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#1
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having a problem getting a good guitar recording..
I can't get a good, clean signal. I've been reading different things here and there, and what it all seems to boil down to is either I mic the amp, or I use some type of direct box setup or with a nice preamp. The only preamp i have are the ones on the digi 002 so I'm kind of trying to work with what I have though with this configuration, I'm noticing alot of HUM. If I turn my guitar or gain knob up to a point where I can actually get a useable waveform, I end up with a bunch of HUM.
The guitar I'm recording with is an American Fender Stratocaster 50th w/single coil pickups. I read somewhere that humbucker pickups seem to get rid of some of the hum and that single coil pickups are prone to this. Would a direct box fix this? I've heard of people using gates to get around that hum as well.. what type of direct boxes or gates/preamps would you guys recommend for recording a fender strat and an electric/acoustic.. the mic's I'm using are a Rode NT-K and a Rode NT-3. |
#2
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Re: having a problem getting a good guitar recording..
A large part of that hum is likely from sitting in front of your computer monitor.
try shutting it off, while you track. Rec enable the track, shut your computer monitor off, and use F12 to start recording, Spacebar to stop, "Ctrl+." (Pre 6.7) or "Esc" (6.4 and below) to discard take. there also have been recent discussions on here about shielding your pickups, and single coil v.s humbucker / hotrail's / noisless etc...
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David - MacStudio M1 - HDX II Sonnet xMacStudio - 16x16 HD i/o x 6 - PT ULTIMATE - SONOMA - ProTools Dock / S1 / Control App |
#3
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Re: having a problem getting a good guitar recording..
you could probably use the free digi gate. I have a Shure SM57 that works well on electric guitar amps. I like how AKG 414's sound, if you have the money for one. The 414's also work well on acoustic guitars.
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Jon Lesher Mixing Engineer Editor jonlesher.com thedrumeditor.com Studio pre-production guide Drum recording guide |
#4
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Re: having a problem getting a good guitar recording..
Quote:
thanks, Ruben |
#5
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Re: having a problem getting a good guitar recording..
I also have a Strat and get the same humming issues. I find that simply moving myself around the room and pointing the neck in different directions can help significantly. Experiment in your room and then try to record from the 'quietest' location and orientation of the guitar. It probably won't go away altogether, but I find it can help a great deal.
Also, I have a light in the hallway next to my second bedroom/studio that operates on a dimmer switch. That thing causes a lot of interference. Check to see if you have any dimmer-type controllers for your lights and turn them all the way off when recording. |
#6
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Re: having a problem getting a good guitar recording..
1. With your amp turned up, hold your guitar up to any lights and see if the hum gets louder. If it does, turn the lights off.
2. Borrow two guitars (one single coil and one humbucker) and see if the problem still exists. 3. Check if your electrical outlet is grounded. 4. What kind of amp are you using? How long has it been since you've had it serviced? In my experience, Fender Blues DeVilles and Reverb Twins are very prone to hum.
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002R PT7.3.1 MacBook Pro 2.33 OS 10.4.8 |
#7
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Re: having a problem getting a good guitar recording..
Quote:
I can't speak for all LCD's ... so ..Shut your LCD's off, with your guitar "Live" and see if it makes a difference.
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David - MacStudio M1 - HDX II Sonnet xMacStudio - 16x16 HD i/o x 6 - PT ULTIMATE - SONOMA - ProTools Dock / S1 / Control App |
#8
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Re: having a problem getting a good guitar recording..
Most LCD monitors will not induce hum, but CRT's will big time. In my room(with LCD's), if I turn so the guitar faces to either side wall, the hum is almost completely gone. I also tend to use a volume pedal so I can keep it down till I actually start playing. If you end up with hum on the track where you stop playing for a moment, you can cut out the section right up to the start of the next part and put a fadeout on the previous part. If you do this, consolidate your tracks afterwards.
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HP Z4 workstation, Mbox Studio https://www.facebook.com/search/top/...0sound%20works The better I drink, the more I mix BTW, my name is Dave, but most people call me.........................Dave |
#9
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Re: having a problem getting a good guitar recording..
these are all excellent suggestions.. i'm going to try recording with lights off and monitor off to see how much that helps - it sounds like it will help quite a bit
i'm recording with a fender convert reverb and i also have this little 15watt marshall amp that i use now and then. |
#10
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Re: having a problem getting a good guitar recordi
If none of the other suggestions presented here help, you might want to swap out your instrument cable. If the shielding is broken, most likely caused by wrapping the cable around your hand and elbow which causes the wires inside to twist, that cable could pick up all sorts of interference.
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