Hissy fit (Its HISSING, dammit!)

jeffbrown · #1 04-02-2011, 05:24 PM

I'm learning the ins & outs of my new-to-me Peavey amp & cabs, and I have noticed that there's a hiss going on. I hadn't noticed it so much w/my Fender rig, but its definitely there w/the Peavey. Perhaps the sonic difference between 2 15s (Fender) and a 2x10 and 1x15 w/the Peavey?

I began to isolate components, and I learned that 2 of my fx boxes are the culprits: the first in the chain, run through the effects loop, is a vintage Fender Blender Custom (Type 651), and the second is a Digitech BP50. The hiss is also there if I run them in the line from bass to my SansAmp BDDI to Blender to BP50 to the amp. I tried different lineups in the chain, with the same results. Both are powered by AC adaptors from the same power strip, which is plugged into the same outlet as the amp (and the SansAmp). The outlet is properly grounded.

Is this normal for stompboxes? It isn't a noticeable problem gigging, and I'm not expecting hi-fi, per se, from my rig, but is there a fix?

TIA

bongomania · #2 04-02-2011, 06:18 PM

It's not normal for stompboxes across the board, but there are many pedals--especially compressors, high-gain distortions, and cheap digital multi's--where hissing is pretty common.

It has exactly zero to do with the diameter of the speakers. In some cases it can be caused by the pedal power supply, but it's unlikely with two separate wall warts. To absolutely be sure about that, try each one individually, with the other pedal not connected in the chain at all. If the hiss goes away, then it might be an interaction between the pedals' grounding via the patch cable (not via the power supplies themselves).

The best fix is to get pedals that don't hiss. If the problem is only there when both pedals are switched on at the same time, then don't switch them on at the same time. If the problem is only when both are in the chain, whether switched on or off, then you'll have to decide which one to get rid of--and replace it with a pedal that doesn't interact badly with the one you keep.

There are also hiss reducers and noise gates, but I do not recommend any of them.

jeffbrown · #3 04-02-2011, 07:15 PM

Thanks, Bongomania. I did try using only one at a time, in both the effects loop and direct to the input, with the same results.... And with them not "on." I think I hit all the permutations.

I guess I'll have to decide whether or not to put up with it or start shopping.