StillSourDiesel
Squier-holic
I am noticing that with my fishman fluence pickups I am getting some clipping on palm mutes. This is even with gain turned down all the way between guitar and AI. I've never seen this.
Fishmans and some clipping
- Thread starter StillSourDiesel
- Start date
GilmourD
Squier-Nut
How old is the battery?
StillSourDiesel
Squier-holic
Brand new! I put it in with the purchase
GilmourD
Squier-Nut
OK, then we need to know what's in your chain to figure out what's clipping and why.
StillSourDiesel
Squier-holic
Nothing! That's my point. Fiddle-Interface-Laptop. Clipping is on the interface, I'm seeing it. Are actives that much output? If so, those is nuts!
DougMen
Squier-Axpert
Active pickups are often a lot higher output than passive ones, which is why many bass amp have either two inputs, or a switchable pad on the single input for using with active pickups. AFAIK, many/most interfaces and/or mixers also have a switchable 20db pad for the same reason, although in a mixer it's usually for use with very hot mics.
StillSourDiesel
Squier-holic
I have seen some interfaces with passive/active options, mine is like 6-7 years old and doesn't have that option. Oh well! I can use my Mx5 for recording guitar, and skip the interface altogether
GilmourD
Squier-Nut
Ah, OK. Which interface? My old Behringer UMC404HD and my current Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 both have input gain controls on each input and an input pad as well as a clip indicator.
58Bassman
Squier Talker
Is the guitar's volume control wide open?
StillSourDiesel
Squier-holic
Always. I didn't even know it turned down!
StillSourDiesel
Squier-holic
Maudio 2x2, it has a gain setting on the inputs, which is all the way down. Clipping indicator turns red on palm mutes.
GilmourD
Squier-Nut
This guy right here?
Yeah, looks like no pads... I wonder if they're something you can enable in software. Is there a control panel application for it?
StillSourDiesel
Squier-holic
Mine is even older than that one!
Active pickups present a different impedance to device inputs. They usually need a Line-Input option or as others have stated a unit that has a input reduction pad option.
I still have one of these,
Behringer Mic200 Ultragain Valve pre-amp/DI box USA eBay
I've not used it with Active pickups but I suspect it would work as it has input padding options. It also adds valve warmth to recordings as it uses a 12ax7 valve. It's EQ options are superb and work. As above you can get them for what is ,"Chump=Change"2nd hand. Even if it didn't cure your particular problem, but with luck it will, you would still find it useful.
This is an old track I did using Line6 Podfarm amp modelling which sounded too digital to me until I ran the guitar through the Behringer,
HTH
I still have one of these,
Behringer Mic200 Ultragain Valve pre-amp/DI box USA eBay
I've not used it with Active pickups but I suspect it would work as it has input padding options. It also adds valve warmth to recordings as it uses a 12ax7 valve. It's EQ options are superb and work. As above you can get them for what is ,"Chump=Change"2nd hand. Even if it didn't cure your particular problem, but with luck it will, you would still find it useful.
This is an old track I did using Line6 Podfarm amp modelling which sounded too digital to me until I ran the guitar through the Behringer,
HTH
StillSourDiesel
Squier-holic
Update, I ran my guitar into my MX5, then the MX5 into the Audio Interface. Worked WAY better. Can get great tone at loud volume without clipping. I really do think my audio interface is just old and clunky.
58Bassman
Squier Talker
It probably has a lower limit for maximum input voltage. That's the reason I asked about the VC on the guitar- it would probably clean up if that was lowered.
If you do decide to update your USB interface the Behringer UMC22 is a bargain and comes with Amplitude software as well and has a line input,
Behringer U-Phoria UMC22 USB Audio Interface
48kHz, 2-channel USB Audio Interface with 1 MIDAS Preamp, Phantom Power, and Instrument Input
www.sweetwater.com
$69.00
GilmourD
Squier-Nut
It's not that long ago that I upgraded to my Focusrite but I used to use a Behringer UMC404HD and a UMC202HD for portable purposes. They're pretty decent.If you do decide to update your USB interface the Behringer UMC22 is a bargain and comes with Amplitude software as well and has a line input,
Behringer U-Phoria UMC22 USB Audio Interface
48kHz, 2-channel USB Audio Interface with 1 MIDAS Preamp, Phantom Power, and Instrument Input
$69.00
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Fishman's have multiple wiring options and many have the ability to reduce gain by 6db. If you bought them new they come with a small jumper for the back of the pickup. It takes no special tools to install. Alternatively there is a small harness to wire it to a switch.
