Why is everything so noisy?

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benherron.rrr

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I noticed the other day when I was getting some guitar down that my setup is really noisy!!!

Using a Marshall DFX50 as my recording amp, Gibson LP as my recording guitar, and a couple of pedals and cheapo Multi FX, which Im running through the Fx send and return not direct through the guitars line.

Its just no noisy! I figured out that my Gibson, poor old girl, was producing a little noise so I took the pannels off and had a go cleaning some of the connections (I aint good with electronics so I leave well alone)- Havn't had time to try it out to see if anything worked. Then I had a look at my Fx chain, I have a Boss acoustic simulator, Boss mega distortion and a digitech RP80, Belive it or not I found the RP80 have no effect on the buzzing but the two anologue pedals introduced alot of unwanted noise when they are switched on.

I noticed how bad it was when I attempted to re-amp a MIDI bass guitar part through the amp to try and get a bit more thickness, I could'nt use anything it was so ridden with hiss, in this secario even with the clean channel, usually the clean channel, has little exess noise. But the dirty is awfull, I was running the amp through an extension cable, Moved the amp directly to an unused mains plug which made no difference!

Also have checked the cables they seem ok, alot of them are brand new (well 3 months old and havn't moved)

Could all the cables be picking up static, could it be a problem that the amp is about 5ft away from my recording setup?


Whats wrong with my gear :(
 
What kind of noise are you experiencing? Hiss? Hum? Buzz? Apocalypse?
 
Are you powering your Boss pedals with wall warts? That can induce noise in the pedals. For recording run them off batteries instead.

I don't know if that will cure the problem but it will help a little.
 
Cheap - - - - - - - Quiet


Pick one......


Last resort, try a Boss NS2 noise suppressor pedal. If you set it right it will only open the gate when you play, otherwise it will shut down and noise is gone. It won't make your amp quiet though, if the amp is noisy to begin with.
 
Way better than any noise 'gate' is a Hush. The ISP is supposed to be even better, and designed by the guy was was 'Hush', but I have no 1st hand knowledge of this. I do have three pedal boards, and they all have a Hush on them. They even clean up most of my single coil buzz.
 
Do you still get the hiss when you run the guitar straight into the amp without the tone killing boss pedals or effects?
 
I think you're saying you get the noise even when your guitar isn't plugged, in so this may not be relavent, but in my setup if my guitar is anywhere near my computer/monitor it picks up noise, so I always hit record and then step away 6 or 8 feet.
 
Do you still get the hiss when you run the guitar straight into the amp without the tone killing boss pedals or effects?

Yeah, I do, although not as much. if no effects are plugged in the clean channel is fine, The dirty channel is where the hiss resides. With the effects plugged in it makes no difference. My acoustic simulator is unusable with the hiss that it introdurces, which is odd since it was barand new. the mega distortion creates a little hiss, the rp 80 makes little to no difference although I really only use it as a tuner, or as a gate if I need to. I have a feeling its got something to do with the cone on the amp.

I think you're saying you get the noise even when your guitar isn't plugged, in so this may not be relavent, but in my setup if my guitar is anywhere near my computer/monitor it picks up noise, so I always hit record and then step away 6 or 8 feet.

The amp is fine if nothing is plugged in, but has a bit of noise introduced when a pedal is activated.

Would you be able to help me more if I upload a few samples of audio when doing different things? If so I can do that on monday, if not definatly tuesday.
 
If the effects enhance the noise, only put them in the guitar chain when you need them for that spot on the recording. I am assuming you aren't running an acoustic simulator into your dirty channel at all times? :)
 
I suppose so, Ive got a bit of free time tomo afternoon so im going to have a little mess around, at least try and isolate exactly where everything is going wrong. any ideas, appart from the obvious cheacking cables?
 
I dont think hiss or "radio static" noise is going to be a cable problem. Only on the dirty channel tells me at least part of what you're hearing is simply the inevitable side effect of having extra gain. Dirty means a lot of gain, especially with those MG amps. If it's not 60hz hum, like you get when you stand next to your computer monitor or turn on the flourescent lights, then it's probably not coming from the guitar pickups. Pedals usually add gain if they are overdrive or distortion or boosting in any way, and that will go into the amp and get gained and create louder hiss.

By the way, the NS2 is not a noise "gate" it is a noise "suppressor" which I believe is similar to what the Hush does, although the Hush may do a better job of it. If the claims made in the sales hype are true then it might be better than the NS2, but I'm positive it is a similar effect. The original NS1 was a true "gate" and I found it to be unusable. I cannot have my sustain and fade cut off like the NS1 does. NS2 is a major improvement. I must say, though, I am surprised at how well the Rocktron stuff works, for the money they are usually a good buy and have very good sound.
 
I dont think hiss or "radio static" noise is going to be a cable problem. Only on the dirty channel tells me at least part of what you're hearing is simply the inevitable side effect of having extra gain. Dirty means a lot of gain, especially with those MG amps. If it's not 60hz hum, like you get when you stand next to your computer monitor or turn on the flourescent lights, then it's probably not coming from the guitar pickups. Pedals usually add gain if they are overdrive or distortion or boosting in any way, and that will go into the amp and get gained and create louder hiss.

By the way, the NS2 is not a noise "gate" it is a noise "suppressor" which I believe is similar to what the Hush does, although the Hush may do a better job of it. If the claims made in the sales hype are true then it might be better than the NS2, but I'm positive it is a similar effect. The original NS1 was a true "gate" and I found it to be unusable. I cannot have my sustain and fade cut off like the NS1 does. NS2 is a major improvement. I must say, though, I am surprised at how well the Rocktron stuff works, for the money they are usually a good buy and have very good sound.

I know what you saying, And I realise that the nature of what the amp is doing is natrally creating noise, I expect it. But the ratio is really overwhelming, so much so that I can not achive any usable recording. The mic just picks up to much, its not too bad if Im just laying down sme chords but doing anything like solos is just too loud
 
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