POD into OMNI Studio "NOISE"....

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kevzmusic
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Kevzmusic

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Hi Folks,

Got a bit of a connundrum here :-)

I have my guitar POD connected up to the OMNI studio w/Delta 66 (with the POD L & R OUTS going into the pre-amp 1&2 channels on the OMNI)...

The sound quality & tone is really quite good (considering the POD only costs $250 bucks)...so, I ain't complaining about that aspect.....

BUT, when I turn my monitors from the OMNI (say over 1/2 way) I get quite a bit of HUM/BUZZ from the POD.....in addition to the 'normal' speaker hiss at high VOL....

Without the POD plugged in, the OMNI is *VERY* quiet....only a 'slight' hiss, even when the monitors are cranked right up...

I've tried various cables from the POD to OMNI, including the
*Planet Wave* patch cables....but strangely enuff, when I try a better, more expensive lead....the BUZZ gets "worse" not quieter!!!!!!!

It's not too much of a problem....until I want to turn the POD output master output level up past 5-6, or the monitors more than about 1/2 way....

I have my IN & OUT settings on the OMNI software set to both +4dBu.....IF I change the OMNI IN to -10dBV it does get rid of most of the POD buzz, but then the recording signal becomes rather weak, and even with the POD master set at MAX, I can't get a a strong enuff signal in, without turning the OMNI pre-amp settings way up, which creates a distorted input.....not good for recording....

Ideally, I should be able to use the POD with a +4dBu IN, with no BUZZZZZZ :-)

I got a fealing the POD L & R channel outs are not "grounded" properly, etc....but I ain't no electrical expert......

So, got any ideas how I can fix this????

"Cheers"

KEV
 
Just in case you missed one possibility- is your computer monitor on and are you in close proximity to it?

The pod is noisy on certain patches. Takes a bit of mucking around with gains and different patches, but it is very workable. Certainly no more problematic noise-wise than a real guitar amp.
 
id consider going into the line input instead of the mic input.......

also consider the monitor issue Emeric brought up, especially with single coil pickups.....
 
My guess is that Emeric is right. I have the Omni and the POD and no hum problems at all - unless I have my Asat in single coil mode and I'm facing the monitors (CRT's) I run the outputs of the POD into the line in 3 & 4 jacks on the rear of the Omni (lower left). I set the volume for recording in the software (cubase 5.1). If I'm just messing about I still play through cubase I just don't hit record. I set the room volume with the monitor volume knob on the front of the Omni. Then I turn my back to the CRT's and play hum free.
My .02

lou
 
I just finished posting and saw that Gidge snuck one in there.
What he said. :D

lou
 
OK,

I have a 1" LCD PC monitor, and switched on or off, it doesn't seem to have any effect on the POD humm/buzz.....

YES, I did try using the OMNI line IN 3 & 4 from the POD, but the signal was barely strong enuff for recording, even with the POD output level up to max.....although, it did reduce the hum/buzz considerably....

KEV
 
Sorry Kev. I wasn't assuming you were stupid or anything, just covering all the bases. :D You got me stumped. I get absolutely no hum at all when recording. I like the "crunchy" settings myself and you would think those would be hum prone by their nature. I also don't understand why you can't get acceptable levels using line in 3 & 4. Which piece is new to you, the omni or the POD - both?

lou
 
To Sky Blue.....

Just tried recording a track using the OMNI 3&4 INS as you suggested.....instead of using the pre-amp INS.

however, with the guitar vol & POD output level set at MAX...... I could only register a -12db signal in the OMNI H/W In 3/4 VU level....which isn't strong enuff for decent recording. I like to keep it in the -3db range.....

But yes, the Buzz was not noticeable even with the OMNI monitor gain at full.

The only BUZZ was in MY ears :-)

KEV
 
I've been using both for about 6 months......

The OMNI is a good card, very clean audio...the only buzz I get from it is with the POD...my keyboards, synths, etc are very quiet....no probs, plus the CD/Mp3 playback is GREAT.....

