Hissing noise when recording audio

Are you recording at 24 bits?

At first glance, it appears the FastTrack Pro has either mic or instrument level inputs, but no line-level inputs. Try bypassing the dbx and plugging the mic directly into the FastTrack and see if that affects noise.

When you record in 16 bits you need to have the signal as hot as you can get it without clipping. I suggest you try 24 bits for recording. I'll bet the hiss will go away. And you don't need to worry so much about how hot your signal is. 

What Record Mode are you running with in Sonar?  WDM or ASIO?
 
If you have installed drivers for your audio interface, try using a Sample Rate of 44.1 for it, and an ASIO Buffer Size of 128, and go into Sonar preferences, Apply a Record Mode to change it to ASIO, and also Apply a Sample Rate 44.1 - then try recording again and post back with results.
 
Bob Bone

SuperG
At first glance, it appears the FastTrack Pro has either mic or instrument level inputs, but no line-level inputs. Try bypassing the dbx and plugging the mic directly into the FastTrack and see if that affects noise.

IIRC
 
The mic inputs are for the mics.
 
The TRS input is for the Line, and it can be switched with the Line/Inst switch to TS instrument input.
 
 

No need to apologize. I'd call it a sound card too.
 
I was grasping for possible reasons. :-)
 
The Fast Track should do 24 bit no problem. If you are setting it to 24bit and finding it defaults back to 16 check SONARs options for Record Bit Depth and Default project Bit Depth.
 
Which driver are you using? Is it possible you are using MME when you have other choices? What does it say in SONAR's Audio Options?
 
best regards,
mike

A few things to try:
 
Set up as you usually do with the mic going into the Fast Track's mic pre input. Set the Fast Track input level as usual.
 
Unplug the mic lead from the Fast Track (so there's nothing connected) then record. Do you get silence or hiss? If hiss, how loud is it (what does the track meter in Sonar tell you)?
 
If no hiss, then connect the mic and lead. Make sure the mic is pointing at nothing (especially your PC) and sit it under a cushion. Record. Is there hiss now?
 
Finally, are you sure the hiss isn't the "blow"noise from your amp being picked up by the mc, or the fans in your pc, or air conditioning or anything else external? Our brains filter out background noise, especially low-level noise we're used to hearing all the time. Until we start recording audio, when it becomes painfully obvious :-).