Dear Toneport UX1/2 users, please help me!

[fanir]

I'm facing a noise problem again but this time it's not so bad. It happens when I use high gain amps or record bass at high volume, it's that zzzzzzzzzzzz, sorta bee sound.

Also, when I record bass parts, the bass is too soft, any idea why?

Thanks.

[Lunch Money]

It's not uncommon for any amp, even a real one, to buzz under high gain. There are many potential sources of noise in your environment, and even in your guitar's circuitry. In my case, my apartment is so badly infested with EMI (electromagnetic interference) that it makes playing with high gain absolutely impossible. I'm realizing that the only cure will be to turn off all electronics and have active pickups like EMG's or somesuch.

As for the bass, I've noticed the same thing-- the bass amp models don't pack a lot of punch. Make sure the volume is cranked. You can always amplify further in your DAW as needed. Since bass often benefits from compression anyhow, I find that using one of the compressors (either in the 'stomp' section or the always-available comp) is very helpful as well.

Greg

[fanir]

It's not uncommon for any amp, even a real one, to buzz under high gain. There are many potential sources of noise in your environment, and even in your guitar's circuitry. In my case, my apartment is so badly infested with EMI (electromagnetic interference) that it makes playing with high gain absolutely impossible. I'm realizing that the only cure will be to turn off all electronics and have active pickups like EMG's or somesuch.

As for the bass, I've noticed the same thing-- the bass amp models don't pack a lot of punch. Make sure the volume is cranked. You can always amplify further in your DAW as needed. Since bass often benefits from compression anyhow, I find that using one of the compressors (either in the 'stomp' section or the always-available comp) is very helpful as well.

Greg

Oh dear, that means I'll have to turn off my air-con, modem, router or even my PC?

Anyway, thanks, I thought it was a major issue.

[Amberience]

Use a gate on the output. The effects of this being that when the guitar is not being played, you wont hear the noise, it will be below the threshold.

So that when you play, you do in fact notice the noise a lot less than without the gate. Its weird I know, but... psychoacoustics and all that.

[Dominus]

Turn up the noisegate, and if you've got a CRT (tube) monitor, turn that off.

[Lunch Money]

Also, use the TonePort's hum reducer algorithm. There IS a trade-off in that you lose a few high frequencies, but for my environment it's a worthwhile trade-off, especially when using plenty of distortion. For clean passages, I tend to turn off the hum reducer.

[chrishurley]

CRT monitors seem to be the worst for me. Sometimes, I can turn a certain way and minimize the noise.

Some PC's may have noisy power supplies which has a nasty way of getting into audio sometimes.

Laptop AC adapters always seem to be bad in this regard. Fortunately for laptop users, you can run on batteries and avoid this.

I find if I hook any PC up to any reak amp using any connecting gear at all, it makes all kinds of noises. Doesn't seem to matter how I go about it. Maybe if the amp were battery powered I'd have better luck.

[Lunch Money]

Yup, CRT are the worst. When I ONLY had CRT, I would still turn them off and record "blind." As long as you can HEAR the music, you're still in good shape. It's nice to be dual-LCD now, though.

It occurred to me just now as I responded to this thread...

- Fluorescent lighting is a source of EMI
- Energy-efficient bulbs are just mini-fluorescents
- Ergo, they may be generating unwanted noise.

Can anyone confirm if energy-efficient bulbs generate EMI the same way as traditional fluorescents?

[chrishurley]

Oh yeah... dimmers. :) These often cause all kinds of noise in the AC lines. If you've got dimmers on your lights, turn them fully on or off.

[fanir]

Guys, thanks a lot and now finally I get to remove the noise [well almost], I have an Hp Pavilion mx75 CRT Monitor, it was the one causing all the buzz. Thanks again guys!

[fanir]

Guys, I'm having a bit of a problem.

I've downloaded a demo of Guitar Rig 2 to get more wide range sounds and experimenting sounds. I got it connected through Toneport's ASIO, the problem is that, after 10mins of smooth playing with GR2, it stutters with clicks/pops, when I strum, there's nothing except pops and stuff.

Any ideas?

[Amberience]

Can anyone confirm if energy-efficient bulbs generate EMI the same way as traditional fluorescents?

We have one in our bedroom. I haven't noticed any extra noise at night when I'm recording.

[Hink]

Guys, I'm having a bit of a problem.

I've downloaded a demo of Guitar Rig 2 to get more wide range sounds and experimenting sounds. I got it connected through Toneport's ASIO, the problem is that, after 10mins of smooth playing with GR2, it stutters with clicks/pops, when I strum, there's nothing except pops and stuff.

Any ideas?

I know longer have the link but someone else will...optimize your system for audio...I once had a similar problem and found out my protection/firewall software was connecting to the net and it would stop my hosts in their tracks...it sounds like your cpu is going somewhere else for a bit...

[Lunch Money]

I'm with that one. I don't know where it's going, but it's going somewhere. Also possible is that somewhere along the way you have another plug-in that's causing "denormals." Is your CPU a Pentium 4 by chance?

[fanir]

Yes, mine is a Pentium 4 1.6 Ghz processor. About optimising my PC for audio, I've searched around and found this fantastic site, www.musicxp.net, now mine is tweaked fully but still encounter the same problem.