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noise issues on stage?

Discussion in 'Live Sound [BG]' started by J.Wolf, Jul 18, 2013.

  1. Jul 18, 2013 #1
    J.Wolf

    J.Wolf Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2003
    Asheville, NC
    Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine
    I've been running into this problem with both of my main basses. When I plug into my rig on stage, even in places with very clean power, and isolated power outlets, I get that particular kind of noise/hum that is position specific. As in, in one certain position the noise goes away, but when I turn a half inch from that position it is quite loud. Separately, I get some hiss from my signal chain, but thats another can of worms considering all thats in the chain.

    The question is: Are there any devices that reduce/filter that noise? I was wondering if a Palmer isolation box would cut down on this noise or any other buzz/hum coming from shielding issues or ground loops in my signal chain. Mostly it seems, the majority of my noise issues is originating from the instrument, because when I unplug the bass, 80% of the noise goes away. thanks, and sorry for my serious ineptitude when it comes to understanding electrical issues.
     
  2. Jul 18, 2013 #2
    Floyd Eye

    Floyd Eye Inactive

    Feb 21, 2010
    St. Louis
    Maybe shield the cavity of your bass.
     
  3. Jul 18, 2013 #3
    J.Wolf

    J.Wolf Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2003
    Asheville, NC
    Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine
    did that. reshielded the crap out the electronics cavity and both pickup cavities.
     
  4. Jul 18, 2013 #4
    RadioRob

    RadioRob

    Dec 15, 2012
    Go wireless.
    I have one bass that hums at curtain angles like when I play towards my monitor.
    But when I use my Line 6 no hum.
     
  5. Jul 18, 2013 #5
    J.Wolf

    J.Wolf Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2003
    Asheville, NC
    Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine
    that sounds like a decent workaround, but I'd like to fix the problem itself if possible. Also, I don't really want to use a wireless.. Call me old fashioned :)
     
  6. Jul 18, 2013 #6
    derrico1

    derrico1 Supporting Member

    Apr 12, 2005
    Charlottesville, VA
    Since the noise depends on the orientation of your bass, I'd agree with what your instincts seem to be telling you: that the source is the pickups. (Playing Fender-style single-coils, by any chance?)

    Any chance the instruments' electronics-to-ground wires were disturbed when you shielded the body/PUP cavities? (The system hum should get lower when you put the heel of your hand on the bridge or strings.)

    If everything is wired correctly and the cavities are properly shielded, I'd look at learning to live with the noise (not a great option), changing out single-coil pickups to a noiseless/HB design (again, not always reasonable, especially if you're playing vintage instruments), or using a wireless.

    BTW, something in your chain could be making the noise worse, and it's worth testing by plugging the bass straight into your amp just to make sure. I'd be surprised, though, if the root problem was downstream of your bass.
     
  7. Jul 18, 2013 #7
    J.Wolf

    J.Wolf Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2003
    Asheville, NC
    Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine
    I think it's a combination of several factors. There is a little bit of noise coming from my paddleboard, And the pickups are dual coil but there's a passive switch on the preamp and when I put it in passive mode the noise level goes down quite a bit. I'm not prepared to swap out every contributive factor in my chain, therefore I was looking for something that I could put in line that might filter out some of the noise. But solid shielding is not the problem. And i Rewired my pedalboards so that's a little bit quieter, ditching the one spot was the biggest thing.
     
  8. Jul 18, 2013 #8
    Eric Moesle

    Eric Moesle

    Sep 21, 2001
    Columbus OH
    I have the same problem every once in a while depending on the location.

    Example, bass buzzes, but when I face 20 degrees in either direction it stops.

    That problem, at least for me, is using single coil pickups in my well-shielded jazz bass that are picking up interference from something in the room. Its the nature of the beast unfortunately. You can try split coil pickups to replace your singles, but I think they don't sound as aggressive. YMMV.
     
  9. Jul 18, 2013 #9
    J.Wolf

    J.Wolf Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2003
    Asheville, NC
    Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine
    The bass definitely has dual Coil pickups in it. And it's shielded like a bomb cellar. Seems weird. I might try one of those Palmer isolation boxes since I know other guys really about them for similar issues
     
  10. Jul 18, 2013 #10
    longfinger

    longfinger

    Mar 22, 2008
    Montreal, QC, Canada
    I've heard that kind of problem comes from the natural magnetic field of the Earth being picked up by the pickups. There are also other magnetic fields created by human made electrical machines that can be picked up from the pickups too.
     
  11. Jul 18, 2013 #11
    J.Wolf

    J.Wolf Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2003
    Asheville, NC
    Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine
    Only space gigs for me from here on out ;-)
     
  12. Jul 20, 2013 #12
    ggunn

    ggunn

    Aug 30, 2006
    Austin, TX
    Since the noise goes away when you change positions it is getting into your signal chain at the bass itself. Nothing you do to the power connection of your amp (and that includes grounding) will make any difference.
     
  13. Jul 20, 2013 #13
    J.Wolf

    J.Wolf Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2003
    Asheville, NC
    Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine
    Thats my hunch, and what I'm afraid of. I actually think its coming in at the preamp, because if I play passive mode (bypassing the onboard pre) in these venues, that positional noise seems to go away. I've got the cavity shielded well, but maybe the preamp module or wiring is particularly susceptible to picking up gremlins on stage.