How do you record in front of a computer without hearing a hum?

[Damani311]

From the computer itself and the monitors. Even five feet away I still pick up an electronic whirr, how the hell are you supposed to record with a computer when it causes so much interference of it's own?

[Hapa]

Is your bass grounded properly and shielded inside the cavity? Or is your house actually grounded? a plug tester from the hardware store can tell you. are you sure its in the recording not noise from the monitors being plugged into the same outlet as the computer, also if grounding is an issue the monitors could be wonky as well.
could also be your cable.

[seamonkey]

Get some long cables and put the CPU in the closet.

But it sounds like you don't have your levels right.
Get that signal to noise level up.
Crank it up on going into the soundcard. Crank it up on output levels and turn down the external amp on the speakers.

[fenderhutz]

You using a flat panel or older than coal CRT? Do you have a lamp nearby with a flourescent bulb?

These make a huge difference and add a ton of noise.

[Damani311]

I'm using a rather new monitor, flatscreen LCD

I've had this hum forever, it doesnt really blow the recordings out of the water but it's noticible to me

It seems like it's coming from the actual computer, like the whirring of the hard drive

Would be easy to get away from the comp but then can't do things like monitor the levels and press record/stop

[Damani311]

definitely the computer causing it I think, the actual CPU

turning off the monitors and lights did nothing

the volume on the bass is off

moving the Firebox furthur from the computer does nothing though...........HMMNMMMM

[Damani311]

but there is definitely some interference coming from the wireless mouse! and I bet having a cell phone close isn't helping either....so confusing

I have found the main source now though, it's the computer's signal to the monitor, not the monitor itself. I put the CPU in sleep, and all noise stopped (as well as the DI)

Fired it back up, no noise at all until literally half a second before the monitor flares to life, and WHIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by Damani311

but there is definitely some interference coming from the wireless mouse! and I bet having a cell phone close isn't helping either....so confusing

Confusing? Dude - you're figuring it out all by yoself! Sounds like you're on top of it.

In short:

Computers put out RF - no way around it. The newer the system, the less RF they put out. HUGE difference with newer monitors - CRTs are noisy as sin.

Best to put the chassis as far away as possible (not always practical, I know). Wireless devices like Mice / keys can be problems too.

[seamonkey]

Levels are wrong. You're not driving over the noise level.

[Hapa]

Make a small recording and play it on another circuit and see if the noise is still present. like in a car If the noise is there the noise is being recorded, if not it could just be your monitors being affected. noise still present with headphones?

+1 to seamonkey check your levels too.

Got to stress the grounding issue, even if its three prong that doesn't mean its actually grounded.

[slaphappychappy]

Are u using mac or pc? I use mac and have never had this problem. It has a wireless mouse too.

[EricssonB]

What instrument are you using? Single coils vs humbuckers?

Not that I'm saying that it's the (only) issue, but just presenting it as possibility.

[EricssonB]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

HUGE difference with newer monitors - CRTs are noisy as sin.

...the good old days of home PC recording...