Noise Reduction Pedals

[raptor48]

Hey,
I'm trying to find the best budget Noise Reduction pedal. I'm looking at a range between 70 - 150 AUD. Not sure how much that is in US, should be about 50 - 100 USD.

I'll be using a Randall RG75, which has a fair bit of hiss/noise. I'm currently looking at the Rocktron Hush, and the Boss NS-2.


Any help would be great.


Cheers,
Stan

[post.aux.fader]

Originally Posted by raptor48

Hey,
I'm trying to find the best budget Noise Reduction pedal. I'm looking at a range between 70 - 150 AUD. Not sure how much that is in US, should be about 50 - 100 USD.

I'll be using a Randall RG75, which has a fair bit of hiss/noise. I'm currently looking at the Rocktron Hush, and the Boss NS-2.


Any help would be great.


Cheers,
Stan

Try turning your gain down.

[TelePaul]

Originally Posted by post.aux.fader

Try turning your gain down.

Thats silly, we all know thats not really a viable answer. He eitehr needs a gate or a full on noise suppressor. Are you trying to run the gain high but keep the volume low (like running a tube amp in your bedroom?) or are you looking to stop feedback and buzz associated mostly with single coils? If its the latter, an ISP decimator, Hush or NS 2 will all do the job but they'll all colour the tone somewhat. I use the NS 2 to cater for my tele and about 8 pedals in my chain. I like it because you can take a line out for your other pedals and encorporate them in a small effects loop of their own, return to the NS 2 and carry on with delay and chorus (which should not be part of the loop; in fact try using them in your amps effects loop, because they shouldnt need to go through the pre-amp anyways, being time modulation effects). You set your threshold and decay, and away you go. I coudn't believe the effect it ahd on my set up....if i went passed a volume of 3 with the gain high on my marshall, the soudnw ould be attrocious, just because of hum and overtones. This cleared it right up.

[raptor48]

Turning the gain down won't be an option but thanks...

Tele: Thanks for that info mate, I have gain high (8-9) with the channel volume low, and the master higher. I'll look into it and probably make a purchase soon. Thanks again.

[TelePaul]

cool, but a si said, expect a little tone frain, i run a booster right before my NS 2 and its grand.

[raptor48]

TelePaul: About how much do decent booster cost? Do you recommend any particular brand/model? The only booster pedal I know of is the Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster; would this do?

[TelePaul]

Does the Seymour Duncan Boost the pickups or the signal itself? If you have a noise suppressor, it may just boost the pickups only to have the Noise Suppressor undo this! I use a Boss SD 1 in the chain...I use it for almost everything. Its an overdrive, but to use it as a booster, you set the gain to zero and the level to maximum...it works really well to give clean settings a bit of a kick, and if you attach it before your distortion, you get pretty amazing drive. Heres a link that includes an audio demo

http://www.bossus.com/index.asp?pg=1&tmp=116

Other alternatives would be the Boss GE 7...this is a graphic eq which has an independent volume boost of + 15 Db. Its also on that Boss page. Those are just ideas, and both those pedals work as excellent overdrive and eq repsectively. SD 1 you're talking £50 GBP. the GE 7, maybe £80 GBP, those these are rough estimates.

[raptor48]

Oh ok. Thanks a lot for that, I'll have a look at them.


Cheers

[TelePaul]

im sure other people wud have more opinions, so wait for some more input if ya cant decide.

[inmyheartx]

I don't know if you're only interested in pedals.. but in my rack I have a Hush C noise suppressor combined with a dbx 266/XL Compressor / Gate and it's pretty flawless. I get no feedback using the Hush C (with proper settings so it doesn't completely cut out my tone), and I use the Gate to cut out any speaker noise along with the compressor to cut a little noise but keep my sustain. It's definitely the more expensive route, rather than buying a pedal, but I love it so much more. I used to have the Boss NS-2, and it worked pretty good.. But I just needed more of a result. =] Hope this helped, this is like the first time i've contributed to someone else's post.. I'm usually the one asking all the questions, because I don't know a lot about recording yet, hah.

Take care,
Adam.

[raptor48]

Thanks for the reply Adam. Yeah, I'd love to start getting some rack gear, but I don't think I'm at that level yet, so I'll just stick to the pedal for now. Thanks anyway.


Cheers,
Stan

[Hoyton]

If you ever consider going rack, I bought an awesome single channel Rocktron Hush IIBX for like 30 bucks. It's great for live and even viable in the studio. I just wish I was able to find the one with more channels.

