Noise in rack...

[IamBurnout]

I have a problem with noise in my rack. I know the culprit is the XPR. My problem is, I don't want to use a noise gate.
Are there any other solutions that won't affect the dynamics of my guitar signal?
I've heard of the Rocktron Hush (is it a gate?), and I ve toyed with the idea of using a parametric eq to zap it out.
Any suggestions?

[szulc]

Try Less Gain.
Try using a noise gate with a low threshold. Make sure your cabling is sound and there are no ground loops.

[EricV]

The Rocktron Hush is available in several different versions... as a single 19"-unit ( very good ), as an integrated part of the popular Rocktron-units ( Intellifex, Replifex... )...
My favorite actually was the "Hush"-pedal... it´s not being build anymore, but you sure can find one used sometimes in stores or maybe at Ebay. It was a big blue, battery-powered stompbox with two switches and two knobs.
One switch turned the pedal on or off, the other one switched between two hush-settings ( i.e. one for clean-sounds, another one for gain-sounds ).
What I liked was that it was very simple to use, and it sounded good too... what I mean is that, when properly adjusted, it only cut the noise, not the actual notes.
You are looking for a solution for a rack system, so the 19"-versions might be more appropiate, but I used that pedal in my rack too... I had my tech install an input jack which I used to connect the pedal to an on-off-switch... I had an analog switch-output on my MIDI-board. So I was able to switch the hush-settings with the MIDI-board, according to the presets or amp channels I was switchign too. Worked great
Hope this helps
Eric

[IamBurnout]

Thanks for the repies.
Turning down the gain isn't really an option (I've spnt a lot of time and money looking for that particular type of distortion), so a Hush unit may be a viable option.
I've read that Rocktron has re-introduced a Hush pedal (albeit simpler than the early 90's version) for about $70. So, I guess I'll buy one and check it out.
If it doesn't work in the rack, I can always try to make room for it on my pedal board.
note: I switch back-and-forth between rack and pedals when suffering from tone boredom.:D

Once again, thanks for the answers!

[szulc]

Whatever method you choose to eliminate noise the noise gate MUST be inserted after your XPR in order to be effective. If you use it before the XPR the output will still contain the inherent noise of the XPR unit's gain circuit.

Only the noise before the unit would be reduced.

I don't know much about rocktron pedals but I would think you would need to run lenghtly cables from your rack to it and back in order to insert it, this could introduce additional noie and signal loss, I would buy a rack mounted unit and use as short as possible cables. Maybe the rack mounted units come with footswitches to remotely switch.

[EricV]

Hi there,

James, the thing about the long cables is a good point. But that is exactly why I had my HUSH pedal modified ( see above ). It had extra jacks for me to plug in a cable which was connected to the analog output of my MIDI board.
The pedal itself remained in the back of my rack, while I switched it with my MIDI board. That worked.
But of course a rack unit is a good suggestion. And as I said, the original HUSH pedal isn´t in production anymore anyway
Warm regards
Eric

[RM II]

I do believe Roctron reintroduced their hush pedal.

I own a half-rack version of the hush unit. There is no noise gate on earth that beats what they offer. I don't really like calling it a noise gate because it's so much better than just a gate.

Pick up one of these and you will not be disappointed.

[EricV]

Yo, I just checked... they did reintroduce it, but it seems to have only one setting instead of two ( like the original one ). Here´s a link (http://www.rocktron.com/products/hushthepedal.html)

And here is more information about the 19"-unit (http://www.rocktron.com/products/superc.html)

Eric

[RM II]

I found a half-rack size unit like mine for $59 USD at a site called chrisguitars.com under the pro sound link.