Overdrive "Hum" on Zoom B3 when Recording

[rydin4lifebass]

I wasn't sure if this would go better in the Effects forum or the Recording forum but since it deals directly with overdrive effects, here it is! I'm recording an active Ibanez SR300 into a Zoom B3 out into a Fender Rumble 350 Head and then into a Tascam multi-track recorder. I'm using the ZNR noise reduction in bank one of the Zoom and the Overdrive effect in bank two. I like the distortion sound I'm getting but when I play a note that's not immediately followed by another note (think playing a note on the "3" of one bar and nothing until the "2" of the next bar, or something like that), I get a hum or "leftover" sound. It obviously interferes with the rest of the song as it's clearly audible. I've tried a few different techniques and muting the string but I still get it. Is there some way I can alter the effects or add something in the third bank to help clean that up? If so, what settings would you recommend?

 

[bassbrad]

The ZNR should after the fuzz. Any reason you Don' t use an amp model instead of the rumble and go direct?

 

[rydin4lifebass]

Would you agree that the ZNR should be after any of the distortion effects (muff, overdrive, etc.?)

No particular reason for running into the Rumble, all the settings are at noon on the Rumble and I just have an XLR out of the amp into the Zoom unit.

 

[scotch]

Yeah, noise gate after distortions/fuzzes. That's generally standard operating procedure!

The more stuff you plug in between your bass & recorder, the more potential for noise. Particularly with gain units (distortion). I'd eliminate the Rumble amp from the chain as it really isn't adding anything with the eq flat, it's just another 'so-so' quality di that you don't need. I'd put your noise gate last in your Zoom patch and go straight from that to the Tascam for best results.

 

[rydin4lifebass]

Thanks fellas. Any preference on using the instrument cable out vs. XLR out on the Zoom B3 into the Tascam?

 

[bassbrad]

There are some issues with the xlr out on ZoomB3 & Zoom B2.1u being too hot for some mixer and recorder inputs as they are generally too sensitive. For that reason I rarely use the xlr on either unit for recording and use the 1/4 into a passive di.

 

[GMC]

I wasn't sure if this would go better in the Effects forum or the Recording forum but since it deals directly with overdrive effects, here it is! I'm recording an active Ibanez SR300 into a Zoom B3 out into a Fender Rumble 350 Head and then into a Tascam multi-track recorder. I'm using the ZNR noise reduction in bank one of the Zoom and the Overdrive effect in bank two. I like the distortion sound I'm getting but when I play a note that's not immediately followed by another note (think playing a note on the "3" of one bar and nothing until the "2" of the next bar, or something like that), I get a hum or "leftover" sound. It obviously interferes with the rest of the song as it's clearly audible. I've tried a few different techniques and muting the string but I still get it. Is there some way I can alter the effects or add something in the third bank to help clean that up? If so, what settings would you recommend?

Wow....you must be the first bassist I've heard of who actually likes the Overdrive / distortion models on their Zoom B3. I went analogue for my dirt and grind. MXR El Grande Bass Fuzz, a MXR Bass Overdrive and a Darkglass Vintage MicroTubes fulfill that duty on my board these days.

 

[rydin4lifebass]

To be fair, the B3 is my first adventure into effects, so I don't really have anything to compare the effects to. Getting the sound I was after was definitely an experiment, but I got somethign similar that I was satisfied with. Thanks again for the help. I ended up going with the noise reduction after the overdrive and had to really adjust the tolerance on the ZNR to filter out the hum I was getting....

 

[Johno Dunn]

Then I'm the second! Just gotta know how to set the patch up for YOU to make em sound good. To be fare, I mostly overdrive amp sims for my dirt settings.

 

[bassbrad]

The B3 is working okay for the drives I need with a few added possibilities. Using fuzzface bb mostly.

 

[Bruski]

Also, have you tried different Cables.. ?
I have almost the exact same setup, only my Zoom is a B9.1ut
I prefer to go through my Rumble into the Tascam, so I can "Monitor" while recording w/o having to wear headphones... I have noticed a significant difference in OVERALL sound quality once I bought myself a few decent Cables & got away from the $5 Cheapos... Also, fairly certain the Rumble 350 has a GroundLift switch, try it both ways, see if that helps... Other than that, the other Replies have got ya covered; NoiseGate & Effects Ordering..

 

[franksapene]

Hi guys, I got a zoom B3 and want to record my bass through the B3 directly into a digital recorder (zoom r8). My question is: what output should I use from the b3 to the digital recorder, the xrl or the 1/4 cable?

The extra mile in your answer is: what is the difference between both considering it is going directly to a digital recorder

Thanks!! Frank