I've toured with TONS of guys who swear by the BOSS NS-2 and for just reason. Not sure how much they are, but I'm sure you can ebay a used one for your price range. The great thing about BOSS is those things will take a bullet and still work great for years.

Good luck in your search.

edit: just noticed inmyheartx's awesome taste in musical gear. Dont forget, rack gear's been around forever, and the old stuff is still great, so it doesnt have to be much more expensive. Although, the rack case I bought cost about half as much as the units I stuffed into it.

Another path you can take is digital. Pick up a used ZOOM GFX-707. It has a function called "ZNR" (zoom noise reduction i can only assume) which works pretty well. Also, you get the bonus of having tons of other digital effects.

[TelePaul]

Originally Posted by Hoyton

If you ever consider going rack, I bought an awesome single channel Rocktron Hush IIBX for like 30 bucks. It's great for live and even viable in the studio. I just wish I was able to find the one with more channels.

I've toured with TONS of guys who swear by the BOSS NS-2 and for just reason. Not sure how much they are, but I'm sure you can ebay a used one for your price range. The great thing about BOSS is those things will take a bullet and still work great for years.

Good luck in your search.

edit: just noticed inmyheartx's awesome taste in musical gear. Dont forget, rack gear's been around forever, and the old stuff is still great, so it doesnt have to be much more expensive. Although, the rack case I bought cost about half as much as the units I stuffed into it.

Another path you can take is digital. Pick up a used ZOOM GFX-707. It has a function called "ZNR" (zoom noise reduction i can only assume) which works pretty well. Also, you get the bonus of having tons of other digital effects.

NS 2 is 100 euro, so like 125 bucks but probably less because US guitar shops rock when it comes to prices. Guys how exactly do rack effects work? do they affect the signal en route to PA? I have a rack compressor but I cant think of how id use it woth my guitar (i use it as an insert on my sound card)

[raptor48]

Thanks for the reply Hoyton. I've looked at harmony central, and the review for the Boss NS-2 is pretty good, and I still don't think I'm at the stage where I need rack effects etc, but I'd love to, lol.
I've never considered going digital, I've used a few digital effects before, and didn't like the sound of them, so I think I'll just stick to the pedals (and rack later on ). Looks like I'll be shopping around for a BOSS NS-2.

BTW: I'm in Australia, and the prices here are nowhere near as good as the prices in the US


Cheers,
Stan

[inmyheartx]

Originally Posted by Hoyton

edit: just noticed inmyheartx's awesome taste in musical gear. Dont forget, rack gear's been around forever, and the old stuff is still great, so it doesnt have to be much more expensive. Although, the rack case I bought cost about half as much as the units I stuffed into it.

Haha thanks dude. =] I have an Old Hush C II Noise Supressor, things been toured with and banged a lot but still works awesome. It's in an 8-space rack (which I actually traded my NS-2 for, hahah). True that about price man. You can find rack stuff for so cheap.

Originally Posted by TelePaul

NS 2 is 100 euro, so like 125 bucks but probably less because US guitar shops rock when it comes to prices. Guys how exactly do rack effects work? do they affect the signal en route to PA? I have a rack compressor but I cant think of how id use it woth my guitar (i use it as an insert on my sound card)

I bought my NS-2 for $100.00. And with rack effects, there is a lot of different ways to do it. I run mine like this:

Guitar Output > Tuner Input
Tuner Output > Hush C Input
Hush C Output > Amp Input

Then I run my Compressor output / input into my effects send / return on my head.

With this, I can just plug my guitar into my tuner, and am able to play and tune at the same time, with all my other effects working. It's gnarly man. I could never go to pedals haha.

Take care,
Adam.

[TelePaul]

Originally Posted by inmyheartx

Haha thanks dude. =] I have an Old Hush C II Noise Supressor, things been toured with and banged a lot but still works awesome. It's in an 8-space rack (which I actually traded my NS-2 for, hahah). True that about price man. You can find rack stuff for so cheap.



I bought my NS-2 for $100.00. And with rack effects, there is a lot of different ways to do it. I run mine like this:

Guitar Output > Tuner Input
Tuner Output > Hush C Input
Hush C Output > Amp Input

Then I run my Compressor output / input into my effects send / return on my head.

With this, I can just plug my guitar into my tuner, and am able to play and tune at the same time, with all my other effects working. It's gnarly man. I could never go to pedals haha.

Take care,
Adam.

Thats cool man, i thought you ahd to encorporate a lot more switching and cabling when it came to a rack, but it looks just as easy as a pedal chain. Thanks a million for the help, i'll look into that.

