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Joined: May 2008
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 410 |
Hi folks, I'm currently using a Vox Tonelabs unit that I use live and to record with. I love the sounds but I've decided I cannot live with the noise anymore. I have some other units that I can record clean with, then process the signal, but I can't use them live. I'm looking for something that is first and foremost low noise. Going back a few years I tried several different multi effects units, and I remember being surprised at how noisy most of them were. Of course, I wound up getting one of the more noisey units. (go figure  ) . Anyways, if you're using a low noise multi effects unit that you like, I'd like to hear about it. Later, Jim
I'd be completely happy if I had just one more guitar.
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Anymore i just stay with the digital stuff like the line6 stuff and so forth.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484 |
To build on Robh, I own a Line 6 PODxtLive. I am very pleased with it for a couple of reasons. Time is a very limited for me. The main feature in addition to the filters used to silence the noiose is the ability to download tone rigs from their web site. It saves me from having to do everything from scratch. Just a thought.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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Ditto on the Pod. A group with whom I record has been using one in the studio. We have been very pleased.
In addition, the software interface (the "Pod Farm") is the best I have ever seen in a consumer application--truly intuitive, powerful yet easy to use.
R.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Joined: Jan 2002
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The tonelab shouldn't provide any more noise than any of the other options listed. The source of noise is likely an improper signal gain setup, noisy pickups in your axe(s), bad circuitry with floating grounds, etc.
With that said, some of the amp simulators don't take a hard look at noise control - but the tonelab is generally loved by the people that own it. I wish I had one. If the amp being simulated in real life has noise issues in real life, many times the simulated amp will as well as many manufacturers rely on impulse responses for amp and cabinet simulation. The noise will be in the impulse response, and hence in the output.
I have two Behringer amp simulators, a V-Amp 2 and a Behringer Bass V-Amp Pro. Depending on settings, quiet and noisy.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Expert
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,342 |
The ToneLab should output a pretty clean signal. I have a ToneLab SE and don't experience the amount of noise you mention at all. Check the points Rockstar_not mentioned. Check your cables too. Try to eliminate the possible causes one by one.
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Joined: May 2003
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I use the IKMultimedia stuff:
1. Ampeg SVX
2. Amplitube
Some presets are clean some are noisy but as mentioned that's part of the sound. Just use a gate.
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Joined: May 2000
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If you like to run high gain overdrive, the noise is going to be there regardless of what unit you choose. It is common to incorporate a Noise Gate in these simulators, at the last thing in the signal chain before the output. Set properly, it can make silence when you are not playing, then kick out when you do play to allow the sound thru.
--Mac
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,353
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,353 |
Another source of noise is, frequently, the power supply unit;
Problems can cause noise:
(bad) grounding
low voltage
low current capability (this is, the unit drais/need 500 mA and you use a 300mA rated unit
DC current not filtered
Make an experience: Try using your device powered by the power supply unit you have and than change the power supply by batteries (full charged, correct voltage, correct current); any difference?
Finally, I am trying to change all my power supply units by the new concept power units: the "switching" power supply units (nowadays, all the cell phones chargers are switching, for example).
Advantages are: they are small, light, and the noise, if any, is very high frequency (not 60Hz or so), that is, not audible.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 177
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 177 |
Great band Luiz! Thanks for sharing. As for noiseless guitar effects units, I like my TC Electronics G Major 2 unit for clean effects. I also use a power supply filter unit at the base for everything having found so much variation in clean power at gigs. The biggest noise problems I have had over the years however have been from loud band mates - loud drummers, loud keyboard players, etc. BIAB has helped solve most of those problems!
Last edited by DrDUBose; 06/30/10 07:29 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 199
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 199 |
My 2c worth: I very much like my Digitech RP series multi unit. Mine is the RP14d with a little 12AX7 pre amp tube but they have advanced heaps since then. Cheers, John
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Yes mine have a built in gate.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 410
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 410 |
Hi Folks and thanks for all the great comments.
I'm starting to think my unit is more noisy that most of them are. Just plugged in and on the low gain sims, (but output volume on the Vox way up) it shows about -80 on the daw meter. I have to run the volumes all the way up to record at around - 15. I can gate the noise, but when I hit a note I can faintly hear the noise in it. Oddly enough, when I use some of the higher gain sims, the noise increases a bit, but the volume increases a lot. I can turn the output volume down, gate the noise, and I don't hear any noise when I play a note. The problem is, it's the low gain sims that I want to use the most.
Mike, next time you record, would you have time to check some settings for me? If so here's what I'd like for you to try. (this is all set for clean--for example if I turn the vr gain up more I'll start getting some extra grit that I don't want).
Manual mode--all effects off--tweed 1X12--tweed 1X12--vol ~4 --vr gain ~7 -- ch vol full on --
treble 7--middle 6 --bass 4 --presence 3. back of unit set to line out and volume full on.
thanks,
Jim
I'd be completely happy if I had just one more guitar.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,342
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,342 |
Hi Jim,
I used the setting you mentioned and......got a lot of noise.
That's no big deal however, it is just the setting that should be improved. You used a very low VR Gain setting and a very high output level (level knob on the back) The VR Gain on the ToneLab acts as a master volume: it controls the amount of preamp signal that is sent to the power amp (all inside the ToneLab)
What you want to do is turn up the VR Gain to 10 and turn down the output level (knob on the back). This way you'll get a clean sound that sounds like the sound you had, but with a very low level of noise and a much more defined tone to your guitarsound.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 410
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 410 |
Hi Mike,
Thanks so much for testing that for me. On my unit, if I turn the VR up it starts to simulate transformer and power tube distortion (I think). If I turn the input volume up, it simulates over driving the preamp, and in either case I get more grit than what I want. I'll play around with it tho and see what I can come up with. Again, thanks for testing. At least I know my unit doesn't have anything wrong with it. Or -- I just thought of something. If you turn your VR gain up and hit some chords, do you get some distortion? (I'm wearing you out with this one-lol)
I'd be completely happy if I had just one more guitar.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
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Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
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As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
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Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
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