Author Topic: HOW TO DEAL WITH RIG "HISS"/NOISE/HUM? (Read 4179 times)

dubista · « **on:** September 09, 2014, 06:59:56 PM »

Any recommendations/steps to pinpoint source of OR remedy rig noise is welcome in this thread. Thank you.

paul_sigua · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2014, 07:21:33 PM »

Noise can come from a lot of different things. It can be from the guitar(pickups, shoddy wiring), radio interference, cables, pedals, power supply, and the amp.

As for the pedalboard, I believe that having an isolated power supply really minimizes noise. Some pedals, especially the digital ones, don't like being daisy chained or sharing a power source which tend to add extra noise to the signal. An isolated power supply helps against those kinds of problems.

For a tube amp, having fresh tubes helps. If it's an old amp, get the filter capacitors checked as these caps tend to induce hum as they get older.

To pinpoint noise, you can start with just your guitar straight into the amp. Then slowly add pedals, cables, power supplies, etc. so you'll see which ones are noisy.

lolwat · « **Reply #2 on:** September 09, 2014, 07:30:54 PM »

Quote from: paul_sigua on September 09, 2014, 07:21:33 PM

Noise can come from a lot of different things. It can be from the guitar(pickups, shoddy wiring), radio interference, cables, pedals, power supply, and the amp.

As for the pedalboard, I believe that having an isolated power supply really minimizes noise. Some pedals, especially the digital ones, don't like being daisy chained or sharing a power source which tend to add extra noise to the signal. An isolated power supply helps against those kinds of problems.

For a tube amp, having fresh tubes helps. If it's an old amp, get the filter capacitors checked as these caps tend to induce hum as they get older.

To pinpoint noise, you can start with just your guitar straight into the amp. Then slowly add pedals, cables, power supplies, etc. so you'll see which ones are noisy.

+1 to all of these. To diagnose problems with pedals without needing to buy a brand new isolated power supply, buy all of your battery-powerable pedals their respective batteries, and connect those that can only be powered through an adaptor to their own wall wart only - no sharing with other PSUs.

inexperience · « **Reply #3 on:** September 09, 2014, 07:34:52 PM »

Nice, you can have the cavity of your guitar shielded (by a copper/aluminum tape or shielding paint) o use your body as a shield by keeping in contact with the harware.

dubista · « **Reply #4 on:** September 09, 2014, 07:41:46 PM »

so here are what i've done so far (guitar using bridge humbucker pickup; pedals below are powered by godlyke; amp and godlyke in different sockets):

1. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP (via each patch cable) = NO NOISE

2. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP (via each main cable) = NO NOISE

3. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

4. GUITAR -> ON OR OFF DELAY PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

5. GUITAR -> OFF OVERDRIVE PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NOISE!

6. GUITAR -> OFF WAH PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

7. GUITAR -> OFF WAH PEDAL -> OFF DELAY PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NOISE!

So, sino ang saralin?

lolwat · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2014, 07:51:08 PM »

Quote from: dubista on September 09, 2014, 07:41:46 PM

so here are what i've done so far (guitar using bridge humbucker pickup; pedals below are powered by godlyke; amp and godlyke in different sockets):

1. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP (via each patch cable) = NO NOISE

2. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP (via each main cable) = NO NOISE

3. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

4. GUITAR -> ON OR OFF DELAY PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

5. GUITAR -> OFF OVERDRIVE PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NOISE!

6. GUITAR -> OFF WAH PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

7. GUITAR -> OFF WAH PEDAL -> OFF DELAY PEDAL = NOISE!

So, sino ang saralin?

What particular brand/s and models are the overdrive and wah pedals?

analog.matt · « **Reply #6 on:** September 09, 2014, 08:43:41 PM »

alam ko may pantanggal ng 60 cycle hum.

you just have to add it to your chain before it enters the amp. i just can't remember the name.

lolwat · « **Reply #7 on:** September 09, 2014, 08:58:55 PM »

EHX Hum Debugger I think. http://www.ehx.com/products/hum-debugger

I think a more thorough inspection of the signal chain would help the OP determine the cause of the noise.

rapunzalan · « **Reply #8 on:** September 09, 2014, 09:08:19 PM »

Quote from: dubista on September 09, 2014, 07:41:46 PM

so here are what i've done so far (guitar using bridge humbucker pickup; pedals below are powered by godlyke; amp and godlyke in different sockets):

1. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP (via each patch cable) = NO NOISE

2. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP (via each main cable) = NO NOISE

3. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

4. GUITAR -> ON OR OFF DELAY PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

5. GUITAR -> OFF OVERDRIVE PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NOISE!

6. GUITAR -> OFF WAH PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

7. GUITAR -> OFF WAH PEDAL -> OFF DELAY PEDAL = NOISE!

So, sino ang saralin?

in no. 7 is -> Distorted tube amp? Need also brands of your pedals. Do you have ACA powered pedals? like vintage boss stuff?

dubista · « **Reply #9 on:** September 09, 2014, 09:14:41 PM »

crybaby classic wah
hbe powerscreamer
mooer echolizer
blackstar ht5r

rapunzalan · « **Reply #10 on:** September 09, 2014, 09:45:15 PM »

Quote from: dubista on September 09, 2014, 09:14:41 PM

crybaby classic wah
hbe powerscreamer
mooer echolizer
blackstar ht5r

Ask lang bro, have you checked the daisy chains per line?

dubista · « **Reply #11 on:** September 09, 2014, 09:46:55 PM »

Quote from: dubista on September 09, 2014, 07:41:46 PM

so here are what i've done so far (guitar using bridge humbucker pickup; pedals below are powered by godlyke; amp and godlyke in different sockets):

1. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP (via each patch cable) = NO NOISE

2. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP (via each main cable) = NO NOISE

3. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

4. GUITAR -> ON OR OFF DELAY PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

5. GUITAR -> OFF OVERDRIVE PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NOISE!

6. GUITAR -> OFF WAH PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

7. GUITAR -> OFF WAH PEDAL -> OFF DELAY PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NOISE!

So, sino ang saralin?

rapunzalan · « **Reply #12 on:** September 09, 2014, 09:55:01 PM »

Quote from: dubista on September 09, 2014, 09:46:55 PM

hi bro, the daisy chains

1.)(Godlyke->DC wire 1->pedal-> amp=?)
2.)(Godlyke->DC wire 2->same pedal-> amp=?)
3.)(Godlyke->DC wire 3->same pedal-> amp=?)
4.)(Godlyke->DC wire 4->same pedal-> amp=?)

dubista · « **Reply #13 on:** September 09, 2014, 09:58:38 PM »

tried each daisy chain too. the godlyke is actually brand new. just got it awhile ago from the mail. i thought my 1 spot was the problem.

lolwat · « **Reply #14 on:** September 09, 2014, 10:01:49 PM »

Try switching around the patch cables with only two pedals at a time? It seems all of your pedals are true bypass (with the mooer being a possible exception) so it might be the links connecting the pedals.

rapunzalan · « **Reply #15 on:** September 09, 2014, 10:10:25 PM »

Quote from: dubista on September 09, 2014, 09:58:38 PM

tried each daisy chain too. the godlyke is actually brand new. just got it awhile ago from the mail. i thought my 1 spot was the problem.

Oh...I see, is your arrangement like this :

Godlyke wall wart--------->DC1---------->DC2------->DC3----->DC4
Power Power Power
Guitar----------------------->Wah---------->OD--------->Echo-------?--------->Amp

1.)Does your DC1 (First DC out nearest to the power supply) power your wah?
2.)How many "DC out" in the daisy chain do you have?

rapunzalan · « **Reply #16 on:** September 09, 2014, 10:11:18 PM »

Quote from: lolwat on September 09, 2014, 10:01:49 PM

Try switching around the patch cables with only two pedals at a time? It seems all of your pedals are true bypass (with the mooer being a possible exception) so it might be the links connecting the pedals.

Mooer is TBP also

dubista · « **Reply #17 on:** September 09, 2014, 10:38:57 PM »

Quote from: rapunzalan on September 09, 2014, 10:10:25 PM

Oh...I see, is your arrangement like this :

Godlyke wall wart--------->DC1---------->DC2------->DC3----->DC4
Power Power Power
Guitar----------------------->Wah---------->OD--------->Echo-------?--------->Amp

1.)Does your DC1 (First DC out nearest to the power supply) power your wah?
2.)How many "DC out" in the daisy chain do you have?

