recording issue

[tek_]

hi, maybe stupid question but when I record my virus and MS2000 I notice some noise in the background wich is audible "sometimes" in my mix, so I have to ad some little cutoff to reduce it..on the sound infected ,I dont want to do a noise reduction cuz that will spoil quality to much on some sounds..,my question : with a better soundcard could this be solved? for now I have a revolution 7.1 m-audio wich is cheap but decent..I do record as high as possible tough.

thanks

[Hollowcell]

Is the noise there before the recording? Could be a noisy mixer or pre-amp. For example I have a cheap desk and the pre-amps are really shitty. If I turn the pre-amps up there is an audible noise.

Maybe check your cables too.

I doubt the noise is coming from the sound card - but there is a chance. Do you have any other cards next to the port that has your sound card (i'm guessing it's a PCI sound card by the way)?

[tek_]

I do have a mixer with preamp , cables are 3m long each , soundcard is PCI ,maybe that is the problem , anyway not the end of the world mostly I can cut the noise without much loss , just wondering .

peace/

[Hollowcell]

My advice would be find out if it's noise pre-recording or post - you don't wanna cut noise with EQ inside the computer when the noise could easily be fixed out side. From what you said at first though, it sounds like it may be pre-recording.

Try this (although you probably have already)..

1. Balance the mixer levels so the main mixer, control room and independant channels. If you have the indepentant channels too quiet and the main mixer too loud to compensate, adjust so they are all below their max levels.

2. Move your PCI cards around. If possible, try to nothing sitting next to your sound card.

3. Move sound cables around so none of them over lap power cables too much - cable quality (not length) can make a difference here.

4. If you are using pre-amps on the desk to boost signal, I'd advise against using them too much (unless you have a really nice desk - wish I had more money).

Hope you get rid of it. It's not goodd recording noise at all.

[jasedee]

Also check that your synths are fed into the right inputs....eg I have mine running into LINE LEVEL inputs (@ -10dB or +4dB depending on your gear)......and NOT running into mic input (Although I dont know for sure if this is the cause, but am trying to rule out everything)

Basically, you need to start from scratch, with nothing going into the mixer except your headphones (not even your monitors). Then add your synth and see if noise is still there. If not, then record into soundcard...and on playback see if the noise is there. ALSO, try to keep audio leads and Power leads away from each other, and if they do have to cross, make sure they cross at a 90 degree angle (right angle), otherwise you will induce a current electromagnetically into the audio lead. Also make sure your power leads arent wound around on the floor as this creates a large magnetic field. Best to have them straight.

Also try recording into different channels, and different input on your sound card. Dont give up and just live with the problem...get it sorted now, otherwise you may be needlessly buying new equipment when the stuff you have is fine.

Good luck,

Jase