Author: Jody Page
The president of PedalSnake and a member of NASA's Space Foundation Hall of Fame, Jody is a lifelong pro guitarist and electrical engineer with special training in noise reduction. He has spent years in the trenches searching for better tone and better ways for guitarists to approach their craft. His passion is dispelling myths and hype in the guitar industry that seek to exploit our pocketbooks, as well as making entertaining observations about other music-related topics.
Dealing With HUM
HUM A low tone caused by AC currents (60 Hz in the USA)
SOUNDS LIKE “mmmmm”, a low tone, a bit sharp of Bb
Dealing With HISS
HISS Most often encountered by high gain players
SOUNDS LIKE “shhhhhhhhhh”, a high-pitched white noise
Dealing with POWER SUPPLY NOISE
POWER SUPPLY NOISE Encountered by guitarists using power supplies to power their effects pedals
SOUNDS LIKE lots of different things (sorry) 🙁
Dealing with DIGITAL NOISE (whine)
DIGITAL NOISE (whine) Becoming more common as guitarists use more digital devices
SOUNDS LIKE many high pitched tones at once, a subtle screech
Dealing with CABLE MICROPHONICS
CABLE MICROPHONICS Every cable has it, to some degree
SOUNDS LIKE noise thru amp when touching or handling the cable
Improving Signal-to-Noise Ratio
Reducing guitar noise can be tricky, but it is easy to boost the guitar signal to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and some ways are better than others…
Do I Need An Expensive Power Supply?
Do you need an expensive power supply to have a quiet rig? Strictly speaking, you do not. But it depends on many things…mainly you.
Do Guitar Cables Affect Your Sound?
Guitar cables can cost $8, or they can cost $200. What’s the difference?