is unplugged. Good luck. Hope this helps. zmaag

 

[glimmer_doll]

the zoom 505 is pretty much a crap pedal. any pedal you hook up is gonna add some noise...the 505 will is the noisiest i've ever used.

if that's what you're using i'd say that's the first thing to adjust...and by adjust i mean chuck out a window or sell on ebay to someone who doesn't know any better...

 

[punkin]

Once in a while I'll get a little noise from a nearby AM broadcast station. I equipped all my power cords and signal cables with suppression coils. Quick and easy snap-on application and rendered good results.

Thay may or may not be your problem.