Hum/hiss from XLR OUT despite an empty preset/no guitar plugged in

[Codyh923]

I was trying to track a DI guitar through my Helix when I noticed it all had a constant hum/hiss accompanying it. I use 2 XLRs so I can have one recording DI dry track and the other playing my own preset so I can hear what it might sound like with distortion. I realize I can just plug my guitar into my interface but then I can't hear with distortion since I don't own any plugins or programs for that. The hum/hiss wasn't happening a few months ago when I last did this, and I revisited that previous project (same 2 XLR setup) and there was no hum/hiss in the recording.

 

Current setup is Helix Floor XLR out to an interface that is plugged into my computer. Helix USB to computer is not connected. Preset is on an EMPTY PRESET. Ins/Outs on Global Settings have XLR outputs and 1/4 outputs to Line. Hum/hiss is only present when an XLR or 1/4 is going from my Helix to my interface. DAW does not have to be open for hum/hiss to be present. Hum/hiss is also present when only using headphones.

 

I have tried:

Using a noise gate (to the extreme)

Using different guitars plugged in, also with different cables

Unplugging the guitar input entirely

Using different XLRs

Pressing the ground/lift

Plugging the Helix into a different wall outlet

Changing interface sound settings on my computer between 1 channel/2 channels 

Testing another brand's modeler (Headrush) and noticing no hum/hiss

 

Hum/hiss goes away when an XLR or 1/4 is not connected, but how do I stop it?

 

On the audio examples, ignore the low sounding hum, that is a lower string ringing, listen for the static in the first (newer) file.

[theElevators]

Sometimes the venue/house has bad wiring.  Try the same experiment at somebody else's house, some other location?

 

I played a show where the ground loop-like noise was out of control, no matter what I did.  We wound up adding DI boxes to left/right XLR, and changing the power source.  It helped, but the noise was still there, more loud than usual. 

[Codyh923]

This is at my house, in the same setup as a previous tracking session that had no background noise, that's what makes me think it's a problem with the Helix itself.

[PierM]

Impossible to track down a problem like that from our screen, since there are too many variables.

 

Said that, I couldn't hear any noise on the two clips using studio monitors, apart the background hum which is present on both.

[Schmalle]

On 2/18/2023 at 11:08 AM, PierM said:

[...] I couldn't hear any noise on the two clips using studio monitors, apart the background hum which is present on both.

Clip 1 has more hiss for sure - listen with headphones.

[brue58ski]

I haven't listened to the clips but if your Helix is connected to your computer with a USB cable, try unplugging that and see if any of it goes away.

[Schmalle]

On 2/20/2023 at 3:36 PM, brue58ski said:

I haven't listened to the clips but if your Helix is connected to your computer with a USB cable, try unplugging that and see if any of it goes away.

 

On 2/14/2023 at 11:13 PM, Codyh923 said:

Helix USB to computer is not connected.