Preamp sheamp.

How about some info?

• What type of pickups have you got - this makes a difference on overall noise.
• What type of cable are you using - what's on each end.
• What are you plugging it into?
• What are your gain settings?
• Why don't you have a DI box - what makes you think you don't need one?
• What happened to my coherent sentence structure?

Well I'll answer as best I can:

On the guitar they're 2 single coil and one humbucker

Bass - one jazz style pick up at the back and a phased pick up config' closer to the neck

The cable is a mono Planet Waves with gold tips...good cable.

Plugging direct into MBox DI input.

Gain settings: Well I've been adjusting them to see if I can achieve noise reduction as best I can. I'm not overloading. The noise ratio is through the roof on both guitar and bass.

I was just 'under the impression' I didn't need a DI box for this kinda input....I used to use one in the studio but in my head there's this thing telling me I didn't need one....I don't know where I picked that up.

The sentences were fine John! :)

I'm willing to except the guitar and bass need a tune up I mean they're not the best but I just want to get the noise down. I'm thinking a DI box is the way to go because I've never had this kinda noise in the studio.

If you are using the DI inputs on the Mbox 2 you are absolutely correct that you do not need either a preamp or DI box to plug in an instrument like bass or guitar. Sorry not certain exactly what your problem is but is it possible you are picking up inteference through your instrument or cabling? Are all the wires run clear of crossing over power cords etc?

There are USB and MIDI and phono cables running from it too. I was wondering there was a ground loop but I don't think so.

I could try again moving it all around.

Just a pain!

Ground loop could be causing your issue, are all pieces of equipment including computer plugged into the same outlet? If so ground loop is less likely the issue. There also could be RF interference.

RF?

You may laugh at this but I'm too addled to pretend like I remember...

The MBox 2 is powered by USB.

Radio Frequency

No I don't think it's that.

I'm gonna try repositioning a few things, changing a few things but as it's both instruments it makes me think that the issue isn't coming from them....unless the cabling is all rubbish in them!

Exactly why don't you think it might be that?
Read this I know it is a little technical but there are some ideas in this that might help your situation, again I am not sure exactly what it is you are dealing with.
http://svconline.com/mag/avinstall_understanding_controlling_rf/

Quote from Fender Forum: "Single coils additionally, are great rF antennas. They will pickup hum and interference from light dimmers, neon bar lights, compressor motors, as in refrigerators, air compressors, walk in coolers, air conditioners, etc, CRT monitors as in computers, some cash registers, and older TV's, florescent lights, and many other sources. " Steve Dallman

So part of the reason this was not occuring in the studio is that engineers take great care with their power sources and design their spaces so none of these types of equipment are present.

I know I get horrible noise when my guitars humbuckers face my computer, I've had to record standing facing the other direction to counter.

I once recorded my friend in a room of computers and there was a slight immovable interference in the upper range.

Computers suck.

I had numerous problems similar to what you are describing throughout the years. Guitars are, especially flat wound pickup's, can pickup spurious Radio Frequency interference since they are such excellent little antennas. Frequently I've had to have a guitarist "rotate" to null out the noise. You'll find that if you rotate there will be a quiet position. Some move your guitar around like the hands of a clock move and you'll find the quiet spot. That will be the way you have to orient yourself every time you want to play guitar. Sometimes is noise is less noticeable coming from an amplifier. But when you go DI, it enhances the flaws. What you are basically doing is repositioning the pickup's so as to cause a 180° reverse phase orientation of your pickup's. It's possible it's just picking up power lines running throughout your house, as opposed to local radio & TV stations, police stations, fire stations, in your area, which can also be problematic at best. Most of the guitarists I recorded and up looking like "whirling dervishes" and then the unthinkable. You have to make them stand in that position without moving around much. Try that was some rock-and-roll guitarists.

Sit still! That's better.
Ms. Remy Ann David