Recording active bass

bassist15 · #1 06-27-2008, 06:37 PM

I have a Palatino Electric Upright and it has an active pickup...I recorded it direct into my Fostex MR16 and I get a buzz type sound on the recording. Is there anything I can do. I looked at some other threads and Im didnt understand...something about an interface......I have a small bass workstation pedal I was wondering If I ran it through that clean if it would help.

kirkm24 · #2 06-27-2008, 06:51 PM

If your using a direct box, try switching the ground lift switch. If that doesn't work, then try replacing the battery in the bass and then changing cables.

bassist15 · #3 06-27-2008, 06:54 PM

Im not using a DI im just plugging straight from the bass into the recorder. Should I use the workstation as a DI?

bassist15 · #4 06-28-2008, 01:59 PM

PLease help me!

fretlessrock · #5 06-28-2008, 02:24 PM

Is it distortion (buzzing on peaks), or a buzzing background noise (never stops buzzing)?

Are you sending the signal to an instrument input, or a mic input, or does the input have a switch (line/mic, hi/lo, ...)?

Does the input have a gain control or trim control? Have you tried it? Does the bass have a volume control? Have you tried it?

Also, if you have something as easy to try as a stompbox, and you haven't tried it, why haven't you tried it?

Your problem could be grounding, it could be that the output of the bass is too hot, or it could be a problem with either the bass, the cable, or the recorder. The reason that the answers you are getting aren't informative enough is that you are asking someone to troubleshoot a system that you have sitting right in front of you based on one case, no audio sample, and the least amount of information possible.