All Questions
49 questions
42
votes
13
answers
302k
views
Noise while not touching guitar strings or metal parts
I get a buzzing noise from my guitar when idle. However, when I touch the strings or touch any metal parts (strings, bridge or the metal portion near the output jack), the noise goes away completely. ...
- 797
26
votes
13
answers
223k
views
How to make ASIO work with multiple programs simultaneously : how can I listen to Guitar Rig plus something else through the same interface?
I've been using Guitar Rig 4 for a year or two, and it's a fairly useful toy for a bedroom guitarist. Currently, I use a Behringer UCG102 USB interface, which has a guitar in and headphone out.
When ...
- 369
18
votes
6
answers
95k
views
How can I prevent the noise my guitar pick makes?
When I play the guitar (electric with steel strings), I can hear the noise of the pick clashing against the steel strings.
When I play a chord, after my pick triggers one string it then falls against ...
- 2,357
13
votes
3
answers
21k
views
String sticking to the fretting finger - how to avoid?
When raising a finger from a fret, it sometimes happens to me that a string "sticks" to the finger, producing an annoying sound (like when I would do a pull-off, but unintentional). This happens most ...
- 2,645
13
votes
14
answers
95k
views
Can you play two guitars through the same amp?
I'm starting teaching guitar more seriously now and was wondering if there was some sort of setup you could do where you can play two guitars through the same amp.
I want to play along with my ...
- 15k
11
votes
6
answers
12k
views
Using an electric bass guitar with a guitar amp / hi-fi system?
I understand that you should use an amp that was meant to be used with your instrument, but sometimes maybe you just don't have the money, or your amp is not around when you need it, or for whatever ...
- 743
18
votes
6
answers
43k
views
Electronic drums in apartment
I'm a drummer and recently moved into an apartment with high ceilings and hardwood floors. I have a Roland TD-4. I've been researching for ways to be able to practice quietly without disturbing my ...
- 490
17
votes
3
answers
21k
views
How does The Talkbox work?
Beck started using this in the early 70's - they called it The Bag for a hot minute (as did Stevie Wonder) - Frampton's career came alive when he started using it - how does it work?
JustnBeaver
16
votes
3
answers
67k
views
Do distortion pedals work well with tube amps? Or should I use a tube screamer?
I have a Blackstar HT5 tube amp and I like to use a Boss DS1 with the clean channel for the heavy stuff (Zeppelin to Nirvana, these are very different I know). Is this considered a good idea, or ...
- 550
4
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Where to apply my effects pedal?
I've got a marshall valvestate 2000 AVT150H. The amp has 4 channels. An acoustic simulator, clean, O.D.1 and O.D. 2; and built into the amp you can hit effects for the 4 channels, there are several ...
- 101
20
votes
7
answers
54k
views
Amp picking up radio stations
When I plug my combo practice amp into a normal wall outlet I pick up a local public radio station, just loud enough to be annoying. The only way I've found to reduce it is to plug it into a UPS or ...
bobtheowl2
16
votes
3
answers
28k
views
How to avoid unwanted scratching/squeaking/hissing noise from the fretting hand when playing hi-gain electric guitar?
I have been playing the electric guitar for over ten years now, and this is an issue that has been troubling me for ages.
Whenever I play hi-gain songs and have to switch fretting hand positions ...
- 301
1
vote
1
answer
3k
views
No sound is coming to focusrite scarlett 2i2 when connected to emulated output of amp
Recently I bought a Blackstar Series One 10 AE tube amp. I was trying to connect the amp's speaker emulated output to the input of my Focusrite 2i2 (1st gen), which goes to FL Studio 20 as a track ...
- 221
33
votes
7
answers
133k
views
How do I know when it's time to change a tube on my amplifier?
I think this would be a wonderfully instructive question to people who are new to tube amplifiers. In short, how do I know that it's time to change a tube, and what's a good strategy for figuring out ...
- 11.6k
30
votes
9
answers
7k
views
Why do tube-based guitar amplifiers sound so good?
Is it just a cultural thing ("they've always sounded that way") or is there some basis in music theory for this?
fitzbog
23
votes
3
answers
23k
views
Why is an amplifier's effects loop useful?
When should you plug gear into your amplifier's effects loop and not into the standard input?
- 2,339
20
votes
6
answers
26k
views
Do bass traps actually reduce noise for neighbors?
I've been having some issues with neighbors and I am looking for ways to reduce noise from my accoustic piano.
