RiffWorks Standard & Amplitube 2 = MASSIVE line noise

[kewlpack]

Hey gang, hope you can help me out here...

I'm using a Creative Labs X-Fi Elite Pro audio interface (has Hi-Z, XLR, and Line Inputs). On WinXP SP2 with 4GB ram.

I just installed Amplitube 2 today. I have it all set up in RiffWorks Std.

I'm running my guitar straight into the Hi-Z input on my X-Fi Elite Pro interface.

I've selected the Line3/Hi-Z input in RiffWorks. I can hear the guitar fine. No noise.

However, I am getting insane amounts of constant line noise/hiss whenever I load Amplitube. Even if I unplug my guitar, the noise is constant while Amplitube is running.

In Amplitube, if I turn on the noise gate (even on clean models), it ALWAYS engages at about -50dB threshold. This is nuts. I've used lots of guitar gear before and never had this much trouble with unmanageable noise.

I cannot figure out how to get rid of this hiss (it isn't my guitar or cable as I've unplugged them). Is it some signal to noise ratio that I've got set whacky?

Note, I can record a track in RiffWorks and the line noise does NOT get recorded... so something on the riffworks output or amplitube's output, or my PC's playback output is set wrong - but I'm at my wit's end. It's almost like there's a signal boost somewhere that I can't find.

Please help me figure this out. I like the RiffWorks product, but the hiss envelopes anything I attempt to play.

Thanks for your help gang.

[gatorjj]

That's a tough one kewlpack, but FWIW maybe we'll collectively get lucky. You've said the noise does not get recorded in RiffWorks, so that should eliminate any issue on the "in" side.

A few questions:
- do you have just the VST instance running (the one in the AMP tab) in RiffWorks, or do you have both that and the standalone application up?

- if you set the input to the Line or XLR inputs, do you still get the hiss?

- do you get the hiss if you are running the standalone Amplitube application, without RiffWorks running?

[kewlpack]

Thanks Gatorjj,

I was using the VST via RiffWorks, yes. I don't see any standalone application (??); although I thought I was getting that when I bought Amplitube 2 (any help launching that would be VERY helpful).

I did try switching the input to the X-Fi interface's Line 2/Line Input - no change in the line noise. In the same way, there was no difference with the cable connected or not. I'll have to double check after work today, but I do believe it didn't matter which input I had it set to - the noise was prominent.

NOTE: I also have the X-Fi drivers set to "Audio Creation Mode" (required to record). I'm thinking i have something set wrong in the output settings somewhere (?).

Hmmm... I have Guitar Tracks Pro 3 (CakeWalk). I can try Amplitube 2 in that app (which I don't normally have any noise issues with). I've always used a modeler/multi-FX with it though.

[gatorjj]

The standalone should have been installed along with the VST's, it should be in your Program Files somewhere. Try Cakewalk and also the standalone app if you can to see if we can narrow it down to something in the interface and/or interface software.

There might be something routed funny in the Creative control panel, though I have no experience with it you might check that out as well.

J.J.

[kewlpack]

The standalone should have been installed along with the VST's, it should be in your Program Files somewhere.

I thought it'd be in the IK Multimedia Programs folder, but there's just a PDF in there...

Might have to call IK on that one.

[gatorjj]

Mine ended up directly in the Programs menu

[kewlpack]

I'll check when I break for lunch. I'm almost positive I did NOT see that in my All Programs list... I even uninstalled and reinstalled last night, thinking I messed something up.

Thanks - I'll get back to you.

[ThrobbyRobby]

Usually when I get that kind of hiss, a volume somewhere on something is set very high. It's just a wild guess though.

[kewlpack]

That's kinda what I'm thinking... maybe I have some output setting in RiffWorks set super high that only engages when Amplitube 2 is active. When I turn it off, the hiss is GONE.

I can play the guitar with no VST enabled and hear it fine - plenty of signal.

<scratch head>

[klascojoe]

i got some line noise or hisssssss but it is way below the sound when i play.i cant hear it at all.the clean sounds are quiet.i dont know whats the diff,i didnt set anything up any particular way.i just installed it and have been happy since. i can hear some hiss even with the guitar cable unplugged but its so far below the signal level its inaudible when playing.

[kewlpack]

Yeah, I've been recording off and on for about four years. I've never had this much of an issue with noise. I didn't start looking for support till I'd run through all the obvious checks.

I've also been trouble shooting with the IK Multimedia support guys. I hope I can get one of them on the phone after work, while I have things up and running. Then we can step through things properly.

I'm almost positive it's a problem with AT2 and a low signal being boosted way off the charts (?).

[gatorjj]

AT2's distorted patches can be noisy (like a cranked amp) but I've never seen it like you've described kewlpack. Keep us posted!

[klascojoe]

the hiss i have is about the same as a real amp. the hiss on a cranked jcm is loud but when you hit a note then your pantslegs start waving, you hear nothing but guitar. thats about the noise level i get.the sound to me is closer than any ive heard to a real miked amp, and the interface is great, the tubes even glow!but did they have to engineer the noise in there too?

[gatorjj]

I suppose if they modeled the behavior then that's part of it. Good thing they put a noise gate in too!

[kewlpack]

dunno what I did, but I started from scratch, triple checked all my inputs/outputs...

...things work great now. YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

AT2 sounds incredible. Lots to learn.