How Do I Reduce Hiss On Guitar Parts And Live Reordings?, Logic Express plug-ins Options

[Repo]

How do i reduce hiss on guitar parts and live reordings but still maintain quality sound?
Obviously it helps to have a quality recording in the first place but sometimes i need to take out the background hiss from other samples etc
Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated on which are the best plug-ins from Logic Express 7.2 for this and how to tweek them effectively?

[globalhiccup]

Hi, Repo

Regarding guitar hiss or hum. This usually comes from using single-coil pickups, and this is especially evident in the studio. There are a few solutions, including

(a) You can remove the hiss using a graphic equalizer to focus on and then reduce the particular frequency of the hiss.
(b) Use a program like SoundSoap (Bias), which is excellent.
© Best of all, go to the root of the problem, and change the pickups on the guitar to EMGs. These are expensive, but cancel out virtually all the hiss. I find them excellent.

best wishes

[Repo]

Hi, Repo

Regarding guitar hiss or hum. This usually comes from using single-coil pickups, and this is especially evident in the studio. There are a few solutions, including

(a) You can remove the hiss using a graphic equalizer to focus on and then reduce the particular frequency of the hiss.
(b) Use a program like SoundSoap (Bias), which is excellent.
© Best of all, go to the root of the problem, and change the pickups on the guitar to EMGs. These are expensive, but cancel out virtually all the hiss. I find them excellent.

best wishes

Thankyou very much globalhiccup, thats good advice mate.
Thanks for taking the time.

[minskybabs]

Hi, Repo

Regarding guitar hiss or hum. This usually comes from using single-coil pickups, and this is especially evident in the studio. There are a few solutions, including

(a) You can remove the hiss using a graphic equalizer to focus on and then reduce the particular frequency of the hiss.
(b) Use a program like SoundSoap (Bias), which is excellent.
© Best of all, go to the root of the problem, and change the pickups on the guitar to EMGs. These are expensive, but cancel out virtually all the hiss. I find them excellent.

best wishes

Thankyou very much globalhiccup, thats good advice mate.
Thanks for taking the time.

Changing pickups on a guitar is pretty full on expensive route to take, especially if you have a vintage 57 Strat with single coils, you would definately not want to change the pickups then!! Often the monitor causes the hum, experiment with different positions when playing guitar, ensure the connections in the guitar are all good, shielded, grounded etc. I find sitting at a different angle to the monitor, or just further away from the monitor makes a real difference to the hum/buzz with single coils.

Cheers Jake.

[Mac Daddy]

About Guitar "Hum".... I know I'm going to get seriously "Beat Up" for this remark... But, I've got to say this and "I" believe it's true.

No one loves a real concert or live music more than I do, however, I usually go away saying: "Damn, that sounded like crap". From headline Super Stars to nameless wannabees... The only thing I hate more than bad playing is guitar and bass hum. I really hate it on a recording, unless it is a "Vintage" "Original" Pre-Digital Recording.

My advice. DI. DIRECT IN. There are many to choose from. Line 6 is a affordable "Professional" alternative to 'Hum'.... Save that problem for the "Live Gig" where it's expected, even respected... But, in my headphones it is "Rejected". There is no need for "Hum" in todays recordings. Messes up the sound of everything...

You guitar and bass players better be cool, I remember when drummers were replaced by one man, there are at least 50 such men today trying to replace Guitarists... These virtual guitar players are always on time, don't need toilet breaks, are always in tune, don't have ego problems, won't steal your girlfriend/boyfriend and most importantly: "NO HUM", unless "Requested".

You don't need an Amp in todays studios. Only the "High-End Professional Studios" use Amps, and believe me, they don't "Hum". "Hum" in a "Professional Studio" is not tolerated. "Pros" walk into the Studio sit in the control room and go Direct-In.

I really hate Hum.

[davidmesiha]

How do i reduce hiss on guitar parts and live reordings but still maintain quality sound?
Obviously it helps to have a quality recording in the first place but sometimes i need to take out the background hiss from other samples etc
Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated on which are the best plug-ins from Logic Express 7.2 for this and how to tweek them effectively?

hey man,
try using a noise gate and see if it helps you achieve what you want.
cheers
David

[Psych]

I don't know what high end studio's you have been in, or what pro's you have recorded with, but I've never heard of anyone recording professionally without a real amp. Digital sounds are ok for work at home, but in a studio, I'm yet to see anyone use solely DI, sometimes they will blend, but never a fully digital sound, and never a solely DI'd sound. Digital effects are nowhere near replacing valves yet. So my advice, if you are recording at home, then DI, if you are planning on gigging, or going to a studio and want to take your own amp, then buy a proper amp. Think about how many famous guitarists endorse certain amps, and then the plug in that comes out sounds nothing like it. For example, take all the guitar plug ins on Logic, none of them are close to a real sound, and in further example, the EVH plug in, sounds nothing like Eddie Van Halen. I've never seen any footage of him with his volume pot fully down, and still loads of hiss. Plug-ins have to create the distortion constantly to produce it, not just distort the signal before it is amplified. This means they will have a lot of hiss and crackle. All of the above applies for distorted guitars, and the majority for clean sounds too. I'm yet to meet any electric guitarist, playing clean, who will not have a preferred valve amp to give his sound that high end sparkly that digital effects cannot.

