Boss NS-2 or MXR M-135?

Valerus · #1 12-31-2007, 04:01 PM

For noise suppression, should I get the Boss NS-2 or MXR M-135?

I know the MXR costs more, but money isn't too much of a deal for me.

What would you guys suggest? I'm just sick of this horrible humming.

bongomania · #2 12-31-2007, 04:14 PM

I didn't like the MXR much, but I haven't tried the Boss to compare.

Be aware that "noise" can have a variety of sources, each of which will sound a bit different. So some noise suppressors will get one kind of noise (high-pitched hiss for example) but not others (like hum or buzz etc.).

Maybe if you describe exactly what you're hearing, with what rig setup, we can suggest the right tool for the job.

Valerus · #3 12-31-2007, 04:19 PM

Marcus Miller Sig --> Boss TU-2 --> Line 6 DL-4 --> amp

It's pretty much a mid/high pitched hum. I click it into passive mode and it's still there, but not as bad.

The settings on my amp: gain - 11:00 (4.5), bass - 6:00 (+7.5), middle - off, treble - 12:00 (0), presence - 7:00

I re-routed the bass directly to the amp and the hum was a little less, but still there.

bongomania · #4 12-31-2007, 04:25 PM

Check out the EHX Hum-Debugger.

Valerus · #5 12-31-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Check out the EHX Hum-Debugger.

I am doing so right now. Do you use it?

bongomania · #6 12-31-2007, 04:33 PM

No, but there were some useful posts on it here in the forum from a couple of happy users. Might have been jetpack and MysticBoo? Not sure.

Geddyfleaharris · #7 12-31-2007, 04:33 PM

I would have to go back and search the threads to find the exact quote but I just bought the Boss NS-2 based on the principle that the Boss does not alter your tone by cutting frequencies as some other noise "reducers', "suppressors" do. It has worked wonderfully for me in conjunction with an embarrassing noisy Little Big Muff. The NS-2 has cut all the garbage out.

Valerus · #8 12-31-2007, 04:35 PM

Geddy, that's what I was thinking. I think I'm just going to buy the Boss.

bigchiefbc · #9 12-31-2007, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Be aware that "noise" can have a variety of sources, each of which will sound a bit different. So some noise suppressors will get one kind of noise (high-pitched hiss for example) but not others (like hum or buzz etc.).

+1 - Hiss and hum have different causes, and different pedals get rid of one or the other. The NS-2 is supposed to be up there with the best for getting rid of hiss, but hum is much different issue and might not be solved. Hum is usually caused by some sort of grounding/power issue, I thought I remember reading at one point. I know that my amp has a switch that lets me swap the polarity of the grounding, and that got rid of my hum

Valerus · #10 12-31-2007, 04:48 PM

Let's just say it's coming from the Marcus Miller.

Geddyfleaharris · #11 01-01-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

+1 - Hiss and hum have different causes, and different pedals get rid of one or the other. The NS-2 is supposed to be up there with the best for getting rid of hiss, but hum is much different issue and might not be solved. Hum is usually caused by some sort of grounding/power issue, I thought I remember reading at one point. I know that my amp has a switch that lets me swap the polarity of the grounding, and that got rid of my hum

+1 to the above quote. Just to clarify - I did not have a "hum" that I wanted taken care of; I had a ton of white noise, squeals etc. The NS-2 did that with flying colors for me.

Valerus · #12 01-01-2008, 02:03 PM

I just need to try it out before I buy it. Wouldn't want to waste money.