Cleaning up the noise in this Guitar track?

[Tro]

I don't feel like down loading the track, but I do want to be helpful so....

Have you tried using a (DI)/direct box. This is pretty much a "MUST".
Or if your guitar requires a 9-volt, it may need to be replaced.
Also, if possible, try re-recording the track at night and cut the power to any unnecessary electronic devices, not only in the same room, but throughout the whole house/structure that your studio's grounded in as well.
And if you're using any guitar/FX pedals, use 9-volt batteries instead of an AC adapter.
And finally, if possible, don't plug straight into your card but instead plug into a guitar amp and mic it. Rules are made to be broken, however this is supposed to be the correct way to handle business. you might need to f$#k with the mic. placement but take some time and see what options you have. It's not a race, it's a gift

Good luck to you &
. Keep climin'

- ~TRO~

[fanir]

You need 2 things:
- A proper D.I. box or an instrument input on your soundcard (mic ins are NOT suitable for guitar signals).
- A proper line driver - or an instrument input on your soundcard.

If you don't have either of them, don't try to bother getting a halfway decent sound anymore.

A good and cheap solution will be M-Audio's Audiobuddy which works mighty fine for bringing guitar signals to line level.

Oh damn, I don't have any of those. I've only got a Zoom GFX which I see acts as a preamp and an AC97 or something soundcard. I know it's crap but as I'm starting out, I can't afford any atm. I would certainly try and save up for some cheap ones. Money is really a tight thing for me.

1. So what do you recommend for a cheap DI Box? I live in Singapore btw.
Edit What does the DI Box do anyway?

2. A proper line in driver? You mean a better Soundcard?

[fanir]

Atm, I'm looking at this - http://www.luthermusic.com/cgi-bin/WB_I ... id=2100800

My budget is $100. Thats minimum, max is $200.

[DotNoir]

I have one of these at home. http://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_di100_ultra_di.htm

It's a good enough DI box.

[Amberience]

I have the Ultra DI also - pretty good I reckon, and I'm getting great guitar signals now.

[fanir]

Okay guys, I need to check back on this.

Basically, I'm just looking to build a budget studio at home suitable for a normal rock band to record. I've got the drums sorted out with triggers and stuff but it's the instrument wise I think I'll need to invest.

So, for guitar/bass, what should I have/expect for a good home recording hardware wise? Software wise I think I'm sorted with Sonar 3/Fruity Loops.

I think I'll get that Behringer DI Box, is it good for bass too?

Do I need to invest in a new soundcard? Which first?

[DotNoir]

Yeah, it's good for bass as well. I use it for both.

[fanir]

Okay, I think that's a confirm purchase for me. Thanks guys.

[Amberience]

Yes, good for bass too!

[Hink]

I have to disagree here just a little, yes a di is a good thing to have but is it the ultimate answer for this problem? There are just too many options that include a di as part of the scheme, I think it matters how much he's willing to spend.

For instance let's say he gets a di and a freeware amp sim. Tru that might solve this particular problem, but it might create other problems. A di into an average soundcard is going to bring up the issue of latency next and he'll be right back to frustration. Some of the free amp sims will be a nice start but they might leave little room to expand past that. What I see is a pattern of chasing issues and that's never good.

IMHO what he needs is a decent di, a decent soundcard and decent amp simulation. Where he states that is budget is 100-200 bux why go buy a 35 dollar di? With a 130 dollar investment give or take he could step up to a Line 6 toneport that has remarkably low latency, decent amp sims and is a better soundcard/interface...just my two cents, but I don't see a cheap di as being a miracle cure at all...

[fanir]

I have to disagree here just a little, yes a di is a good thing to have but is it the ultimate answer for this problem? There are just too many options that include a di as part of the scheme, I think it matters how much he's willing to spend.

For instance let's say he gets a di and a freeware amp sim. Tru that might solve this particular problem, but it might create other problems. A di into an average soundcard is going to bring up the issue of latency next and he'll be right back to frustration. Some of the free amp sims will be a nice start but they might leave little room to expand past that. What I see is a pattern of chasing issues and that's never good.

IMHO what he needs is a decent di, a decent soundcard and decent amp simulation. Where he states that is budget is 100-200 bux why go buy a 35 dollar di? With a 130 dollar investment give or take he could step up to a Line 6 toneport that has remarkably low latency, decent amp sims and is a better soundcard/interface...just my two cents, but I don't see a cheap di as being a miracle cure at all...

