Noise gate/noise suppressor?
Tatosh Guitar
Posts: 818
Ever since I started playing louder and began stacking more pedals I have noticed a lot of extra noise on my set up. It was manageable to a point but since I added the tube screamer it's become a big issue. I know, this is a story as old as rock and roll, but considering I spent the better part of my playing years with a guitar straight unto an amp, it wasn't something I had ever faced before.
I have been doing some research on noise gates and noise suppressors, which seem to be as necessary on extreme metal bands as EMG pickups or Mesa amps. But my approach/ interest is basically for Dino rock, with Schenker/Moore as my lead focus for solo playing and Priest/Maiden type of rhythm sounds. Helloween type power metal is the absolute top of gain I use. Ever since I got the Les Paul, I can't stop playing slow mellow melodic leads and the awesome sustain is a big part of that. I read noise gates cut a lot of sustain, which is a definite deal breaker for me.
So how do you guys deal with a noisy set up? do you have excellent muting technique? work wonders on the volume control/pedal? or do you actually use a noise supressor to keep things in control? Any opinion is welcome, of course.
I have been doing some research on noise gates and noise suppressors, which seem to be as necessary on extreme metal bands as EMG pickups or Mesa amps. But my approach/ interest is basically for Dino rock, with Schenker/Moore as my lead focus for solo playing and Priest/Maiden type of rhythm sounds. Helloween type power metal is the absolute top of gain I use. Ever since I got the Les Paul, I can't stop playing slow mellow melodic leads and the awesome sustain is a big part of that. I read noise gates cut a lot of sustain, which is a definite deal breaker for me.
So how do you guys deal with a noisy set up? do you have excellent muting technique? work wonders on the volume control/pedal? or do you actually use a noise supressor to keep things in control? Any opinion is welcome, of course.
Comments
0. You might have to work on your muting technique, but you already seem to be aware of the concept, so I won't go into it in more detail here.
1. Try to identify where the noise comes from, and speak with people who have experience with that particular piece of gear.
2. Make sure that you are using high quality, shielded cables. If you should have some weird gear that benefits from balanced cables (my G-System does), that might be something to consider.
3. Properly shield the guitar's electronic.
4. If the amp, or any of the pedals you are using are old, they might benefit from having their capacitors replaced.
1.I am pretty sure the noise is coming from all the pedal stacking, specially the tube screamer. I am using it as a gain boost for soloing, basically.
2. Might have to look into the cable thing. Never really bothered with that since, as I said, I was mostly a guitar into amp type of guy for the longest time.
3. All my guitars get the same result. I know my strat isn't shielded because I built it and I never did that, but my very original Gibsons and Charvels should be shielded and they still make noise. I will check anyway and look into shielding my strat.
4.My amp was built in the 90's, it's one of the early Fender Hot Rod Deluxes, still built in California before they moved production to Mexico, so I am pretty sure the caps are original. Most pedals are newer, except for my crybaby and my boss chorus which look ancient. I will have to look into that.
Thanks for your comments.
The only noise gate I've tried that actually works, is the ISP Decimator. I hate the NS2 with a vengeance.
If your effectsloop plays nice with pedals, try a Decimator there. It'll keep your rig quiet but won't affect played notes at all.
I ran my Decimator that way for years until I decided a little hiss was worth not having the hassle of running additional power and cables.
As I said, I have come to realize that the tube screamer is the main offender. I will play with it as well to see if I can figure out a less noisy setting.
I read an interview with Yngwie 20 years ago where he said he only used it live cause even if it affected his tone a little bit, it was worth it to avoid all the noise on stage. In the studio he never bothered with it. I never cared much for his tone after 1988 anyway...