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I keep getting this high pitched noise behind my bass track

Ok, I'm being very cheap here, because I'm just trying to make my youtube videos sound better. I bought a 1/4 to 1/8 converter to plug my bass into my computer. I have a Creative SB Audigy sound card and I plugged my bass into a Zoom506IIBass Effect pedal that has an eq on it and then plugged it into the recording jack with the converter. I then unmuted the microphone and made an EQ effect that sounds perfect on the computer. However when I go to record it on either Audacity or Windows Sound Recorder I keep getting this high-pitched sound in the back: almost like a bird chirping in one strait pitch. It only happens when I strike a note though. Any thoughts as to why this might be and how I may fix it? I tried setting the pedal to bypass mode to see if it worked wit just my bass but not only did it sound horrible through the speakers, i still got the chirping sound. I haven't tried plugging it in directly yet, but I didn't see why there would be much of a difference. Any help is greatly appreciated!
 
Probably some sort of digital noise, methinks. I often hear this when attempting to record through computer gear. I don't know how to get rid of it - the only solution AFAIK is to avoid recording through anything other than a proper recording device, like a Presonus Firebox or Digidesign M-Box etc.
I could be wrong.
 
Sounds like harmonics coming from above the nut. Try wrapping an elastic hair tie or something similar around the neck on the tuner side of the nut.

The sound is always the same pitch, so I doubt its harmonics. I'll try that next time i give it a shot though.

Probably some sort of digital noise, methinks. I often hear this when attempting to record through computer gear. I don't know how to get rid of it - the only solution AFAIK is to avoid recording through anything other than a proper recording device, like a Presonus Firebox or Digidesign M-Box etc.
I could be wrong.
I'm extremely cheap.

The Zoom doesn't have a usb?
Unfortunately, no.
 
Thats definately some sort of noise being emitted by the computer or zoom pedal. Zoom pedals are not really for recording, they are extremely noisy. Plugging your bass straight into the computer with the onboard soundcard are gonna give you the worst results possible. If your cheap and dont want to do it learn to live with it becuase without possibly using some sort of eq filter in post theres no way around it. Inputs on a computer (onboard) are extremely noisy and not suitable for recording. If you used some sort of noise suppressor that would fix the noise from the zoom if that is your problem. If the computer is the problem, which is probably is, learn to live with it or purchase a new soundcard.
 
there could be a lot of things wrong. the previous posts were all good, so here's some other thoughts:

* buy a cheap direct box with a 1/4" TRS output. plug that into your computer. the transformer might remove that noise, and DI's are great to have anyway.

* if the Zoom power adapter has a grounding pin (3 prong plug), then try lifting the ground by using a 3-to-2 prong adapter. another very useful tool to have when plugging electrical devices together

* check your cables, and replace the battery in your bass if it's active.

if nothing removes that noise, try plugging your bass into your home stereo and see if the noise is there. if so, then it's coming from your bass and you need to get the electronics looked at.

if you have another instrument or sound source (even an mp3 player or walkman would do), plug it into your computer and see if that sound is there. if so, then it's your computer/sound card and you are SOL.

all in all, you can't expect good results from using gear, especially consumer (re: gaming) sound cards, as a recording interface. it's not designed to handle what you are doing to it, and even if you remove the noise, the sound quality may not be what you are hoping for.


i totally understand the desire to keep expenses down to a minimum, but there is a HUGE number of low-priced USB, Firewire and PCI alternatives to an Audigy that you can use to record your bass. i'm talking less than $100 new, and peanuts used. throw in the towel and get something else.

i hope this helps!
nick