About the latency stuff, won't the free ASIO drivers fix that? I really appreciate your view there, I'll rethink about getting the DI Box, as I was hasty before and considering it's a cheap way, why not. Is the Line 6 toneport Vst compatible?

Anyway, thanks for the advice mate.

[Hink]

I have to disagree here just a little, yes a di is a good thing to have but is it the ultimate answer for this problem? There are just too many options that include a di as part of the scheme, I think it matters how much he's willing to spend.

For instance let's say he gets a di and a freeware amp sim. Tru that might solve this particular problem, but it might create other problems. A di into an average soundcard is going to bring up the issue of latency next and he'll be right back to frustration. Some of the free amp sims will be a nice start but they might leave little room to expand past that. What I see is a pattern of chasing issues and that's never good.

IMHO what he needs is a decent di, a decent soundcard and decent amp simulation. Where he states that is budget is 100-200 bux why go buy a 35 dollar di? With a 130 dollar investment give or take he could step up to a Line 6 toneport that has remarkably low latency, decent amp sims and is a better soundcard/interface...just my two cents, but I don't see a cheap di as being a miracle cure at all...

About the latency stuff, won't the free ASIO drivers fix that? I really appreciate your view there, I'll rethink about getting the DI Box, as I was hasty before and considering it's a cheap way, why not. Is the Line 6 toneport Vst compatible?

Anyway, thanks for the advice mate.

ASIO will improve the latency but not much fixes it, but a lot of that is dependant on the player and how much latency bothers them. TBH the toneport isn't flawless either and I don't use it, I'm merely basing my opinion on what I have picked up from people who use toneport 'round here and the like. I myself really do not care for having my pc processing my tone, nor can I tolerate much latency so I go with hardware. The toneport is now vst compatible but by adding "Gearbox" which is a 200 dollar addition. However without gearbox it's recognized as hardware that uses software, so it appears as input choices like a sound card. I would highly suggest if possible going to a music store where you can demo all your choices, I think when you're selecting your tone you should exhaust all the options so you can decide what is best for you at this time.

[Amberience]

Hardware isn't a choice for some people, whether its price or space, sometimes you can't have a sexy stack of nice sounding gear. So software is the next best thing.

A DI will be a good addition, I didn't think it would be that useful to me, so I never got one for years, and I got the behringer, and I can't believe I never had one before.

but I also have a really good soundcard that gets me a low latency. I'd get one of those in your position too. Something PCI based I reckon.

[Hink]

Hardware isn't a choice for some people, whether its price or space, sometimes you can't have a sexy stack of nice sounding gear. So software is the next best thing.

yes and I said he should get what best for him...no where did I say hardware is the best way. Plus toneport uses software

A DI will be a good addition, I didn't think it would be that useful to me, so I never got one for years, and I got the behringer, and I can't believe I never had one before.

well if you ask me toneport is a good di for guitar, bass and even vocals with a pc

but I also have a really good soundcard that gets me a low latency. I'd get one of those in your position too. Something PCI based I reckon.

true, and again the latency with tone port is remarkably low....so it seems you just varified my point because toneport isn't too much bigger than that di, it's cheaper than a soundcard with very low latency and you get very good software...can you do that with just a di?

[Sascha Franck]

Teh Guitar- or Toneport will probably help a lot, but if you want an alround fine solution for your recording needs I'd recommend getting the following:

- A dedicated soundcard with proper drivers offering true low latency performance - the AC97 or Realtek chips will *never* perform as great. Please believe me, I tried them both with ASIO4All.
A nice budget model would be an M-Audio Audiophile 2496. During the last year the price dropped significantly (below 100 bucks). Their drivers are very nice and you could update to another preamp later on as the thing has digital ins/outs.

- Some sort of preamp with a dedicated instrument (sometimes also called "hi-z" or "high impendance") input.
As said before, M-Audios Audiobuddy (hell no, I don't work for them!) is doing a fine job. It's got instrument and mic inputs, it's small and convenient - and again, it comes for less than 100 bucks.

Both of those together would be well within your budget and you could probably even get them 2nd hand off eBay or so.
No need for a DI box anymore either (the Audiobuddy serves as that).
Btw, with a DI box only, added to your current setup, you'd still need a line driver (really, you *don't* want to use the mic in of that AC97 or Realtek onboard crap).