One of the things I understand is that low frequency notes propagate a lot more than ...
- 873
17
votes
1
answer
9k
views
What changes in the amp when I adjust its presence?
The tone controls on a guitar amp are pretty obvious, but what does the presence knob affect?
It's a subtle effect but can sure make or break a sound. It doesn't seem to be treble or midrange boost, ...
- 4,749
16
votes
8
answers
27k
views
How to predict the loudness of an amp based on description
Related question: Is there an amp power formula?
When I look at amps in a shop or online, I ask myself what the amp is suitable for:
Can it be played quietly enough for home use without disturbing ...
- 36.3k
14
votes
8
answers
92k
views
Can I play a electric guitar through a bass amplifier?
I am a bassist and I am looking for an electric guitar, but I don’t want to buy another amplifier. Can I play the guitar through the bass amplifier?
- 141
13
votes
12
answers
54k
views
Is it possible to plug one guitar into two amps?
I'm thinking of taking a y cable splitter from my electric guitar to two practice amps. Is that going to work?
- 231
12
votes
3
answers
12k
views
What should I look for in a ukulele amp
I bought an electric ukulele and now I need an amp for it. What should I be looking for? Is there any uke specific things that are particular to this kind of amp? Would a regular guitar amp work just ...
- 222
10
votes
2
answers
14k
views
Advantages/Disadvantages of a line out compared to a close mic system
I'm a fairly novice techie, and I'm setting up a rig for a big musical production, with the help of some others, and we are thinking about close micing a guitar amp for the pit band, as opposed to ...
- 548
9
votes
5
answers
16k
views
Choosing a guitar cabinet
I have settled on the amplifier head to buy for my guitar, but I am not sure of the cabinet yet.
I know that there are open-back vs closed-back options, and I assume that the quality of the speaker ...
- 707
9
votes
4
answers
3k
views
why does music become less harmonic if we transpose it down to the extreme low end of the piano?
Why does music become less harmonic if we transpose it down to the extreme low end of the piano?
The reason I'm asking this is, is so that I cross check an assumption in a philosophy post: https://...
- 201
9
votes
3
answers
10k
views
Why do people place speaker cabinets or combo amps on top of things?
In a lot of gigs I've played, I have noticed that they have placed the amplifier speaker cab (usually just the bass amp) on top of a chair or a stool or something, so as not to be on the ground.
What ...
- 31.5k
6
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Reduce a tube amp power or volume
I just bought a Bugera 333XL-212 Titanium (combo, 120 Watts) which is awesome for small venues but is really too loud for practising at home. I can't set the master volume to more than 1 without ...
- 1,988
5
votes
3
answers
12k
views
How to buy the "right" power attenuator for a tube amplifier?
I want to get a tube amplifier, but the tube amplifiers I fancy are generally at least 22W.
I live in an apartment with thin walls, so I have to get it down to conversation/TV volume.
This brings me ...
- 277
5
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Incorporate guitar amp in my bass rig?
I have a Hartke 30w bass amplifier with preamp-out and speaker-in jacks. It has a decent tone and plenty of bottom and head-room for the space (small theatre). But I also have a new Vox vt20x (20w) ...
- 15.1k
4
votes
4
answers
46k
views
Can you use any footswitch on any amplifier?
For example, if I have an amplifier that comes with a 4-button footswitch (2 cables for this footswitch), can I use just any footswitch in the store with 2 buttons (1 cable) and just plug 2 2-button ...
- 1,170
4
votes
1
answer
339
views
Is there an amp power formula?
I'm looking to buy a new amp for my keyboards, and I was wondering if there's a formula I can use to help me calculate some of the objective specs I should look for. Something along the lines of: I ...
- 255
4
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Bass effects through guitar amp
I have often heard that you should never plug a bass guitar into a standard guitar amp. Granted it's not going to sound its best but it can supposedly be detrimental to the amp or speakers. I've heard ...
- 854
4
votes
3
answers
955
views
Can playing an amp at minimum volumes (<1%) be harmful to it?
I have Peavey Vypyr VIP 2. It's a solid-state 40w amplifier.
I don't own any lower power amps, so I use it at my apartment for practicing. It does have a headphone output, but I wanted to know if ...
