Noise from instruments to Porta 3

[larsh@msi-sys.com]

I have a Porta 3 that I use for arranging. I play guitar, bass and an Alesis DM4 using a Hart MultiPad into the Porta 3. Typically, I use a Korg Pandora's box for effects. I am getting a lot of noise from the guitar and bass, even if I go direct. I do not get the same noise from the drum setup. Can anyone suggest an improvement. Should I be using better cables, or is there a line filter or stomp box type fix?

 

[loudnaybor]

The fact that you don't get noise from your drum machine eliminates at least some of the MANY conditions that can cause noise. Since both instruments have the same problem, it's not likely to be a grounding problem in the instruments themselves, although it's possible. My guess would be that it's your cables.
Are you using the same cable or same type of cable for the guitar and bass? In my 30 years of playing guitar ( Wow, has it been that long ) , I've learned that it doesn't pay to skimp on cables. The cheap cables give you a much lower signal level and have lousy noise rejection.
My advice would be to make sure you don't have any obvious sources of interference in the area like motorized appliances. Then get a good, high quality cable in the shortest length you can comfortably use.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Hey Larsh:

Turn on your units; put on your headphones; then, reach around back and in front and ONE BY ONE jiggle your 1/4 inch connections or whatever connections you have. If you find one that stops humming when you move it, and starts humming when you let go of it, you either have a bad cable or your inner connectors are loose or faulty. Also, as the LoudOne stated: GOOD CABLES DO HELP CREATE A BETTER PRODUCT.

Green Hornet