[mortalengines]

Amp modeling is getting more and more common actually (there are a TON of guys who use Amp Farm in professional studios). However you raised a really good issue for using a DI/splitter box (Radial makes one) that will split the signal and one can go as a DI to a mixer and one can go into an POD and into another channel. With the help of a reamp box you can even borrow a friends amp and reamp your signal into it and do what you will from there. But while I am writing this I gotta ask. How are you getting your guitar into the computer? Are you using a Preamp/DI or HI-Z input into a USB or FW interface? Please don't tell me you are using the Mac's mic input for it. Using a gate also helps when you are not playing to snuff out unwanted noise. By the way, I really hated the sounds of most modeling programs and I just bought Ampltube/Jimi Hendrix edition and I gotta say...It ain't bad.

www.myspace.com/mortal_engines

[Mac Daddy]

Psych... Guitar "Hiss" my favorite subject... Hum does not work in the studio environment period. Hum sucks no matter where it is, I have learned to accept it at a Live Gig, but it sucks there too. Unless your Amp does not Hum and your Microphone is at least a step above "Entry Level" (Cheap) then an Amp is cool. DI is much better in the studio, there is a lot less transfer going on. Why would you want "Hiss and Hum on your Recordings"? To prove it's a real guitar? A guitarist will know what you've done. No one can tell if you're using a Pre-CBS Fender, Marshall, MusicMan, whatever on a Recording... They would only be guessing. Too many "Killer" DI Solutions to ever worry about getting great guitar in and Hiss and Hum out... In fact, you can add hiss... Dumbest thing I ever heard of, but people using Virtual Guitars use it I've read... Buy Hiss!!!! It's insane. Line 6 is a great alternative and I'll bet it sounds better than whatever Amp you're using... It will leave your Amp, whatever it is, no matter how tweaked, whacked and pimped out it might be in the dust... On Stage as well...

Piss on Hiss... Sorry, could not help it.

I do like the mixing/blending of the two guitars, but, why? Why do you want Hiss on your maxed out mixes??????

[Mac Daddy]

Yo, "Psych" I Googled, Which Guitarist Use Direct/In To Record?

There are about 10 Pages of Information, Links, Tips, etc...

I also Googled: Getting Rid Of Guitar Hiss... Ditto on the amount of Pages, Links, etc...

There is no question a "GOOD" or "GREAT" Amp is ideal. However, these Amps and Guitars have been worked in order to work in the Studio.

Still, There is no room for hiss/hum on a Recording... It's absolutely crazy in my opinion to work to create a perfectly pristine and pure environment only to have a guitarist piss on it... I mean hiss on it...

Hiss/Hum in a club or concert I can tolerate, but, it still sucks... Hiss/Hum in "Head Phones"... Well, see how great that sounds... I think that "Guitarist" think their "Sound" doesn't stink... "Turn me up... I can't hear myself" I worked with some guitarist who were so loud you could hear each ridge of their fingerprint before it touched the string... They didn't have to play... They would just hit a chord or note, couldn't tell which was which because nothing but Hiss, Hum and Growl exploded from the Amp...

Where are these players now? Most are in the "Hall Of Blame"...

Great gear, Record baby, Record... Normal gear... D/I...Please otherwise you won't get two bars past these ears before you are "Next'd"....

Even Eddie Van Halen...

[julbul]

Real amp, good miking, eq and noise gate.

[Mac Daddy]

julbul Posted Today, 12:02 AM .... {Real amp, good miking, eq and noise gate.}

julbul... Amen, Amen, Amen. There is also D/I. Direct In. Line 6. Guitar Rig and several other such alternatives. Plus, they cost less than a "Good Amp, Microphone and Cables".

Save the Hisssssssssssss for the 'Live', but... "It sucks there too"

[Will2009]

Psych... Guitar "Hiss" my favorite subject... Hum does not work in the studio environment period. Hum sucks no matter where it is, I have learned to accept it at a Live Gig, but it sucks there too. Unless your Amp does not Hum and your Microphone is at least a step above "Entry Level" (Cheap) then an Amp is cool. DI is much better in the studio, there is a lot less transfer going on. Why would you want "Hiss and Hum on your Recordings"? To prove it's a real guitar? A guitarist will know what you've done. No one can tell if you're using a Pre-CBS Fender, Marshall, MusicMan, whatever on a Recording... They would only be guessing. Too many "Killer" DI Solutions to ever worry about getting great guitar in and Hiss and Hum out... In fact, you can add hiss... Dumbest thing I ever heard of, but people using Virtual Guitars use it I've read... Buy Hiss!!!! It's insane. Line 6 is a great alternative and I'll bet it sounds better than whatever Amp you're using... It will leave your Amp, whatever it is, no matter how tweaked, whacked and pimped out it might be in the dust... On Stage as well...

Piss on Hiss... Sorry, could not help it.

