I just got a new bass... and...

[DanielBK]

So I just got a USED in good condition Squier Contemporary Active Jazz Bass V HH - Satin Black - Sweetwater Exclusive off of guitarcenter.com for recording at home. I was just planning to mainly do simple recordings in Logic and possibly do covers on YouTube.

Here's the basic setup I have to record, before I explain about my complaints about the audio quality I was getting after recording: The bass > 1/4" Hosa instrument cable > plugged into front of a Scarlett 4i4 audio interface preamp > into Logic's digital amp plugin simulator.

When I first plugged it in, I was monitoring through some ATH-M20x headphones to hear the bass tones and effects from the amp simulator. From what I remember, there was no hissing/buzzing sounds until I leaned over to do something on my computer and my elbow pressed gently against the strings and the strings were pressed against the pickups. When I took my elbow off, then I got mild hissing in the headphones. I also noticed the buzzing would stop when I'd touch anything metal on the bass, like the metal instrument plug on the bass or the metal tuners or strings. Since then, there has been a mild hissing and buzzing in my recordings and any time I just plug my bass into the audio interface in general. So I googled what the problem could be and there were some opinions that it could be a grounding issue? Also, the signal volume is sooo quiet when monitoring in logic. I've turned up the bass volume knob, logic amp simulator knob gain and master volume knobs, etc... Still very quiet. I have new batteries in the bass too. tried I'm not sure. When I plug my bass into a real amp, is it normal to have some hiss or buzz? I'm a noob.

Thanks!

 

[DanielBK]

I'm just wondering if I should return it or not because I really don't want my recordings to always be hissing. It was a used bass from guitarcenter.com and I'm not sure if it's defective or not 'cause I'm not that techy of a guy. The bass looks like it could've been a demo for a while because it still has fender's stickers over the pick guard.

 

[DanielBK]

Also, I just noticed when I plugged it into the audio interface again, that the sound of the signal is pretty quiet... Even with the interface gain at 12 o clock. If I crank up the gain any more, it clips. Is that normal? Also, could it be that since the bass has active pre amps built into it, that maybe that's the problem when I plug it into the audio interface preamp? I don't know.

 

[DirkP]

The buzz is very likely a grounding issue, does it change if you have both pickups on full volume? Could be an issue with the bass or the environment (dimmed lights etc.)
Regarding the interface: are you sure you are using the hz (high impedance instrument) input? If not, the interface expects a line level signal, this would explain the low level!

 

[BismarckHerring]

Also, I just noticed when I plugged it into the audio interface again, that the sound of the signal is pretty quiet... Even with the interface gain at 12 o clock. If I crank up the gain any more, it clips.

This suggests that the signal from the bass is strong enough and the volume problem probably occurs somewhere in the computer. This is assuming that the clipping happens in the preamp of the interface - there should be an indicator for that on the audio interface.

The first thing I’d do is to check the signal using the direct monitoring option of the audio interface. This way you’ll get the purest tone from your bass. I think that for the Scarlett you have to do that in the software mixer (I’m sure there are instructions in the manual or somewhere on the web).

Then try logic, but without the amp sim. (With direct monitoring off).

Speaking of the mixer, are the levels there set correctly? Can you boost the level of the output from Logic?

I’m nott sure about the hiss problem. As DirkP says, it may well be a grounding issue. Are the EQ controls on your bass centered? Strongly boosting the highs can sometimes make existing hiss more noticeable.


BTW, this probably not the right forum for this question, you could ask a mod to move it to the correct one (probably Recording equipment, assuming the bass is alright). You’ll probably get more answers there.

 

[beatdatthang]

Have you tried the bass directly into a real bass amp? If you have an amp, try that first to see if you have the same hiss/volume issues. Go through all the controls - volume, balance, bass, treble boost and cut and see what you get. If you get hissing it might just need some extra shielding (shield the pocket and underside of the pickguard with copper shielding tape). If it’s clear and quiet direct through the bass amp then look elsewhere. Do all of this before you return a perfectly good bass just to find it’s your DI setup.

DI stuff is finicky and any modeling, patches, and effects can add noise. You can also add a noise gate to the signal chain if it’s still noisy. Like others have said, a dirty ground (your house’s ground) or fluorescent or variable (especially dimmer controlled) lighting can be picked up and add noise.

 

[Maxi Funkl]

I used to own that bass 5 string different color.. I didn't like the factory preamp swapped it for an Audere classic. But beforehand I didn't notice any grounding issues or volume issues. Never used it to record only straight into an amp. Although I did use a Yamaha AG 3 for lessons using its software without issues also. Maybe get it checked by a reliable Guitar tech in your area could be a simple fix if you like the bass.

 

[Five or Six]

Are pickups and control cavity shielded? (Copper tape, paint) I'd venture to say no. Does noise stop when you touch strings or bridge? It still sounds like ground?

 

[Jefus]

Sorry if these seem obvious, but worth checking:

How do you have controls on the bass set? An active bass will have boost and cut for the bass and treble. So 'flat' is when the controls are in the center and there's usually a detent in the control to tell you where that is. If you have them both turned all the way up (similar to how a lot of people turn their passive controls) you will be adding a lot of bass and treble to the signal. The bass control can easily overwhelm the input on an interface, and the treble control, especially when cranked, can add hiss.

I'm not familiar with your headphones, but it's possible that there is a lot of low end being produced that they are unable to reproduce, especially if you have the bass knob cranked. A bass guitar plugged into a DI won't add much coloration, so it won't have the harmonics that put a bass guitar into the easily-heard frequencies. Try adding a little overdrive to the amp model and see if it helps you hear your bass.

Good luck!

 

[C Stone]

As @Jefus mentioned check the controls on the bass, that particular bass has a boost only control (no cut) and there is only a center detent for the pickup blend
(at least on mine) stacked knob is treble boost/bass boost play around with these
try small increases up to maybe halfway.