Yes, dc 1 powers the wah. There are 5.

rapunzalan · « **Reply #18 on:** September 09, 2014, 10:52:36 PM »

Quote from: dubista on September 09, 2014, 10:38:57 PM

Try lang bro if :

1.)
DC5<-----DC4<----DC3<----------DC2<-------DC1<------Godlyke wall wart<-------220v
Power Power Power
Guitar----------------------->Wah---------->OD--------->Echo-------?--------->Amp

2.)
DC5<-----------DC4<---------DC3<----------DC2<-------DC1<------Godlyke wall wart<-------220v
Power Power Power
Guitar----------------------->Wah---------->OD--------->Echo----------------->Amp

3.)
DC5<-----------DC4<---------DC3<----------DC2<-------DC1<------Godlyke wall wart<-------220v
Power Power Power
Guitar----------------------->Wah-------------------------->OD------------------------->Echo----------------->Amp

Check also the open ended DC chains, baka tumatama sa metal. Try to cover with electric tape

Hope mag work

paul_sigua · « **Reply #19 on:** September 09, 2014, 11:36:34 PM »

What kind of noise are you hearing? Hiss or hum? Is it loud?
Also, what are your patch cables? Are you using the plastic molded ones?

ryechua · « **Reply #20 on:** September 10, 2014, 11:08:06 AM »

Quote from: dubista on September 09, 2014, 07:41:46 PM

so here are what i've done so far (guitar using bridge humbucker pickup; pedals below are powered by godlyke; amp and godlyke in different sockets):

1. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP (via each patch cable) = NO NOISE

2. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP (via each main cable) = NO NOISE

3. GUITAR -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

4. GUITAR -> ON OR OFF DELAY PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

5. GUITAR -> OFF OVERDRIVE PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NOISE!

6. GUITAR -> OFF WAH PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NO NOISE

7. GUITAR -> OFF WAH PEDAL -> OFF DELAY PEDAL -> DISTORTED TUBE AMP = NOISE!

So, sino ang saralin?

how did you connect the pedals? everything in a single chain or 4 cable method (using effects loop)? If you are using the effects loop then you need to have a separate power supply for the pedals connected to the effects loop or else you will have a ground loop.

curiousdcat · « **Reply #21 on:** September 10, 2014, 11:17:35 AM »

Quote from: ryechua on September 10, 2014, 11:08:06 AM

how did you connect the pedals? everything in a single chain or 4 cable method (using effects loop)? If you are using the effects loop then you need to have a separate power supply for the pedals connected to the effects loop or else you will have a ground loop.

Will using an isolated PSU (i.e. PP2+) on an entire pedalboard wired for the 4 cable connection still create ground loop when using the effects loop?

Ralph_Petrucci · « **Reply #22 on:** September 10, 2014, 11:22:15 AM »

Quote from: paul_sigua on September 09, 2014, 07:21:33 PM

Noise can come from a lot of different things. It can be from the guitar(pickups, shoddy wiring), radio interference, cables, pedals, power supply, and the amp.

As for the pedalboard, I believe that having an isolated power supply really minimizes noise. Some pedals, especially the digital ones, don't like being daisy chained or sharing a power source which tend to add extra noise to the signal. An isolated power supply helps against those kinds of problems.

For a tube amp, having fresh tubes helps. If it's an old amp, get the filter capacitors checked as these caps tend to induce hum as they get older.

To pinpoint noise, you can start with just your guitar straight into the amp. Then slowly add pedals, cables, power supplies, etc. so you'll see which ones are noisy.

+1 on everything he said.

looking at the situations you've posted, you might want to check your patch cables. low quality patch cables tend to be really noisy.

ryechua · « **Reply #23 on:** September 10, 2014, 11:39:44 AM »

Quote from: curiousdcat on September 10, 2014, 11:17:35 AM

Will using an isolated PSU (i.e. PP2+) on an entire pedalboard wired for the 4 cable connection still create ground loop when using the effects loop?

nope. that's one of the purpose of an isolated PSU - to avoid ground loops.

curiousdcat · « **Reply #24 on:** September 10, 2014, 12:58:52 PM »

Quote from: ryechua on September 10, 2014, 11:39:44 AM

nope. that's one of the purpose of an isolated PSU - to avoid ground loops.

Thanks!

BTT:

Am just wondering why the OD and wah are not considered by most as the source of the noise as described by TS.

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Author Topic: HOW TO DEAL WITH RIG "HISS"/NOISE/HUM? (Read 4179 times)