PA buzzing

[Epsilon]

Sorry if this issue has been posted before - I did a search and came up with tons of posts, read a bunch, but am just not sure what the right answer is still. This might not even be the right forum, so sorry once again. Anyway, here goes...

For the band I am in, we generally play small enough places where I am loud enough to run only through my own setup, not through a PA or mixing board and I have never had any buzzing issues...my own gear is quiet. Recently, we have moved to slightly larger venues, or have wanted to be mixed better. Our band has a mixing board and powered cabinets which we want to run everything through (vocals, guitar, bass, bass drum, etc.). At a recent gig, I tried going out from a bass buddy to the mixing board, and found I had a seriously noticeable constant buzz that I have never heard before. I tried using a different cable, but still had the buzz. I tried using an ART mic pre as well, and heard the buzzing. The cable with the guitarists stuff worked fine. I wound up using my own stuff for the gig and not running through any PA...no issues. We have another gig coming up and I know for sure I will need to probably run through the PA - can anyone recommend what the issue is, and how to fix this? Thanks in advance.

 

[anderbass]

Sometimes using certain 110v power outlets cause noise problems.
(Bring a quality extension cord and try em all)

If your Bass buddy and Art mic pre have a ground lift switches,
you might try flipping them next time.

Maybe the mixers phantom power (on you bass channel) was activated.

Sometimes stage lighting (dimmers) can cause these problems.
(work the dimmer up and down to see if its affecting you problem.)

(edit): a power outlet tester from a hardware store is easy to use,
inexpensive and can help identify problem 110v power outlets

 

[theshadow2001]

I suppose you could mute your channel on hte desk to make sure the buzz is coming from your gear. If it goes away when your channel is muted you've localised the fault to your gear.

If the buzz has only started since you used the bass buddy then thats more than likely your culprit.

How well is your bass shielded? Try turning the volume completely off on the bass and see if it goes. Try unplugging the bass and see if it goes. If the speakers are active they might have a ground lift it would be worth flicking a ground lift to see. Also can you get another DI box and try it out see if that changes anything.

 

[billfitzmaurice]

I had a seriously noticeable constant buzz that I have never heard before.

It's called a ground loop. Here's how you fix it:
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