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Buzzing through the PA

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by NZBassman, Jul 16, 2013.

  1. Jul 16, 2013 #1
    NZBassman

    NZBassman

    Jan 25, 2007
    Auckland, New Zealand
    I used to have a Warwick Profet 5.1, Warwick 4x10 and Ibanez TR Expressionist 4 string bass

    I've been having problems with 'buzzing' through the PA - I plug bass into amp - DI amp to the desk and it buzzes... sometimes very loud, sometimes not. Ground lift on the amp does nothing

    Anyway had a few problems with the amp (not grunty enough!) and bought an Ashdown EVO 900 III, but I am still getting the same problems when I DI to the PA

    I've replaced my lead, had the bass looked at twice (both times told there is nothing wrong with it) and we've tried different channels on the mixing desk, but still get a buzzing sound!!

    I use a DI box (cheap one admittidly) and that is pretty useless.

    Anyone got any suggestions what else I could try??
     
  2. Jul 16, 2013 #2
    Floyd Eye

    Floyd Eye Inactive

    Feb 21, 2010
    St. Louis
    Different DI box. IF your bass is fine and you've changed rigs...............
     
  3. Jul 16, 2013 #3
    Zooberwerx

    Zooberwerx Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2002
    Virginia Beach, VA
    ^^^ Yep, I'd go like this for starters: bass > known good DI > known XLR cable > mixer mic channel XLR input. Adjust trim until mic channel is saturated. Is the buzz present? We'll go from there. BTW, "known" = verified to be in proper working condition.

    Edit: if possible remove all other external devices (mics, processors, etc.) for the experiment as these may also be suspect. Heck, I've even had a guitarist's amp, once powered up, introduce all sorts of noise into the PA and other backline gear.

    Riis
     
  4. Jul 16, 2013 #4
    chienmort

    chienmort

    Aug 15, 2012
    You say buzz not hum so I would try shielding your bass first and then a DI with a transformer. The second option is not cheap if you do it properly. You need a good quality transformer from say Jensen or Sowter ( other good transformers are available). The cost of a good Sowter or Jensen transformer is $80US plus and that is why you don't find them in standard amps.

    If you try to shield you bass, use copper tape not sheet as it is too difficult to mould the sheet material around pickup cavities.
     
  5. Jul 16, 2013 #5
    two fingers

    two fingers Opinionated blowhard. But not mad about it. Inactive

    Feb 7, 2005
    Eastern NC USA
    Talk to me about the house or building where you are recording.

    Other than that, chienmort has it under control.
     
  6. Jul 16, 2013 #6
    davidjackson

    davidjackson

    Sep 10, 2011
    UK
    Sorry if this is a really dumb question but if you are using an Ashdown amp why are you using a DI box between that and the PA? Why not just run straight in to the desk?
     
  7. Jul 16, 2013 #7
    Zooberwerx

    Zooberwerx Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2002
    Virginia Beach, VA
    I blew right through that in the original post...

    To the OP: exactly how are you cabling / configuring the Profet connection to the mixer?

    Riis