When you record your guitars (using the POD) into the OMNI 3&4 INS.....what signal level do you get in the OMNI control panel???

Even with everything at max it barely goes into the yellow -12db range on mine.....

it's a good clean sound tho - and no unwanted noise....but then I have to boost the track VOL level up to + 20db in the software to get a decent VOL level....

KEV
 
Hey Kev,

I went down to my "studio" in an effort to answer your question. First thing to mention is that I don't use the Omni mixer section at all normally. I just set the Patchbay/Router options and forget it. That is to say I set it once...I don't mess with it anymore. I set all the levels in cubase. This time I opened the panel for audio settings so I could watch the Omni meters. Hottest signal I could get was -6. It seems as though I can't get the meter to clip in cubase either - but some kind of clipping was going on 'cause I got some nasty digital blats out of the monitors (Yamaha MSP-5's).

You must have figured out by now that I'm no expert with this stuff, no?

Regardless of what the meter levels say I find the signal plenty hot enough. I rather like the idea that you have to struggle to overdrive it - if in fact you can at all.

My thoughts as a newbie homereccer are that the POD is made to provide a variety of sounds at a fixed digital level that should be adequate. When I record POD tracks i mess with the POD 'till I get the sound I like then I record it. I mix the levels to taste in cubase. I don't believe it is meant to operate like a 57 on a cab where you want to ride the level right to the edge.

Does that make any sense?

lou
 
Yeah, I like to just leave the OMNI control panel alone too :-)

No need to keep on messin' wid it, once things are set up OK...

But, with a max -12db signal.....it's not really a strong enuff recording input....coz then I have to boost it a lot in the software.....which can change the original sound warmth/tone, etc.....

That's why I was always using the pre-amp 1 & 2 INS, so I could adjudt the input strenght to exactly what I wanted....but alas, that way there's the BUZZ at certain vol levels...

I just recorded a lead track using the 3&4 IN at full vol, etc and it was quite weak, I had to boost it almost 20db in the siftware...and it ended up sounding pretty good....

BUT, I shouldn't really need to do that :-(

KEV
 
I'm gonna stop whippin' this horse Kev. Something is up and I don't know enough to be able to help you (sorry:( ). My signals are plenty strong...let's see if anyone else has a hint.

lou
 
My pod seems to put out plenty of gain for a line level input. I would agree they are pretty noisy and in my experience a good amp is usually less noisy.

What kind of guitar are you using? It may just be putting out too low of a signal for the POD to work with. You might also try a different and shorter guitar cable. Are you using any other devices in the chain with the POD?

I would have guessed that POD ran at -10 but I could be mistaken.
 
Well, I use Fender Strats & Les Paul Guitars....

I use a new Planet Wave 15ft cable.....straight into the POD....and the OMNI input/output signal levels are set to pro +4dBu......

My bro in Fla uses the POD too, but recently bought the Digitech Genesis 3 and reckons it's much better.....no NOISE at all - hooked up to his OMNI.....

I think I will check it out myself...

I sometimes use a WAH pedal, but not much - doesn't seem to effect the line signal to the POD.....

I've tried this evening to increase the -12db recording signal in the OMNI 3&4 ins....but now way, unless I hook up via the pre-amp 1&2 ins......

HHHhhmmmm :-(

KEV
 
My POD is totally quiet, with a very powerful signal recording into my MOTU 828.
Make sure you are using BALANCED 1/4" cables out of the POD. The left and right stereo outputs of the POD each will take a BALANCED quarter inch cable out. Also, make sure your Channel volume and Output Level are cranked all the way on the POD to give you the best signal to noise ratio.

From the Line 6 website:
The POD's output jacks are TRS connectors. If you use standard mono cables, you will get -10, unbalanced signal. If you use TRS connectors, you will get +4 balanced signal.
For details on the POD's outputs, see the "left & Right Output" section on page 2*1 of the POD 1.0 Manual or page 2*2 in the POD 2.0 manual.

http://line6.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/l...W55fiZwX3NvcnRfYnk9ZGZsdCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=
 
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