Getting rid of low guitar noises

[amt7565]

Folks,
I don't use a limiter. I use the compressor on my line6 POD. I use distortion on my guitar and most of the time I have breathing noises from the guitar.....most of it is noises from the pick striking the strings.....and when I pinch the strings for harmonics there are some unclean noises which are produced. Will a Limiter help here? Any other adivse?

Thanks in advance for any help

[TexRoadkill]

Try using a higher threshold on the compressor so it isn't grabbing every single scratch and pick that you do. A limiter will just make it worse. You may need to turn down the gain on your distortion a bit also since distortion is also compresses.

The bottom line- Too much compression and your quiet little scratches are as loud as your big false harmonic squeels.

[amt7565]

Thanks Tex,
I have been postponing buying a real compressor for a long time. The compressor on my POD has very limited functions.

Thanks for the advise. It's very valuable.

[TexRoadkill]

How far are you turning the effect knob on the POD? As I recall there are only 4 ratios and I rarely go past the second one (around 9-12 oclock) or it does get pretty nasty.

[amt7565]

Texas,
The compressor I use only a for a few tracks. because I can't use the PODs compressor with any other settings on the POD. And when I use the compressor I have had it full and 1/2 way up. So there may be my problem.

I am not sure if software will let me use the PODs compressor with Flanger etc.

Thanks!

[Skysaw]

POD also has a built-in noise gate you might want to switch on.

[amt7565]

Yes I do have the "noise gate" ON!

[Fret]

The compressor control from the POD is pretty bad but if you use Sound Drive or Patch Wizard you can get it to do what you want it to. Including turn it on while using other effects.

[amt7565]

I just loaded the "sounddiver" software. But it does not give me the capabality to play compressor and other effects at the same time. The POD manual does not mention this as possible either.

Thanks.

[shackrock]

getting rid of "low" guitar noises? try EQ, cut it where it should be cut if needed.

i commonly cut below 70-100, to make room for my bass stuff. i'm sure plenty of people will not advise to do that though. ha.

[pipelineaudio]

amt7565 the problems you are describing sound exactly LIKE compression!

sounds like there is too much going on already...if you see the terms " pumping " or " breathing " you should immediately at least think about dynamic range

remember, the " drive" , " channel volume " and " output level " knobs are ALL also compression knobs...especially " drive "

[amt7565]

Thanks folks. Good advise.
Yes I had been using the "Drive" on the POD past the 12 O'clock position. My Guitar pickups(using an Ibanez 320) are not that responsive so I was using lots of distortion. I am learning better now. So hopefully things will start to sound better now.

Thanks again.