Reducing Interference Hum

I'm pretty sure everyone who loves their single coils has dealt with this at some point - how are you managing the interference hum caused by your recording equipment? Is there a better way of managing hum levels rather than my current method of moving as far away as possible from the desk and turning at angle X until it disappears?

I've recently switched out the noiseless pickups on my main strat as I felt it's better to have real vibey pickups with a bit of hum - for mine, the SCN's were just a bit too clinical.

I thought the hum was created by the old style CRT monitors, but it seems i'm getting plenty of it with my LED-screened laptop and small collection of recording gear.

What solutions have you guys come up with?

I was going to suggest the monitor, but guess that's not it. We got a flat screen last year and the hum stopped. Until then though, it was move away from the desk and stand at odd angles.

Fluorescent lights, poorly grounded outlets...the usual suspects?

I also had a CRT monitor which gave me a lot of hum with single coil pickups.It was so bad that I put EMGs in one of my Teles.I now have a LED-screened laptop and the hum is gone.I have to put the guitar against the screen to get any hum at all,so I think you can rule out the screen.

Is this happening when amping your guitar or going direct?

I have a Furman Power strip that is specifically for use in music/live music situations. IT works quite well. About the only time it has any issue is when the fluorescent light is on in the storage room next to my office/music room. It's worked well in numerous venues that have typically given me issues.

I know they have rack mounted units that might even be better (they're certainly more expensive). I'm sure there are other companies building similar units. I had one I had picked up at Home Depot that was supposedly specifically for home stereo stuff... I liked it, until my Bass player left it at a gig... That's when the Furman into my possession.

The noise happens either amped up or direct, so it must be a grounding issue. I'll just have to deal with it for now as it's a temporary setup in my parents furniture warehouse.

Something similar came up in an earlier thread and I mentioned that some DI's have a 'ground lift" switch. I don't know if this will slove the problem but maybe you could pick up a cheap one to try or maybe borrow one.

One common noise source is light dimmer switches ...? Just a shot in the dark (hyuk hyuk). If you have any around, try turning them off. If not, well, no help here! I'm fighting noise problems myself.

The conductive paint from Stew Mac helps quite a bit. Better than the copper tape.

The warehouse is unlit apart from a couple of floor lamps and table lamps I bought for the place - the only thing I can think to blame is the power supply itself - it has both domestic and industrial outlets. I can actually feel a light tingle when I touch my equipment (i've felt this on my gear rack before but never clued onto the fact it's a grounding issue).

Is there a way I can improve grounding without organising/paying for an electrician to resolve the problem? My parents only lease the warehouse and plan to vacate the premises in a few months time - I don't want to pay hundred of dollars if I can avoid it... but in the meantime it's an awesome place to record :smile: