Noise from Bass Pedals line-up to Jamhub ?

[Chris]

We are so happy to have the Jamhub, the Greenroom. We have been using it for many times, and now we are more experience in adjusting the knobs. However, some noise problem, need advises.

Our main problem is the bassist effect pedals line-up, i.e.
[Bass Guitar]-> [Boss Compressor]-> [Harke Bass attack]-> [Boss Bass Limiter]-> [Jamhub]

We have heard so much noise/hum from the Bass Channel during jamin'. We even try to use a better inter-connect cables, cannot resolve. We suspect it could be the grounding issue.


For the Guitarist, he is using the Boss ME-25 mulit-efxs box, from phone out, no noise, very quiet when not playing, no problem

For Vocalistss, we use a cheap karaoke box with duel wireless mikes, connect XLR in thru the Mike input, no lack, no noise, no problem, infact surprise by the ambient sound, superb!

For the Pianist, it is from phone out thru a KORG Electric Piano LP-350, no problem

For Drummer, we using a Yamaha DD-65c, Phone output, no problem
- Sometime, we also use the Boss DR-880, if drummer not around, no problem

I would like to try out, using a DI box after the Limiter, hope that it can solve the hum noise problem, i.e.

[Bass Guitar]-> [Boss Compressor]-> [Harke Bass attack]-> [Boss Bass Limiter]-> [Radial JDI DI Box]->[Jamhub]

Please advise, is this one of a good suggestion ? Also, we want to take advantage of this Radial Passive D.I we have, but how to connect it properly ? Which is the recommended route of connecting to the Jamhub, from the Radial JDI Passive DI, the 1/4" mono out or the XLR out ?

Many thanks!

Chris

[Chuck-at-JamHub]

Welcome, Chris!

Thanks for your GreenRoom purchase! We're glad to hear that you're happy with it...

I doubt that a DI after the limiter would help. I suggest trying to identify the cause of the noise by starting at the source (the bass) and adding one piece of gear at a time to the signal path like this:

• Bass > JamHub. No noise? Add next piece...
• Bass > Boss Compressor > JamHub. No noise? Add next piece...
• Bass > Boss Compressor > Harke Bass Attack > JamHub. No noise? Add next piece...
• Bass > Boss Compressor > Harke Bass Attack > Boss Bass Limiter > JamHub.

Let us know which piece(s) of gear seems to be adding the noise and we should be able to offer suggestions for minimizing or even eliminating it. I will say that this seems like A LOT of compression, which can often lead to a noisier signal...

I hope this helps!

[Chris]

Hi Chuck,

Thank you so much for your good suggestions, I did the line up one by one and eventually, confirmed all devices are fine. The culprit is actually the bass guitar, I opened the backplate and found it to be a passive, no battery! I guess the passive's magnetic pickup alot of noises.

I plug-in the bass straight into a mono-stereo plug(provided by Jamhub) into a channel, I already start heaing many noises. This is especially when my hands off the strings, there are hums and noises. But when the strings are muted, the noises reduce like 80%.

I think this occur all the time on our bass, just that we never notice, because normally the bass is out in loud volume from a solid state bass speaker amp [Line6 Lowdown], not hearing through the cans.

How to reduce or minmial the Passive Bass' noise in using the jamhub?, Any tips to tweaks from your experience, I guess this is the current issue we are facing.

Thanks for reading...

Chris

[Madmax25]

I would suggest using some kind of modeller (Line6, Boss etc.) for the bass guitar. Probably something with a built in noise suppressor.

[Chuck-at-JamHub]

Hi Chris,

Sorry that I didn't reply sooner. The noise that you're describing as dropping by 80% when you touch the strings is probably due to a grounding issue with your bass. Do you have a good guitar tech in your area? They'd know exactly what to do if you describe this symptom to them...

The rest of the noise is probably due to your bass picking up EMI (electromagnetic interference). Light dimmers and flourescent lighting nearby can often radiate this kind of noise. Instruments with 'single-coil' pickups tend to pick that stuff up and amplify it. Instruments with 'humbucking' pickups generally do a good job of cancelling that noise out before it's amplified. Can you tell us the make and model of your bass?

Madmax25's suggestion of a noise suppressor (aka noise gate) is a good one, too. You can usually set these up so the gate is closed when you're not playing and open when you are. Often times, the unwanted noise is most noticeable during silent passages (this is where the gate would help) and masked by the music (when the gate is open). The noise is still there, but less noticeable. Does this make sense?

'Hope this helps. Keep those questions coming...

All the best,