unwanted guitar buzzing/distortion

[bardogodspeed]

Chibbi, you are the man! Thanks for all your advice for this newbie. If I ever become a home recording whiz, I'll do my part by trying to help out others just getting started.

I'm going to record tonight at -22, and I'll let you know how it goes. Oh, and normally I'm not using monitor speakers - just headphones (so as not to irritate my family . But I have tested with monitor speakers and the problem was still there. Maybe I'll start testing with speakers all the time, but what would be the disadvantage of using just using decent headphones?

 

[Chibi Nappa]

-22 is a bit extreme (but probably wouldn't hurt anything). Just keep the body near -18.

Maybe I'll start testing with speakers all the time, but what would be the disadvantage of using just using decent headphones?

Read some articles on equal loudness curves. In a nutshell, the ridges on our ears amplify some frequencies and attenuate others. The sound coming from headphones bypasses the ear ridges for the most part. So if you mix on headphones, you will make some frequencies unnaturally soft or loud to compensate.

That, and you would be unaware of phase relationships between the two ears. If you were micing in stereo or using time-based effects (delay etc), that could lead to trouble.

 

[jabairdj]

Phantom Power?

This might sound like another stupid question, but could the Phantom Power have been inadvertently turned on? I just saw this device on Amazon for the first time, and noticed the Phantom Power button on the back. Not sure if this could cause such an issue with this particular device and your guitar, but I do know that it can cause issues with some. Just grasping at straws!

One other thing, what about the 9 Volt battery? Are you using one, or are you using a converter? I have read about some Zoom recorders having a clicking noise when run off battery, and the noise was gone when running off a converter. Maybe that's already been discussed, and I missed it. Sorry, if so.

 

[bardogodspeed]

@jabairdj: Phantom power off, and not using a 9v battery. I actually switched to the battery last week to see if that would help, but not so.

@Chibby: I recorded a new sample tonight. I don't know what you mean by -18, because the interface's input dial goes from 0db to 48db. I set it at 0db (which I guess means no gain/boost), and the problem was still there. I have attached the file. Again, the problem is only occuring on the low strings.

Also, I mentioned this once before, but if it were the interface, why is it then when I plug my headphones into the monitor jack in the back, and monitor my output that way, does it sound fine? It sounds great. So something is going wrong between leaving the preamp and getting to the computer???

 

[gregsk777]

It seems like you are probably very frustrated at this point. I am surprised you haven't smashed it yet

You mentioned that you can still return it, right? I would just do that and save yourself the grief. Replace it with a new unit or try some other brand because I think we have covered all the bases and the problem is still there

It sounds like the only thing working is the monitor jack. Maybe just run a stereo cable out and into your computer. Kind of mainly defeats the purpose of the unit but if it gets you a good clean level into your computer it maybe an option?

 

[bardogodspeed]

can you hear what I am talking about, or am I completely nuts?

 

[moresound]

IDK man it sounds like to me that it's just fret buzz but I'm only listening on computer speakers. Is the neck of your strat good do you need fret work or is the neck bowed at all?

 

[bardogodspeed]

when I monitor the audio by plugging my headphones directly into the back of the usb interface, it sounds fine. Also plugging in directly to my soundcard sounds fine. so that can't be it.

 

[moresound]

OK you have me stumped on this one so far. So only on the play back you hear it right?

 

[bardogodspeed]

playback and also live monitoring through computer monitor speakers or headphones.

 

[moresound]

can you hear what I am talking about, or am I completely nuts?

I'm going to go with ...... your nuts !
No you do have me completely stumped on this one I'll give it some more consideration and let you know.

 

[gregsk777]

Your second clip sounded normal. Maybe just some light fret buzzing. The first clip on the other hand sounded crappy like a broken amp or a really bad tube. But since your amp sounds fine to your ears, I'm kind of stumped too at this point?

Just get it replaced...

 

[Chibi Nappa]

Your second clip has no distortion at all. The sharp pop is definitely fret buzz. If you are hearing distortion on that second clip, you must be running into some problem with your soundcard's output.

Do you hear distortion on that clip if you take it elsewhere and listen with headphones?

 

[bardogodspeed]

It is not fret buzz as I don't hear it through my amp or through monitoring via the usb interface. Only on playback/monitoring during or after recording.

Listen again. Turn it up, way up (it's quiet because you guys told me to record very low). As soon as the low note sounds, it's fine, but right after as the note plays and begins to die out, you will hear a definite buzzing sound. You have to hear it, it's clear as day to me! Try it.

 

[Chibi Nappa]

It is not fret buzz as I don't hear it through my amp or through monitoring via the usb interface. Only on playback/monitoring during or after recording.

Listen again. Turn it up, way up (it's quiet because you guys told me to record very low). As soon as the low note sounds, it's fine, but right after as the note plays and begins to die out, you will hear a definite buzzing sound. You have to hear it, it's clear as day to me! Try it.

Ah. Gotcha. Sounds more like noise than clipping or distortion. You just have noisy hardware.

Honestly, with your recording levels set as they were in the second clip, it's really shouldn't be a problem in a full production. If it really is bugging you, then it might be time to buy a new interface.

 

[moresound]

Nope still sounds like fret buzz to me. I'll try again later with fresh ears but I don't think it will be any different.

 

[bardogodspeed]

yeah maybe you're right. by turning levels down I can only really hear it when I strain. but it still bugs me. I am insane.

 

[moresound]

yeah maybe you're right. by turning levels down I can only really hear it when I strain. but it still bugs me. I am insane.

Your words not mine ..
I know how little things like this can bug the total **** out of ya when your going for perfection.

 

[moresound]

Have your neck and frets checked out.

 

[bardogodspeed]

Hey moresound, thanks for all your replies. Can't I be assured that it is NOT in fact fret buzz, because I don't hear it when monitoring through the USB interface (headphone jack on back of unit). I also don't hear it playing guitar unplugged, or through the amp. I *only* hear it when recording/playing through computer.

"Noisy hardware" seemed to be accurate. Although I don't really know what that means or how to fix it.