Recording Advice - Hiss

[dave_says]

Hi, I'm sure that this has been asked a thousand times over. I've recently started to trying to record more seriously, but am struggling with hiss in the audio, and I was hoping for some advice before blowing my rent money on unnecessary purchases!  Current recording set up is as follows Musicman Stingray -> Gallien Krueger MB Fusion 500 -> Direct Out via XLR to 1/4" jack Behringer U-Phoria 
UMC204HD -> USB -> Macbook Air

I've tried recording with and without the ground lift to no discernible difference.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[lurksalot]

Is the 1/4” jack part of the equation a balanced jack ? It would look like a stereo jack ? 

[Muppet]

Have you got your DI out on the amp set to 'Post' and the volume on the amp set low? 

 

[Kevsy71]

Is there a difference when you record with the Macbbok Air plugged in vs it running off battery? MIne has quite shocking grounding issues - they are a bit notorious for it unfortunately.

[skidder652003]

xlr to 1/4 inch jack sounds like the culprit (possibly), doesn't he behringer have xlr in? Or alternatively just go go bass to behringer and use amps in your DAW, the less connections, the better

 

[Dad3353]

I'd suggest the same as above^^ : plug the bass directly into the interface and record without the amp. You'll get a far cleaner, and more useful, signal that way. Any sound treatment, such as Fx, can be best added through the DAW.
Just my tuppence-worth; hope it helps. 

[Sibob]

Yes, I would suggest recording direct (ie bass straight to interface), the amp is doing nothing for you other than EQ, which you may as well do in the DAW and take a connection out of the equation.

Experiment with your laptop plugged into the mains and just on battery. I've been in some situations where plugged in is better, and just on battery is better....who knows.

Also try using as short a jack cable as possible between your bass and the interface.

Si

[dave_says]

Thanks for your advice all! Am currently testing your suggestions.