JP + high gain amp = noise gate

[MusicManJP6]

I have a JP and a XXX 212 combo and the combination seems to induce some unwanted noise due to the hot pups in the JP. I practice close to the amp at home AND at band practice due to space restrictions at both places, and this does not make matters any better, but I have no choice.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a noise reduction/gate pedal to help with this problem?

Many thanks.....

 

[King Hazel!]

You may want to run either a Boss NS-2 or a Rocktron Hush pedal. Either one should help out a great deal!

 

[ivanmihaljevic]

You could try reducing the amount of gain.
I don't know how much gain you use, but try with less.
It might be a little harder to play because the sound is less compressed, but it's worth it because the guitar sounds much more natural and there's less noise and more balls!
If that doesn't help, I think the above mentioned Hush should be an acceptable solution.

 

[roburado]

I use pretty high gain with my Mesa. Maybe less than you, but I don't think it's your JP. Got any effects between the guitar and amp?

 

[roburado]

Also do you have other noise inducing things in the room? Computer CRT? TV? Fluorescent lighting? The JP should not behave that way. I really think there is another source of noise.

 

[Jason5150]

I occasionally had the same issue at small venues (when playing through my L** P***). When I have the Ernie Ball Volume between me and the amp though......no more feedback! (it takes the very edge off the sound not quite enough to change your tone and just enough keep the feeding back under control - awesome).

I am still a few months away from receiving my JP BFR so I cannot compare atm.

 

[ivanmihaljevic]

Moving away from the amp might also solve your problem, but you say there's not enough space. Try moving away when the other guys aren't in the room, so at least you'll know if that is the source of the problem or not.

 

[MusicManJP6]

Yeah, I know if I move back that the noise dissipates, but 90% of the time I am right up on my amp. The noise is not feedback, but a buzz. I can plug STRAIGHT into my amp, and it still makes the buzz sound. Whether at practice or at home it makes the noise.

I can turn the gain down, but I happen to like the balls created by the gain. I only have the gain up half way anyway. I agree that the JP should not be causing the problem, but apparently it is when combined with the XXX... I can turn the guitar volume down about 1/5 of the way, and the noise goes away...

 

[ivanmihaljevic]

Well, if you're right up on the amp, that explains everything. Any guitar will buzz if you're standing too close to the amp. I wouldn't worry too much about that though, because in a gig situation you'll probably have more space and in the rehearsals you can just turn down the volume knob on your guitar between the songs.

Still, if it bothers you too much, I think putting a noise gate before the amp and setting the treshold very low (like -70 dB or so, experiment, find the lowest treshold that kills the buzz, but doesn't kill sustain) should take care of the problem.

 

[MusicManJP6]

Yeah, I was hoping this thread would help me narrow down my choices for which gate/suppression pedal to get since the buzz is the nature of the beast when standing too close. I'm not into the rack gear so it has to be a pedal. So far the NS-2 and MXR smart gate are the top contenders. The HUSH pedal cut my tone horribly, so that one is not on the list (I tried it long ago).

Thanks for the help...

 

[beej]

I've heard good things about the ISP Decimator as well. I've never used a noise gate, though.

 

[fbecir]

What kind of cable do you use ? A bad cable can ruin your sound ...
There is always a noise when you have a high gain setting. Normally when you play, the "good" noise is far louder than the "bad" noise. So it is a good habit to switch off the high gain between song and / or switch off the guitar volume.
I don't like the noise gates ... so sorry I have no good advice for such pedal.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I've swapped out several cables to make sure it wasn't a bad cable that was causing the noise. They all produced the same noise. I am 'trying out' a noise gate (NF-1 by boss) in a few minutes thanks to a local store that let me borrow one to see if it fixes what is ailing me. Hope that does something for it without killing everything...

More to come shortly.....

 

[MusicManJP6]

OK so the noise gate does what it is supposed to, but it may not be sensitive enough. It cuts the note off a little too early. OR maybe noise SUPPRESSION is what I need and not a gate.

Here is a twist on the case of noisy guitar vs amp. The amp seems to have some noise even when the guitar is turned all the way down. I wonder if I should try one of those wall plug hum eliminators?

 

[greenwizard]

if you're amp is makin noise with no guitar volume then a gate pedal isn't going to help you (unless you run it through an effects loop and ive never heard of that before.
If you do decide to get a noise gate i recommend the ns-2.

 

[andynpeters]

Is it stating the blindingly obvious to suggest that your amp might need to be checked over if it's buzzing with no signal present?

 

[greenwizard]

=)! andy's right! I have the same problem with my amp (buzzing with no signal) but my amp is crap so I expect that...

 

[MusicManJP6]

So the fact that the amp makes noise with the guitar plugged up with its volume all the way down may indicate a problem with the amp? This just keeps getting better...

 

[andynpeters]

So the fact that the amp makes noise with the guitar plugged up with its volume all the way down may indicate a problem with the amp? This just keeps getting better...

May do....does it do it everywhere??
I once lived in a flat where ALL my amps buzzed....turned out it was a duff neon sign in the shop below.
I guess you just have to check out everything

 

[SeasonOfPain]

I've heard good things about the ISP Decimator as well. I've never used a noise gate, though.

+1 on the Decimator. I have crappy ground loops in my house wiring, and the Decimator kills the buzz from that and keeps the tone of all my guitars through my Mesa amps.

Interestingly my JP picks up a lot less of this than my Axis Sport; my JP is usually my go-to guitar for low-noise.

Edit: Whoops, didn't notice that you're getting noise with the volume down. I'd check on the amp before anything else. The Decimator is still the best helper when it comes to that. I've also seen good results with the AC plug hum-killers (we have a bunch of them on the main outets at our practice space).