[inmyheartx]

Originally Posted by TelePaul

Thats cool man, i thought you ahd to encorporate a lot more switching and cabling when it came to a rack, but it looks just as easy as a pedal chain. Thanks a million for the help, i'll look into that.

Naw man it's just like pedals. Nothing but inputs / outputs. Sometimes it can get confusing and get a little lost, but you just have to go over what you're doing and what not. Just try a different chain though, like which ones first and what not, see which you like the best. =]

Take care
Adam.

[GreenDank]

Hush, The Pedal. If it works for Michael Ammott of Arch Enemy it'll work for you. Waddaya know...I use it too!

[Hoyton]

Yeah, rack effects are very simple. No need to bend over and tweak settings since I have my rack case placed on top of my head. I run all effects through the effects loop that's built into the amp (FX Loop > Korg > Rocktron > Return. A grand total of 3 cables). The mesa's got a killer array of effects loop settings, like mix volume and overall volume, so it's pretty cool to use it.

I've only got a 2 slot rack space with said noise reducer and a Korg Tuner (model number escapes me right now, t-1000 or something?). I like these in my effects loop since I wont be turning them off and on, which i can do by the amp's footswitch but a simple movement from my foot.

Other effects, like a flanger or something I use in a pedal since I do a lot more switching and combinations. But that's just me. Again, you can get some nice digital rack units with outboard floor control units, but I'd need to try them out before buying or recommending any.

Finally, on the comment about buying pedals and going rack later, that was my plan too, but I'm so glad I never went pedal in the first place, cause:

1. To tell you the truth, you would be hard pressed to find any real difference.
2. It makes your setup look SO much cooler

Good luck in your decision. It all boils down to preference and cost!

[inmyheartx]

Originally Posted by Hoyton

Yeah, rack effects are very simple. No need to bend over and tweak settings since I have my rack case placed on top of my head. I run all effects through the effects loop that's built into the amp (FX Loop > Korg > Rocktron > Return. A grand total of 3 cables). The mesa's got a killer array of effects loop settings, like mix volume and overall volume, so it's pretty cool to use it.

I've only got a 2 slot rack space with said noise reducer and a Korg Tuner (model number escapes me right now, t-1000 or something?). I like these in my effects loop since I wont be turning them off and on, which i can do by the amp's footswitch but a simple movement from my foot.

Other effects, like a flanger or something I use in a pedal since I do a lot more switching and combinations. But that's just me. Again, you can get some nice digital rack units with outboard floor control units, but I'd need to try them out before buying or recommending any.

Finally, on the comment about buying pedals and going rack later, that was my plan too, but I'm so glad I never went pedal in the first place, cause:

1. To tell you the truth, you would be hard pressed to find any real difference.
2. It makes your setup look SO much cooler

Good luck in your decision. It all boils down to preference and cost!

Haha hella does make your set up look bad ass. I think you are talking about the DTR-1000 tuner? That's the Korg one I have in my rack. Thing is gnarly. My rack is this:

Furman PL8 II Power Conditioner
Korg DTR-1000 Tuner
dbx 266XL Compressor / Gate
Hush C II Noise Supressor
2 Space Rack Drawer

It's gnarly but heavy as shit to haul around to shows, haha. =]

Take care,
Adam.

[Hoyton]

Pretty sick setup man.

Yeah that's the exact tuner I'm using. I knew it had a "1000" in it somewhere!

Like I said, I've only got the 2 units in the rack, but I've got a few effects pedals I like to hook up every now and then. Don't need distortion tho, my boogie helps me out with that .

[raptor48]

Well you's (Hoyton, inmyheartx) have practically converted me into getting a rack instead, lol. Only thing is. WHAT is the big difference in them? Apart from the fact that one's a pedal and one fits in a rack, and that one is more expensive than the other? Is there any particular reason for it being so much more expensive

Also, where do I find rack effects on ebay!?!!! What's it under? I can't seem to find it.


Cheers,
Stan

[inmyheartx]

Originally Posted by raptor48

Well you's (Hoyton, inmyheartx) have practically converted me into getting a rack instead, lol. Only thing is. WHAT is the big difference in them? Apart from the fact that one's a pedal and one fits in a rack, and that one is more expensive than the other? Is there any particular reason for it being so much more expensive

Also, where do I find rack effects on ebay!?!!! What's it under? I can't seem to find it.


Cheers,
Stan

The main difference is that rack effects can have a lot more settings since they are a lot bigger than pedals, and they seem more durable to me. To search on ebay i'd say just type in like "Rack mount" or something. For example, "Rack mount noise suppressor" or something. But you should probably look on like musiciansfriend at all the stuff, then just search the names on ebay.

Take care,
Adam.