- 41
4
votes
5
answers
31k
views
How to connect a 16 ohm and an 8 ohm cabinet to the same amp head
I just brought home a Peavey JSX 4x12 cabinet and realized that it's 16 ohms while my other cabinet (Marshall 4x12) is 8 ohms. The JSX has two jacks in parallel for chaining while the Marshall has a ...
- 387
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How can I set up the equipment I have so I can play the guitar with a backing track (laptop) and using headphones?
I have a guitar, two amps, a pedal and a pair of headphones.
My target is to somehow set these devices up in a way that would allow me to play the guitar along with a backing track coming from a ...
- 133
3
votes
4
answers
7k
views
What is the best setup for high gain and low noise for my amp and effects?
I have a JVM 410H - Using mainly the OD1 channel with Gain at 3 0'clock.
I have two noise gates, an ISP Decimator and a Boss NS-2.
I have these pedals:
ISP Decimator
Boss NS-2
Boss Chorus
Phaser
...
- 395
3
votes
1
answer
8k
views
Do I need an effects loop in a bass amp?
I understand how an amplifier effects loop works and why it’s useful. It’s a good place for modulation and timing effects. But is it essential?
I primarily play electric bass in rock and blues styles....
- 6,748
3
votes
3
answers
21k
views
What do I need for my condenser microphone to work correctly?
Now, I do know this question had been asked a thousand times, but I do have other questions along with it, so here it goes.
Couple of months ago I've bought a condenser microphone which I am intending ...
2
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Cannot get rid of pedal / amp noise (Hiss) [duplicate]
I have a Marshall JVM 410H.
I have the following pedals setup:
For the front of the amp I have:
Guitar > Compressor Sustainer > Chorus > AMP (input)
In the effects loop I have:
Isp decimator --> ...
- 395
2
votes
4
answers
6k
views
High pitched ringing noise on single coil pickups
My guitar has split coil pickups, and I've started to have more problems with noise on the single coil setting since I changed my recording setup. I used to use a laptop to record into and if I had ...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can guitar hum possibly be due to a bad pickup
I am struggling with hum on my archtop that has a Kent Armstrong HJGS-1 floating pickup. If we touch the outside plastic covering of the pickup or to the ground lug on the pickup, the hum reduces ...
- 153
2
votes
6
answers
59k
views
Using a microphone through a guitar amplifier
I'm going to buy a Shure microphone SM58 type but I only have an old Peavey amplifier. The plugs are different. How should I do then to use my microphones, do I need a converter or to buy a new ...
2
votes
0
answers
2k
views
Direct recording an amp head with my audio interface
I have a question about direct recording my amp head.
I have a Micro Dark Terror right now and the manual says : " If the Phones jack is not in use, a suitable speaker cabinet must be connected at all ...
- 21
1
vote
2
answers
9k
views
Guitar Amp Producing White Noise when Cable is Plugged in?
I just bought a guitar amp (Blackstar ID Core 40W) and I'm trying to figure out if I should be concerned about some white noise being emitted while a cable is plugged in.
When the amp is on and no ...
- 13
1
vote
1
answer
142
views
New to electric guitar, need help with amp settings
I am new to electric guitar, though I've played acoustic.
I have the Zar E20R amplifier and I am struggling to get certain styles I want. I'm attempting to get a distorted rock sound.
Any tips?
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
454
views
Electric Guitar Noise [duplicate]
I have an electric guitar (Yamaha Pacifica 112V) and I am using it with a Steinberg UR-22 on a Macbook Pro. When I plug in the guitar to the UR22 I can hear noise coming through the input, even if I ...
- 113
0
votes
1
answer
358
views
Connect mixer to fm xmtr, noise-free, xlr to unbalanced? Can I run the length first balanced, then adapt? (Church)
I'm trying to wire up a CZH 12V CZE-7C FM TRANSMITTER at church with stereo, its just pushing mono right now. I have to make a purchase to get the correct cabling.
The xmtr is installed in the foyer, ...
- 103
0
votes
0
answers
42
views
Producing Natural Sound with Electric Double Bass [duplicate]
I'm looking into buying a double bass and have been considering an electric.
I know this is similar to a previous question, how do i make an electric upright bass sound more standard, but I'm asking ...
- 145
0
votes
1
answer
184
views
What type(s) of equipment is needed for real-time distortion / tone modulation on an electric guitar?
My goal is to play Seven Nation Army (Glitch Mob Remix) on my electric guitar. I am pretty much a beginner. I don't even have an amplifier for my guitar yet (just practicing acoustic). But the good ...
- 573