Guys who boost

[messenger]

What do you do about the noise/hiss? I've only tried boosting about 3 times in my life and could never get a good sound/feel without too much noise. I was just trying my Randall RG80ES with my boss EQ and I got a nice tone and feel, but the hiss was too much to use in a live setting. If I dial down the gain, I feel I loose any real benefit from the boost, and might as well just use the amp. I'm not looking to get a downtuned metal sound. Just a nice legato feel for leads. Any suggestions?

 

[Copperhead]

I boost my Rev with a Krankshaft with no noise or hiss.

 

[dstroud]

If I boost an amp, I usually have the gain on the amp turned down and end up with about the same amount of noise if I had the same amount of gain with amp distortion, but since it's boosted I get a slightly different tone.

 

[MrDan666]

I always use a boost plugged into a noise gate, then the output of the noisegate goes to the input of my amp.

Boss NS-2, Decimator pedal and MXR Smartgate all work great for the job. You wont lose any tone if dialed in right, and you'l be noise free!

 

[Everlone]

I've always boosted my amps with all kinds of boosts and I've always had hiss and buzz issues. I got a noise supressor pedal and that killed all the noise. For me, if I'm using a boost I HAVE TO HAVE a noise supressor.

 

[1big1]

my roland cube 60 has a noise supressor/gate built in. if i'm using a different amp i'll use my boss ns2.

 

[Gainfreak]

The decimator pedal is your friend lol!!

I boost my amps from time to time and the amount of noise depends upon how much level or boost you want to use. If you are going for maximum stun you will definitely need a hush or decimator pedal.

On another note:
The only problem that I ran into when boosting my amp for maximum gain is dynamics (rolling the volume knob down on the guitar and playing with less gain) I solved that problem by adding a switching system.
My new rig consists of a GCX audio switcher and I have a Boost and noise gate paired together so I can switch the boost in and out of the signal at will. Works like a charm and it made my 3 channel amp pretty much a 4 or 5 channel amp depending on what channel I use the boost on !!

 

[MrDan666]

I always use a boost plugged into a noise gate, then the output of the noisegate goes to the input of my amp.

That's how I use my NS-2 as well. Good advice Marion Cobretti

The noise is the disease... The NS-2 is the cure

 

[Everlone]

I always use a boost plugged into a noise gate, then the output of the noisegate goes to the input of my amp.

That's how I use my NS-2 as well. Good advice Marion Cobretti

The noise is the disease... The NS-2 is the cure

Damn...

 

[mrp5150]

Never had a problem with that. Just turn the gain down on your amp and use a noise gate. ISP Decimator FTW.

 

[Strat+Marshall]

Into my 2204/2203s and 4 hole type Marshalls it is no problem no noise gate needed. If it is a high gain amp I just roll off the preamp gain on the amp. I haven't used a noise gate for a long time. The only time I have used one lately is to stack overdrives for super low output pickups like a dimarzio HS-3. The NS-2 is a good gate for the money.

 

[messenger]

With dialing the amp gain down, and using a pedal to get the gain back, is there a feel difference. Does it make the amp more fluid feeling?

 

[1big1]

not sure about that. i usually set the gain on the amp to where i like it from a rhythm standpoint with the guitar's volume at 6-7. that way i can roll the volume up if i want it dirtier or down if i want it cleaner. when i set the boost i usually adjust the gain level so it doesn't push or get really saturated and i set the volume so i don't get a great big boost when i kick it in. it usually results in a nice liquidy full sounding lead tone.. sorta "thin lizzyish".

 

[dstroud]

With dialing the amp gain down, and using a pedal to get the gain back, is there a feel difference. Does it make the amp more fluid feeling?

It's a big difference if you ask me, amp will feel tighter and punchier IMO.

 

[blackba]

Never had a problem with noise myself, but none of my amps have really been that high gain, IE 5150's, dual rects, etc. I really like the tightness and fluidity that boosting provides on most amps.

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

i don't know man? suppose all the stuff mentioned helps, like the gate and turning down amp gain.


but kindda seems to me once you let that hiss get under your skin it can become a real battle between having the feel of the boost VS getting drove batshit by the hiss.


i've found one boost that's clean enough not to drive me batshit, and that is a Jersey Girl Full Tender! it's not a super hot boost, but it will get you some feel with very very negligible hiss. maybe not for every amp, but damn nice for the ones it takes to!

 

[messenger]

I'm using the Randall without the treble pulled (added gain) and I like the tone, but for leads I REALLY have to work for legato. Never really had this much trouble on any other amps I've had. So I was messing around with my EQ. Is an actual boost pedal better for this, or is an EQ just as good? I've never been too much of a tweaker. I think if I really try I should be able to make it work, I guess?

 

[Plexihacker]

I always use a boost plugged into a noise gate, then the output of the noisegate goes to the input of my amp.

Boss NS-2, Decimator pedal and MXR Smartgate all work great for the job. You wont lose any tone if dialed in right, and you'l be noise free!

+1

Or at the moment I'm using the gate w/i the G-major in my loop. Also really like the dual assignable MVs in the JVM for boosting leads and equalizing volumes of my clean tones.

 

[anomaly]

If you're boosting you can get away with the gain on the amp around 7 or 8. And that's for metal stuff.

I think those boss EQ pedals are kinda noisey themselves though, i'd suggest something different.

Also, when boosting with an EQ, the frown (upside down smiley face) shape is the way it should be set. Lots of mids before the amp, and less bass, highs. Good luck.

 

[White_Van]

If you're boosting you can get away with the gain on the amp around 7 or 8. And that's for metal stuff.

I think those boss EQ pedals are kinda noisey themselves though, i'd suggest something different.

Also, when boosting with an EQ, the frown (upside down smiley face) shape is the way it should be set. Lots of mids before the amp, and less bass, highs. Good luck.

I prefer the opposite, I like cutting the mids out a little bit and boosting the bass and highs. I find that if you boost the mids you get the Kerry King/Slayer tone and no one wants that.