Malibu1328


I'm using the M-Audio 410 Firewire.
If I'm not using a distortion kind of effect the guitar noise is fine, there isn't any.
If I turn down the guitar volume to zero there is zero noise - when using an effect.
Obviously as I turn up the volume (on distortion like effects) the noise level increases.
I've tried a few different amp sims with basically the same results.
I have also moved away from the computer - done the lights thing (off) - even turned off the monitor. Same results.
Is there some sort of "better" guitar 1/4" cable that might solve the problem?
The Strat and the Tele are decent guitars with good ( I think) electronics in them.
I have tried 5 different guitars into the M-Audio 410 FW - again basically the same noise levels when using some of the "bigger" distortion sounds found in most of these plug ins.
Yeah I'm totally lost but would appreciate any ideas.
Thank you again...

Garden variety Strats and all Teles do not have anything more than switches, pots and a capacitor or two (for tone control). The Clapton Strat (preamp and tone shaping) and the Roland-Ready Strat do have some electronics; not sure about the David Gilmour Strat . When I had it, the American Standard Tele was the noisiest guitar of my whole collection (EC, SRV and double fat Strat - 2 Seymour Duncan humbuckers). Anything but the most elemental of signal chains with the lowest minimum gain gave me horrendous noise. Solution was to record the signal basically dry and add effects later, but that was only with the Tele. Funnily enough the SRV Strat with it's Texas Special single coils wasn't anywheres as noisy as the Tele.

There are shielding kits for Strats and Teles - you might want to give them a shot. Something that will help a bit with the Tele (especially) if you don't want to do a shielding job on it is to pop the switch plate and jack loose and twist the wires going from the toggle switch. This will help quite down some but not all of the hum. It's a shame Fender just used plain hookup wire in their guitars instead of shielded wire (or even twisted pair wire).

jackn2mpu


There are shielding kits for Strats and Teles - you might want to give them a shot.

From another thread on same subject...
http://forum.cakewalk.com/fb.ashx?m=1275202

RNCMKG


I'll cast a vote for shielding as well. I recently shielded a MiM Fender jazz bass, and a Strat and got great results.

Here is a very useful link on the process that hasn't yet been mentioned:
http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/shielding/shield3.php

Here is a good source for copper shielding tape:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Supplies:_Shielding.html

I didn't follow the shielding process exactly, but incorporated the basic principles. The key is to fully shield the cavity and back of the pickguard and ensure there is full continuity to ground at the jack.

I found that both guitars are now very quiet, and there is no substantial difference in hum whether or not I am touching the strings.

LOL. Is Malibu still around to take advantage of all this advice?