Hey guys,

Hi everybody

newbie here :oops:

just joined up to "pick your brains"

I have just got myself a piezo pickup for my kalimba - if I plug it into my bass amp, or effects chain, or into the 1/4" jack mic input of my BOSS loopstation, I get a dreadful earth hum. this can be fixed by attaching the casing of the amp, or the casing of the cable, to the body of yours truly.

I have a Fender Standard Jazz Bass 5 string. I bought it used and it has two pickups, One is really loud, and the second one (which I think sounds better, not as throaty as the first one) is really quiet. So if I'm trying for a nice smooth sound I have to crank up my amp. Is this a common problem, or should I look at this?

I just picked up a pretty high-endpre/di and eq unit (Speck electronics) and compressor (FRM RNC), and i'm having trouble getting what i feel to be natural sounding results with them (it's a little better than without them, but not a ton).

what are these exactly, like SuperCardioid, Omni and figure-8. Could I get an explination maybe?

Also, what do you guys think of the Samson Condencer mics that are out. What are some good condensers for a home studio?

I usually do a lot of rock and electric based music. Right now I'm working with an acoustic group though. We have mic'ed all the guitars and also taken a D.I. from their on board piezo pickups. I have never been happy with the sounds I've gotten with the piezo tracks. The artist would like to blend the piezo and mic'ed guitar sounds. I'm not happy with the way this sounds.