High Pitch Chirping Noise

WCunha · #1 01-12-2011, 09:22 AM

I believe I am getting microphonic feedback through my pickups. No matter what amp or preamp I plug into I get a high pitch chirping noise. I've plugged in both my basses and a guitar into everything even my home stereo receiver and I get the same noise.

The basses have EMG pickups and the guitar has passive pickups. The volume of the noise is different in all three instruments.

Is there something in my house generating this noise? I also made sure my cell phone wasn't by me when testing as well. If anyone has any insight it would be helpful.

Thanks

SGD Lutherie · #2 01-12-2011, 09:46 AM

It could be something in your house.

I was rehearing with some guys in the drummer's basement, which also had a full ProTools setup. The guitarist was using a Strat with single coils, and was getting this awful whining-chirping noise. Even my humbuckers were picking it up.

It turns out the drummer had one of those "invisible" fences for his dogs. That was creating the noise!

I get similar noises from my Roland digital mixer if I get too close to it.

WCunha · #3 01-12-2011, 01:01 PM

I put in a invisible dog fence last year. I can't imagine that the signal is that strong. Is there a way to filter it out? Thanks for the response I never would have thought of that.

Wade

SGD Lutherie · #4 01-12-2011, 01:30 PM

Try turning it off and see if it stops.

I was surprised as well, since we were in a basement and quite far from the yard.

I bet that's it.

WCunha · #5 01-12-2011, 02:00 PM

I'll give it a shot. I'm on the second floor of a two story house. I'll check tonight and post an update.

Skitch it! · #6 01-12-2011, 02:04 PM

Do you live near a Radio Ham, those fellas affect the T.V and pretty much everything if they are in close proximity, like the Spinal Tap guitarist syndrome ; )

slawie · #7 01-12-2011, 02:16 PM

Wade,

Pass the pickup leads through a ferrite bead. Try to loop them through twice ideally
although once should be enough for noise interference reduction.
You can pick them up fairly cheaply at electronics shops. One for each pickup.

slawie

WCunha · #8 01-12-2011, 05:06 PM

SGD I can't believe it but you're right. I unplugged my dog fence and the chirping went away.

Thanks a lot! It has been driving me nuts! Now I have to figure out a way to filter it.

Vakmere · #9 01-15-2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WCunha

SGD I can't believe it but you're right. I unplugged my dog fence and the chirping went away.

Thanks a lot! It has been driving me nuts! Now I have to figure out a way to filter it.

Go figure. Good 1. Put the dog on a leash during rehearsals.

M.R. Ogle · #10 01-15-2011, 12:58 PM

Amazing call on that one!!!

Clark Dark · #11 01-15-2011, 02:53 PM

I am an amateur radio operator aka "ham" and so you know plasma tv's also create RFI too.

TimWilson · #12 01-15-2011, 03:03 PM

That really was an amazing call. If nothing else ever has, that one save justified the whole existence of TB... Good on ya, David. Have a beer.

NG51 · #13 01-18-2012, 05:59 PM

Can't believe it! Had a chirping noise just as described above-I was going crazy trying to figure it out-changed basses,cables, amps-nothing! Then I realized I was wearing my chest belt for my heart monitor(had just finished exercising)-duh! Right now, I feel a little like Homer Simpson-thanks, guys, for getting me to look for off-the wall solutions for my problem!

DGEL305 · #14 01-15-2013, 04:10 AM

Thanks for posting this. I had a similar noise and could not figure out what was causing it. I found your post and realised that was the source. I too had my heart monitor on while strumming. This is a great site.

Shippy · #15 01-15-2013, 12:32 PM

When traveling on business I sometimes haul the bass with me to practice on and use a headphone amp and AT headphones.

My laptop was on and I heard the hard drive activity through the pickups on my Squier Jazz... very distinct.