Noise Gates

[Studdy]

How many of you use an external noise gate (ie. ISP Decimator, NS-2, etc.) In front of preamp/di when tracking DI's? I am having a slight problem with noise that I can not narrow down. Fairly undetectable until high gains are added. And will it provide better performance than just using a noise gate ITB after the di is recorded.

Thanks!

 

[spencerlogan]

Doing this can have its benefits, like anything be sure that you're not over-gating the recording.

 

[Sethis]

Everyone has a problem with noise at high gain. The question is: how bad is yours?

I don't really see the point of a gate if you're only recording DIs. I say the rawer the better, leave processing for later.

 

[Studdy]

From what i understand the ISP Decimator II is more than just a basic level gate. It helps with hums and other noise. Is it just a standard level gate?

 

[Studdy]

From what i understand the ISP Decimator II is more than just a basic level gate. It helps with hums and other noise. Is it just a standard level gate? I've tried everything from power conditioners to great cables. I notice a grounding noise when not touching strings, I dont want any advice on the noise because i've been over 100 times and have tried every solution out there except a noise reduction unit.

 

[bryan_kilco]

I've had to use my NS-2 before during DI tracking because of the room we were in was just noisy. It helped, but the thought was still in the back of my head of "the noise is still there during playing, just about impossible to hear".

 

[Kohugaly]

It's better to use noise reduction effect like waves Z-noise or similar noise reduction (almost every DAW & audio editor has one, usually as offline effect). It basically gates different narrow frequency bands differently (setting the threshold according to a "noise profile"). It removes the hissing & hum almost perfectly even if the instrument is playing.

 

[RedDog]

Track your DI's, edit out noise manually.

 

[egan.]

^^^
Yeah, I can't think of a reason to use a pedal gate in a reamp situation where I have my choice of several scalpels.

 

[bryan_kilco]

Sort of on this subject:

When you guys are doing super tight edits (quick chuggy-pause type stuff) do you cut the end at a grid line or just eyeball it?

 

[jarrysopa1984]

I listen to the material actually and hear where I have to cut to edit something supertight. because it depends on the performance where to cut, there is no one single place to cut everything.

 

[Studdy]

I was under the impression that the new ISP decimator 2 pedal and in rack form was more than just a basic noise gate, just from what i've read people are really digging them. And also i'd really prefer to eliminate noise at the source and i've tried everything else. But i appreciate any suggestions or advice.

My situation. I love les paul type guitars.
I have mid to highend recording equipment. RME Fireface with Great River 1NV is my go to chain. I've tried 3 brand new les pauls and they all behave exactly the same. Whether im plugged into the great river di or fireface di it is the same as well. Whenever i turn up the tone know to "brighter" it induces noise that reduces about 90% when touching metal on the guitar. I've heard a 1000 difference suggestions about grounding, conditioners, cables the works, turn monitors off. But still no solution. i've even shut power off in the entire building except the guitar with headphones through a pod, it is still there. I've taken the guitars to my home 5 miles from studio, still does it. Maybe im just expecting to much. When i play with an active bass I don't seem to hear the noise. ????

Thanks everyone.

 

[nezvers]

I would guess it's grounding inside guitar. I recently installed EMG (Zakk Wilde set with electronics) into friends cheap guitar (Vintage - Gibsone SG copy). Before it had descent amount of noise but after putting EMG there practically no noise AT ALL.
So my guess would be electronic or pickups if you are saying your active bass doesn't have noise.

 

[tedtan]

Whenever i turn up the tone know to "brighter" it induces noise that reduces about 90% when touching metal on the guitar.

Hey Studdy, I can't diagnose your guitar without getting my hands on it in person, but what you are describing is how passive electronics work - when you touch the strings (or other metal part touching the strings), you become the ground and the noise stops. The only way to get a passive guitar as quiet as an active guitar is to install active electronics in it.

Fortunately, if this is the normal noise you are experiencing, it's nothing to be concerned with - everybody using passive instruments has dealt with it and still gotten great recordings. Maybe post a clip of before and after touching the strings and we can tell you if it sounds excessively noisy.

 

[jackbraglia]

Track your DI's, edit out noise manually.

yea that's what i've always done. it takes longer but is more precise in the long run. especially if you're into tightly edited guitars

 

[Studdy]

"Track your DI's, edit out noise manually."

How do you manually edit out noise that is heard over top the track? I obviously remove the noise during silence. Touching the strings kills 90% of the noise but not 100%. The only way to truly get rid of the noise is to turn the tone knob completely down. I've been through 3 of these les pauls brand new so it isnt this specific guitar. I also have an epiphone with similar electronics that behaves the same. I thought maybe a ISP Decimator or alike would be the answer. I could also buy a noise reduction plugin of some type, but I hate the thought of not getting it right at the source.

 

[bryan_kilco]

Are you running through a power conditioner?

 

[Studdy]

Yes my entire recording rig is through power conditioner. The reason i bought the conditioner was for this reason and it didnt make a touch of difference.

 

[bryan_kilco]

Was messing around today comparing different interfaces and their noise levels. One was M-Audio FTP and the other was Profire 2626. So, USB vs. firewire.

Most of my noise comes from being too close to my computer. And I have no real way to get around this. I record myself, and I need to basically be in front of the keyboard at all times during tracking. My setup is sketchy now due to the space I have available. I basically have my tower on the table behind my monitor. Turning the monitor off doesn't reduce any nose. I literally have to get like 4-5 feet away for the noise to die down.

Other than that, I'm glad I did a proper test between these 2 units and can honestly say that I do notice a slight difference in the DI tones but once high gain is applied, not so much.

 

[Sethis]

Then you can get some long cables and place the tower away from you. In fact I should do this too some time.