Electrical Grounding & Guitar Buzz
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Posted on May 23, 2005 10:52 am
bbbitter
I'm back bitches!!!
Member Since: May 27, 2004
I am trying to get e few more clients for my recording effort and even may get a chance to make some money at it. However, I am having problems recording distorted guitars. The problem exists somewhere in the electrical system of my house. The BUZZ I am getting is very loud and it is always present whether or not I am recording (including practice sessions). Does anybody know of any low cost solutions that I might try before I consider trying software filters. I want to get rid of this problem at the source but don't want to rewire my house. Thanks for any help.
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May 23, 2005 11:20 am eek!
man i know next to nothing on this subject...try playing barefoot maybe? stick a pole in the ground, run some speaker wire to your third prong on the amps power cable? although that scares me.
sorry bro
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
May 23, 2005 12:12 pm The dreaded 60 cycle hum. If you're using a single-coil guitar like a Strat, most of them come from the factory with inadequate shielding. There are tutorials on the net that will show you how to properly shield a Strat to help reduce the 60 Hz hum.
Also, Radio Shack sells a device that'll show you if the wiring in your house has proper grounding. If it is not grounded properly, then there may be no escape from the dreaded hum until you hire an electrician to come and do it right.
If the hum is only bad when you are not playing (if its drowned out when you start playing), then you may consider a noise gate like the Boss NS-2 noise suppressor.
That's about all I can suggest for starters...
May 23, 2005 12:17 pm yeah also unplug the guitar from the amp, and see if it still hums.
May 23, 2005 12:30 pm when youre in your studio, constantly hum really loud, and when your clients ask you 'what's that hum?' just say 'i just really like to hum and i cannot stop.'
Josh RoseJR ProductionsMember
Since: Mar 03, 2005
May 23, 2005 12:40 pm If it is the 60 Hz hum, just notch it out. For guitars, theres almost nothing around that area. I know adobe audition has a nice little EQ preset that takes care of most buzz and such. If you want I'll get the exact frequencies later when I get home.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 23, 2005 12:46 pm I've not tested this myself, but you could try using a UPS battery backup, like an APC thing. This will give you an isolated circuit.
Also, if you haven't checked this already, turn off all dimmers, and all flourescent lights.
I have heard of houses, though, that even the wiring in the walls would give off hum. what a drag.
Quote:
play barefoot
Man, that's a jem! You won't notice the hum because you'll be twitching around all the time =) =) =)
jmailjimmie neutronMember
Since: Feb 14, 2005
May 23, 2005 02:25 pm You say when recording "distorted" guitars. You don't have the problem with an open mic or DI or keyboard? What's your setup for the "distorted" guitars?