The Steel Guitar Forum

when putting the compressor into the chain of effects, it adds a crackling sound regardless of any of the settings, it gives a hint of what it should sound like, but the added unwanted noise ruins it, I've placed the compressor in different spots and it does not change, is anyone else having this problem

Jim.I like the comp in my Tubefex.I chain mine as follows. CM>TB>3B>+--+--+--+ whatever.I don't like it chained CM+TB+3B.Too harsh! Just my opinion.Worth what it cost you. ---------bb

I have had about over a dozen Tubefexes and Profexes in my shop this year. They all seem to have that noise as the sound dies away. I just can't really get a compressor sound out of these units I can use. The only way to get rid of the noise that I have found is to set the sustain for "0". Another problem is that a compressor seem to work best with full volume from the pickup (not getting a varying signal from a volume pedal). I just use a pedal compressor for my guitar and a Hilton sustainer for my steel. Seems the best I can come up with. I would like to hear some other observations on this one.

Bobby,

How does the > differ from the + when setting components up in the chain? And I see your using both the the tubes and 3B Eq's. Are you using this setup to bring in the tube warmth while adjusting the mids with the 3B eq shift? thanks

Gary:
From a technical stand point I can't tell you why it sounds better to use the TB>3B in series.As opposed to parallel.TB+3B.It just sounds much softer to my ears.As for writing programs.I just have a sound in my head and I just tweak till I get it.Tech wise I'm as dumb as a rock.I use the 3B with the TB for a wider range of EQ.I've tried to use just the TB but it's just not as fat to me.BTW I always go CM>TB>3b when using the comp.Just sounds better to me. -----bb
I use the compressor to fatten and sweeten my tone much as a guitar player would.I don't have the noise Ken spoke of.Only the usual Peavey hiss.

Ken wrote.(They all seem to have that noise as the sound dies away).I reread Kens post.I have a similar noise if I use the Noise gate.

The crackling noise as the sound fades, otherwise known as "rocks in the tail", is inherent to digital processors. It is especially noticeable with reverb and distortion. Digital processing turns sound into square waves and binary numbers where the sound gets"quantized" or approximated. Even though there is an algorithm for correction, there is still nothing exact. This gives you that crackle. Analog processors do not seem to have this because they use sine waves, however there are very few analog "multi-effect" processors. For analog compression, Carl Martin makes a good one, but a lot of knobs for gigging, the MXR Dynacomp is ok, but has sort of a "seasick" sound. A guy named "Analog Mike" reworks MXR's to Ross specs to remove the seasick feature. I haven't tried one yet as a pedal, but plan to in the near future. I do have one internally mounted in a 'pedal/slide' guitar. It sounds very good.

BB: One of my recent favorites is using the 4B settings BE had in the Profex II programs with >TB.
It has the effect you like with 3B>TB but deeper and wider.

Regards, Paul

Bobby,

Could you emial me your patch or the patch setting that you are using. I would like to try this config out. Thank in advance.

Gary

Guys, I did a few test.The only time I get the "Rocks in the Tail" noise is if I set the compressor in parallel or + mode.In other words, if I chain it CM+TB I have the noise.I set mine CM>TB>3B and have no noise other than the hissing sound most processors produce.
For Gary and a couple of others that have E-mailed me wanting my comp settings. Here goes.Please remember that unless you're using the same power amp,speakers,pickups,right hand technique, etc these are nothing more than a starting point.

Global-input Lev=89 Lo EQ=+23 Mid=-33 High+22 Output Level=100

Global Volume=60 snall room.100 for loud gig.

Effects Chain

CM>TB>3B+RV+DL

Compressor. ATK=Medium Rel=Fast Sustn=1 Lev=42% NG Thr=1 Comp output level=100
If you're looking for a more compressed sound.The (popping) thing. Change the REL to X fast.Sustn=2 Lev=30% NG Thr=1

TB. Pregain=20 Pd=Lo PT=100 Bass=+17 MId=+16 Treble=+17 Presence=+0 Output=100

3B Type-guitar L Gain=+48 Mid=850 Hz M.Gain=-43 H.Gain=+25 Output level=100

I always set my power amps wide open.For a small room like your music room. Try the TFex (Global) Volume at around 40 and increase as needed.If it's set to high it will really stink with these settings.If it's set to low you want have enough head room..Also you will need to increase or decrease the (TB Pre Gain).If you're using a Tfex with 1 or 2 regular amps,say Nashville 400's these EQ settings will be way off.BTW I set my global volume at 100 for gigs.But we play very loud.At home,even though it changes the tone a little.I set the global volume at around 50 or 60.This cuts out a lot of the White noise or hiss.

DISCLAIMER: I ONLY RECOMMEND THESE SETTINGS FOR MYSELF! Hope this helps you get started.Good Luck!---------------bb<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bobby Boggs on 05 March 2002 at 11:55 PM.]</p></FONT>