Author Topic: Feedback Problems (Read 4658 times)

indysmith · « **on:** February 05, 2007, 12:30:30 PM »

I get the worst feedback in the world. It never seems to be a big problem with anybody else on here, but recently mine has been driving me INSANE. if i stop playing, everything just SQUEALS like a dying pig, even if i palm-mute all the strings. I don't know where this feedback is coming from. It happens with all my guitars, on all of my amps, thru both of my cabs, and it happens worst if i want to boost the front end of the amps with my Analogman SD-1/808 or my Fulltone Fat Boost. It's incredibly loud aswell; far louder than the volume the guitar is when i play- for this reason i'm not sure whether a noise gate would work?
I've checked amp positioning, guitars, cabs, pedals, leads, valves... I can't figure out why it's so bad - I'm probably just using too much gain, driving the front end too hard... but that's the sound i like! loads of bands drive a JCM800 with an SD-1, and their records never seem to have horrible squealing between every couple of notes they play. I just want to figure out why this combination doesnt work for me.
Another interesting thing i noticed is that i get the feedback no matter how quiet i play; i can set my hotplate to -infinity, so you can barely hear the amp, but the feedback remains, albeit quieter. The problem also mean i can't play loudly due to the feedback, which doesn't go no matter how far from the amp i stand... I can walk to the other side of the house and it's still there!
Could it be due to my dodgy power setup including an extension cable, and a multiple-socket plug?

For those who couldn't be bothered to read the above...
-I have crazy feedback, which won't go away whatever i do.
-It's there no matter what equipment i use.
-How can i get rid of it?

maliciousteve · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2007, 12:32:00 PM »

sounds like you have far too much gain going on mate. But if that's what you love, look into getting a noise surpressor/gate like the ISP Decimator or Boss NS-2

indysmith · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2007, 12:33:03 PM »

Quote from: maliciousteve

sounds like you have far too much gain going on mate. But if that's what you love, look into getting a noise surpressor/gate like the ISP Decimator or Boss NS-2

yeah i've been checking them out a lot lately. I'm saving up... I'd get one now but bloody valentine's day is coming up :(
Does anyone know the difference between the ISP pro rack decimator, the pro rack G, and the Rocktron Hush C? I understand the rocktron hush is more of a noise reduction system than a gate... I don't know what i want. The rackmount decimators are stupidly expensive anyway, i'll most likely end up with a decimator pedal.

Dennis · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2007, 02:49:46 PM »

Isn't it very strange that the feedback is there when you turn the volume way down (as you said, with the hotplate)? That would mean it isn't a feedback kind of thing, or am I terribly wrong now?

indysmith · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2007, 03:05:21 PM »

Quote from: Dennis

Isn't it very strange that the feedback is there when you turn the volume way down (as you said, with the hotplate)? That would mean it isn't a feedback kind of thing, or am I terribly wrong now?

i'm not sure - thats exactly what i was thinking.
Either way, a noise gate should sort it out i hope... :?

DeanS · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2007, 03:40:15 PM »

Indy, this doesn't sound right. I too like to play with may amps (Marshall JMP 100 watt, Cornford Harly, Nano)gain flat out with boosts/overdrives etc and never get this type of 'feedback'. Try process of elimination- ie different leads and different power sockets /differnt EQ etc, etc.

A noise gate will only suck your tone-can't stand them myself.

Mr Ed · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2007, 03:46:23 PM »

I'd say the first port of all call is... what leads are you using?

Also, try going straight from your guitar into the amp and see what happens. Then you can slowly add things (ie, pedals) back into the setup one at a time and you should eventually find the culprit.

To me, this doesn't sound like a "too much gain" issue, it sounds like a cluttered signal or something.

indysmith · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2007, 04:17:00 PM »

Quote from: Mr Ed

I'd say the first port of all call is... what leads are you using?

Also, try going straight from your guitar into the amp and see what happens. Then you can slowly add things (ie, pedals) back into the setup one at a time and you should eventually find the culprit.

To me, this doesn't sound like a "too much gain" issue, it sounds like a cluttered signal or something.

i knwo that the "culprits" as yu put it are any sort of boost pedal. Without them the amps are fine...

Dakine · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2007, 04:17:44 PM »

sounds more like a bad/dodgy connection/electronic/wiring issue to me.
As said, guitar-amp first and work out from there.

indysmith · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2007, 04:47:34 PM »

Quote from: Dakine

sounds more like a bad/dodgy connection/electronic/wiring issue to me.
As said, guitar-amp first and work out from there.

I've tested and changed every single piece of gear i own and i still get the problem - i've moved the amps around the house, and it's still there... i don't know what it could be.
Only thing i can think of is that it's the PC or monitor that's creating the noise... I'll try with everything but the amp off.

Dakine · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2007, 04:52:07 PM »

Indy, tis an ODD one. I figured, cos it sounded like form what you were saying, the kinda feedback ya can get if plugging/unplugging a pedal when amp is ON, which tis why I thought may be connection/electrical type issue.
Hmmmmmmmmm, interesting Mr.Bond.

Skybone · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2007, 06:48:37 PM »

Sounds more like your pre-amp valves are on their way out to me.

Try the Sovtek 12AX7WC for a more "modern high gain" type tone. Here: http://www.hotroxuk.com

indysmith · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2007, 06:52:34 PM »

Quote from: Skybone

Sounds more like your pre-amp valves are on their way out to me.

Try the Sovtek 12AX7WC for a more "modern high gain" type tone. Here: http://www.hotroxuk.com

valves in my marshall have just been changed at the marshall factory. The feedback is the same as when it went in for the service as when it came out. I spoke to the guy there about it - and he just said thats the problem with having the master volume high...

shaman · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2007, 11:51:46 PM »

hmm...are you just playing one amp at a time or stereo setup(could be the dreaded ground loop) also, do you have dimmer switches??the SATAN of my bedroom studio-I even pick up the neighbor's...however, the sound is more like a massive hum as opposed to a squeal..bottom line, the massive amounts of gain certainly add to any unwantred sound/hum..a lot of websites exist in the home studio world that deal with noise-I spent a month troubleshooting each item until I discovered the insanity associated with dimmer switches-they should be BANNED

gingataff · « **Reply #14 on:** February 06, 2007, 02:33:44 AM »

How close to the amp are you when you play?
Do you have a very long cable? If so take your guitar in another room and try it, if you still get the feedback then it isnt feedback. If you know what I mean.
It sounds more amp related to me, I would have thought the preamp valves too but hey ho. I suppose it could be a dodgy connection somewhere.
edit:
I just re-read your post and you've already answered my questions!