Bilbo Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 I have had a problem with my recording set up for years and today had an epiphany in terms of troubleshooting the issue. I have, since I can remember, been hearing a little buzzing hum when I record which I have never been able to locate and address. Tonight, with new leads, new mics, nee everything realised that, if I hook everything up to the computer via mic/lead/pre-amp/lead/audio interface/pc, it is silent as the grave and the signal is good and solid. As soon as I open the Cubase SX software, there is the hum. Can anyone shed any light on what this may be? It appears whether you are recording or not. Do I need new recording software or will that make no difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topo morto Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 When you open Cubase is it changing the signal path - e.g. switching from a direct hardware monitor path to monitoring through the driver? Have you tried using any other software (e.g. grab the demo version of Reaper)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 Sounds as though Cubase is opening with an un-used signal source open. Does the hum change if you mute the Cubase o/p..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted March 1, 2014 Author Share Posted March 1, 2014 Could be either. What would the solution be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted March 2, 2014 Author Share Posted March 2, 2014 What's an o/p, bro? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 Just on real instruments, not software ones ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topo morto Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1393764702' post='2384068'] What's an o/p, bro? [/quote] Output, I guess? Try muting the main output and the channel inputs and see what if anything stops the noise.... BTW what audio interface do you have? Edited March 2, 2014 by topo morto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted March 2, 2014 Author Share Posted March 2, 2014 Edirol UA-20 audio capture thingumma jiggy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1393764702' post='2384068']What's an o/p, bro?[/quote] [quote name='topo morto' timestamp='1393764931' post='2384074']Output, I guess?...[/quote] Yes, sorry; o/p=output, i/p=input p/up=pickup... One gets lazy too soon. Apologies. Any progress, though..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the boy Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1393704301' post='2383614'] Sounds as though Cubase is opening with an un-used signal source open. Does the hum change if you mute the Cubase o/p..? [/quote] This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1393704301' post='2383614'] Sounds as though Cubase is opening with an un-used signal source open. [/quote] I get this if I use Garageband (which I rarely do, as I don't get on with it). Presumably there is a menu somewhere that can be tweaked to fix this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted March 2, 2014 Author Share Posted March 2, 2014 Will look next time I can get to it. Thanks for the steer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonsmith Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 You haven't got one of those expensive plug-ins - the ones that replicate vintage gear right down to the mains hum - running have you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted March 2, 2014 Author Share Posted March 2, 2014 Don't think so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockfordStone Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 could be something dumb like the power sockets you are plugged into, or the lighting in your room even. i used to get a lot of signal hum, changed my power arrangement and hum was gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurksalot Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Flourescent lighting in our rehearsal venue can play havoc with my wireless set-up , does the energy saving bulb type things work in the same way ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1393775054' post='2384186'] Edirol UA-20 audio capture thingumma jiggy. [/quote] There's your problem right there - this has been superseded (for exactly the problem you've described) by the Edirol UA-20 audio capture [i]Oojamaflip[/i]. I'd have a look at the input and output (F4 if memory serves) in Cubase. Also look in preferences to see what the default input is. Could be that (by default) Cubase is creating a stereo input and you're only giving it a mono one - causing the 'ground' to go to the second input and giving you a hum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 [quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1394838559' post='2395955'] There's your problem right there - this has been superseded (for exactly the problem you've described) by the Edirol UA-20 audio capture [i]Oojamaflip[/i]. [/quote] [size=4]Although I believe there was a way around it using a [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Behringer Hum Destroyer HD400.[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]To be honest you are better off just getting a new Audio interface for what they cost these days.[/font][/color][/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted May 31, 2014 Author Share Posted May 31, 2014 How do I check what the default inputs are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 go to devices and then VST connections (I think) and it'll say which input on the soundcard is going to which input in Cubase, but if it's just a stereo interface it'll have one stereo input by default, left being 1 and right being 2. when you add a mono channel to record, set the input to the right one and you're done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted March 13, 2015 Author Share Posted March 13, 2015 Nailed it at last. It was a hardware fault not a software one. I won't waste anyone's time with details but it was essentially a gain thing. My monitoring signal chain had three gains in it (pc, audio interface and headphone amp). By setting these up properly, I increased the originating signal so was able to turn it down through the others and bobs your uncle. Very happy bunny! As for my Rode NT1A, I think it's a deader. I recorded using an SM58 tonight and it worked better than the Rode ever did!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 Got a new audio interface and that hum has gone at last!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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