Using an OD AND a clean boost/noise

[SkyhighRocks]

Any of you guys use an OD and a clean boost in front of your amp at the same time? I'm wanting to add the clean boost but even with just the OD, I get noise. The amp is a DSL100 set on the crunch channel, the OD is an SD-1. I want to add the clean boost just to add a little more punch and sparkle, not really volume. However, I get massive white noise/hiss when using both. I do have an NS-2 gate I use in the loop which does help a little but I need to turn the threshold up too much which kills any clean tone I may use. Would it work better after the drive pedals? The reason I have it in the loop is because it's always killed the loop noise.

In the loop I run an H9, GE-7 (for volume boost) and have a couple of istomps on the way to add in. Trying to figure out the best way to run all this while keeping noise to a minimum. I look at a guy like Pete Thorn's board and notice he doesn't use any gates but uses a variety of ODs and boosts....but without the noise.

 

[H3000]

I use a furman PQ-3 and clean boost it with a pedal and the PQ-3 just on its own is super noisy but I use a MXR smartgate and its fine it kills the noise but not the tone or dynamics and I use the MXR before the input on the amp . If you can then Try the MXR smartgate.
I got rid of My Boss NS 2 as soon as I got my MXR smartgate.

 

[GtarLover]

Dave Friedman builds Pete's boards...NO NOISE
You could ask in the Friedman forum and he may chime in there.

Personally, I leave gates off with my cleans tones, they definitely rob your tone if they're on.
So, any gate has to be switchable on/off.

I tried a ISP rack unit, but couldn't figure it out. I obviously have some issues, not the unit.
The idea is great...one gate for the loop and one for the front end.
Just couldn't integrate it...maybe I should call ISP

Anyway, I would ask Dave and see what he recommends.

 

[Badronald]

I run my boost pedals in the loop of the NS-2. I've done this for years and it works perfect.
I couldn't deal without it. I NEVER have to worry about noise.
My rig is dead silent.

 

[datriani]

I would pay attention to some of the basic rules of wiring such as running power and audio cables perpendicular to each other vs. parallel, using a regulated and isolated power supply (voodoo labs), giving each pedal it's own power output vs. daisy chaining, keeping your the pedals in front of your amp and in the loop of your amp separate, using quality cables (soldered over solderless cables) etc.

I had a MXR Noise clamp that worked great for reducing the noise. It's not a gate so you don't get the choppiness and you can set it up with the flip of a dip switch on the inside so that when you have the Noise clamp on, it engages the loop and when you click it off it's a direct signal/true bypass. My signal chain was: Guitar - wah - Phase 90 - Noise Clamp (in the loop of the noise clamp - Nova Drive - Suhr Riot) - Seymour Duncan Pick up boost - into the front of amp. In the amp loop - mod/delay/reverb pedals. I kept the Seymour pedal outside of the Noise Clamps loop bc it added bit of sparkly boost all the time.

All of my gain came from the pedals in the loop so I didn't have any preamp distortion/noise. The amps's loop was just effects pedals with no noise gate or filter. But if you're running your DSL with some gain, you could keep the NS2 in the loop and it probably wouldn't need to be set up as high because you've eliminate much of the noise coming from your pedals on the front end which without the Noise clamp would have been magnified by the DSL.

But you'll be surprised how much of a factor it its when you follow the basic pedalboard building rules. You might be able to get away with not following the those rules and it'll sound good at home but if you hit a club/bar with a more extreme environment, everything get's magnified and the noise will drive you mad (been there before).

 

[marshallmel]

I'm running an Xotic SL Drive and an Xotic EP Boost in the front of a 65 Amps Ventura that's set up just past the edge of breakup. These are both on a PT Nano board powered by a Volto rechargeable power supply. With both pedals on there's some white noise if I'm not playing....but that's never the case.

 

[Anonymous]

Analogman King of Tone

 

[Lampshade1973]

the TC electronic spark is a quiet boost, I have the mini and I like what it does to the tone, it actually adds sensitivity to touch whereas you can keep the gain lower and get that overdriven sensitivity on the fretboard....no noise either...

 

[SkyhighRocks]

I ended up using the NS-2 in the X pattern. Takes care of the noise but also completely shuts down my amp's reverb. Don't care much about that as I didn't use a ton...gonna just add a little with a pedal.

 

[FUZZboat]

1. take pedals to music store

2. ask to try out a Marshall DSL on the floor

3. plug in your pedals

- if the same noise issue appears its your pedals !

if not then your DSL100 is the source of the noise problem



NOTE: a common problem with Marshall amps is cheap (ie noisy) carbcomp resistor's that
add "hiss" in the preamp gain stages

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I do exactly what you mention 800 + tubescreamer or SD-1 and then i kick in the KoKo. It is the quietest of the boost pedals that i have but there is extra noise. Can't really avoid that. Your power supply at home might be an issue (the outlets) but beyond that you can expect a bit more noise when stacking gain. I'd also get the NS2 out of the loop and get that bad boy where it belongs.... on da floor in front of the amp YJM style (he used to stack up to two DODs and they are noisy pigs)!

 

[SkyhighRocks]

I tried the NS-2 just in front, worked fine, actually worked just as well as its working now in the x pattern. The problem was the loop white noise was there without it. With the x pattern, it solves both noise issues.

 

[jlbaxe]

I use a GEQ -7 to boost in front of my TS-808 --> 20th xtc. It has been dead quiet until I used some cheap cables to see how I like the board set up until I get my George L right angle plugs.