I do like the mixing/blending of the two guitars, but, why? Why do you want Hiss on your maxed out mixes??????

Psych... Guitar "Hiss" my favorite subject... Hum does not work in the studio environment period. Hum sucks no matter where it is, I have learned to accept it at a Live Gig, but it sucks there too. Unless your Amp does not Hum and your Microphone is at least a step above "Entry Level" (Cheap) then an Amp is cool. DI is much better in the studio, there is a lot less transfer going on. Why would you want "Hiss and Hum on your Recordings"? To prove it's a real guitar? A guitarist will know what you've done. No one can tell if you're using a Pre-CBS Fender, Marshall, MusicMan, whatever on a Recording... They would only be guessing. Too many "Killer" DI Solutions to ever worry about getting great guitar in and Hiss and Hum out... In fact, you can add hiss... Dumbest thing I ever heard of, but people using Virtual Guitars use it I've read... Buy Hiss!!!! It's insane. Line 6 is a great alternative and I'll bet it sounds better than whatever Amp you're using... It will leave your Amp, whatever it is, no matter how tweaked, whacked and pimped out it might be in the dust... On Stage as well...

Piss on Hiss... Sorry, could not help it.

I do like the mixing/blending of the two guitars, but, why? Why do you want Hiss on your maxed out mixes??????

you might just be picking up ground-loop interference, and no matter what you do gear wise it won't totally go away, so, look into this first

[Mac Daddy]

In retrospect I am embarrassed by my "Piss on Hiss" remarks/opinions.... However, in my defense, I understand what it is and can tolerate it "Live", but in the Studio it drives me crazy.

The only way it makes sense in a noise-free, pristine environment is DI Direct In. But, "Guitarist" love their 'Whatever' 40 Watt or 400 Watt Favorite Amp and without it don't get the sound THEY like. Hiss and Hum destroys recordings in MY opinion... Operative word: "My".

Seeing my words after many months have lead me to understand I am an 'Old School Fool'. I apologize to any and all Guitarist who I have offended.

Guitarist rule. Whatever or wherever. Modern music would not be what it is without Guitarist. Period....

I apologize. I'm embarrassed. Somethings come back and kick you in the sack... My Hiss and Hum Posts sure did...

BUT, Hiss and Hum hurts my ears....

AM I THE ONLY ONE???????

[emgcarra]

Hi All:

I´ve been succesfull avoiding Fender and using Tranzport......(Fender quote is a joke, but Tranzport helps a lot...)
emgcarra

[Will2009]

it could simply be that you are picking up ground loop interference, or are your chords and cables compatible, don't try to re-invent the wheel, most often it is the simple things that we may overlook that causes us the most problems.



i

This post has been edited by Will2009: Fri 5 Dec 2008, 04:09

[mortalengines]

I have noticed that the hiss and hum I get is pretty dependent on quality of instrument cables and their length and by how many effects are in the chain. Sometimes it can also be a mere matter of turning 90 degrees away from the amp or my monitor. Using a gate that opens and closes quickly can often help where a signal may be a little noisy as well.

[Will2009]

yes, that's what ground loop interference will cause you to do , in order to quieten the instrument or equipment, there is something in the chain that needs to be grounded better,
to find exactly which one can be somewhat of an task, but a necessary one, especially if it's very noticeable in your music.. you can probably google " Ground Loop Interference "
and find out much more about it than I can tell you.. Good Luck!!

[azkid]

How do i reduce hiss on guitar parts and live reordings but still maintain quality sound?
Obviously it helps to have a quality recording in the first place but sometimes i need to take out the background hiss from other samples etc
Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated on which are the best plug-ins from Logic Express 7.2 for this and how to tweek them effectively?

We haven't heard back from you Repo, and lot's of responses to your hiss prob. Hiss noise is usually defined as a higher frequency than hum. Hum is most always around 60Hz (really low), or multiples thereof, and is usually caused from a poor ground connection.

If it's truly hiss that you're talking about, and it's a high frequency, like "white noise" with a "s" instead of the "sh" sound, then it may be something as simple as too much gain in that particular frequency. Preamps are notorious for introducing hiss, as are sensitive mics. Then again, cold solder joints can cause it too, as well as a leaking circuit component like a capacitor or tube.

As you connect your equipment, one at a time, find the source of the noise? Make sure your cables and connectors are good, all connections and plugs/jacks, should be cleaned from time to time.

It sounds from your original statements, that this hiss has always been with you, both while recording and during live play. If this is true, and you can hear the hiss outside of your recording, then try finding out what equipment and which settings are causing it. Move stuff around, change the high end equalization, and repair/replace the piece that brings the noise in.

Other than that, you really are stuck with trying to edit it out of your recording, with equalization or noise gates or software that edits out that particular noise.

I'd like to hear back from YOU, with more info on what equipment you're connecting, and a description of the "hiss'.

(We gave away noise for free at the phone company, so I know a little about it. )

Thanks and good luck!

[Will2009]

I agree with you on this, in going thru the process of elimination to find the source and then apply the necessary corrections..