Buzzing

Nightfire · Post by **Nightfire** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 8:32 pm

Ok, Im running my guitar into my amp, a cable from my amp headphone/lineout jack to my soundcard. It sounds good and clean coming through my speakers, but after I recorded it and i listen to it there's a buzzing, almost like a distortion mildly. Turning down volume to record doenst help either...

Mike

Post by **Acoustica Eric** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:42 pm

You are physically connecting two devices that use AC power. Try a ground lift on the amp.
It is always better to use a microphone for recording a guitar running through an amp, this will take care of the noise issue.

Nightfire · Post by **Nightfire** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:18 pm

Sorry Im new to all of this, what does a ground lift mean? My mic is pretty wellfare, if theres any way to make the buzzing go away without using the mic I'd like to explore that option first.
Thanks,
Mike

Post by **Acoustica Eric** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 7:39 am

A ground lift means to disconnect the ground on one of the power cords. Usually with one of those small things that converts three prong plugs to two prong plugs. That disconnects the ground wire.
Here's a picture of one.
http://www.american-allergy-supply.com/ ... 20plug.jpg

Gman · Post by **Gman** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:09 pm

If you have a Strat style guitar (with single coil pickups), stay away from your computer monitor! The buzz is horrendous. Humbucker dual coil pickups are not as bad, but still introduce some hum.

(And I like to do all my guitar recordings with a line in, not a mic. Eric and I have agreed to disagree here, but Eric has quite a large amount of experience in this area.)