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DI noise with passive basses

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by chaurett, Jun 19, 2020.

  1. Jun 19, 2020 #1
    chaurett

    chaurett Supporting Member

    Sep 18, 2002
    Storrs Mansfield
    I’m getting a horrible buss through my passive di box with all of my passive basses. Active basses are dead quiet and my basses with active/passive switching are quiet in active mode and buzzing in in passive mode.

    Is this a ground loop issue? When I lift the ground it does not fix the problem. Maybe the ground lift is not working???

    Any advice before I order a new di? The one I’m using is a nice Jensen box so I’m hoping to save it.
     
  2. Jun 19, 2020 #2
    byacey

    byacey

    May 16, 2008
    St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
    Does the level of buzz change at all with the ground lift switch?
     
  3. Jun 19, 2020 #3
    chaurett

    chaurett Supporting Member

    Sep 18, 2002
    Storrs Mansfield
    Nope. No change. It does seem to get louder as I turn the volume knob in the bass down (????)
     
  4. Jun 19, 2020 #4
    byacey

    byacey

    May 16, 2008
    St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
    Most likely the noise is being picked up by the bass passive pickups. Try a different 1/4 inch patch cable; passive pickups present a higher impedance than active and are more sensitive to noise and require more gain to achieve the same volume level.
    Probably not a concern in this instance, but ensure the shell on your xlr cable isn't connected to the pin 1 shield.
     
  5. Jun 19, 2020 #5
    chaurett

    chaurett Supporting Member

    Sep 18, 2002
    Storrs Mansfield
    Ok. I’ll try some different things. The thing that had me concerned was that, on the same bass active mode was dead quiet but passive mode sounds like buzz saw in the background. Seems weird.
     
  6. Jun 19, 2020 #6
    Geri O

    Geri O Endorsing Artist, Mike Lull Guitars and Basses Gold Supporting Member

    Sep 6, 2013
    Florence, MS
    There is a variable here that’s pointing to another problem besides the DI. That would be the two modes of operation you are using.

    The DI is the constant.
     
  7. Jun 19, 2020 #7
    chaurett

    chaurett Supporting Member

    Sep 18, 2002
    Storrs Mansfield
    Good point :). The reason I was thinking DI is it happens with all my basses and I only hear the noise through the DI. If I plug into my amp, no problems.
     
  8. Jun 19, 2020 #8
    Geri O

    Geri O Endorsing Artist, Mike Lull Guitars and Basses Gold Supporting Member

    Sep 6, 2013
    Florence, MS
    Ooh, good point. I missed that in the conversation somehow. Yet another variable. Good luck!
     
  9. Dec 5, 2022 #9
    gafbass02

    gafbass02

    Nov 9, 2005
    cheltenham uk
    Any luck with this? I’m having the same issue