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Topic: Clipping at max volume pedal |
John T. Wheeler
From:
Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2009 12:54 pm |
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Would like to hear from someone about a small issue I am having with some clipping. I run my Williams S10 directly into a Hilton volume pedal, then to a multi-effects processor, then to a Peavey NV112. I have the tone I like, plenty of volume, good sustain...but if I "slam the pedal down" and start playing hard, I can get some audible nasty distortion. So far, I have tried multiple things with my arrangement. I have accomodated by not going to the full pedal down when I need to pick out a lick..I just turn up the amp and pick away (I tend to pick hard at times) with the volume pedal less that fully pressed. I use full pedal to get the longer sustain when needed.
Couple of questions:
1. Is what I describe above "good practice" ?
2. Would adjustment of the pot on the bottom of the pedal limit my top end ? I now have it set to be completely volume off when the pedal is pulled back.
As always, any suggestions welcomed.
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Williams S10 3X5 keyless, Hilton pedal, multi-effects processor, Peavey Nashville 112. Dobro, Banjo, 6 & 12 acoustic. Current band: "Relaxed Fit" |
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Jonathan Cullifer
From:
Gallatin, TN
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Posted 30 Dec 2009 1:04 pm
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| Does your volume pedal have a gain pot on it? If so, try reducing that first. Then try running without the effects processor. Most likely though, I think it is the volume pedal gain. |
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John T. Wheeler
From:
Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2009 6:33 pm
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The Hilton pedal has 2 adjustments on the bottom...one sets the off point, the other is a high roll-off. The off point adjustment does seem to bring down the gain when the pedal is all the way down. That does seem to improve on the issue I am having. I have the pedal now set so that when completely off, there is no volume. Unless I really strike the strings hard, the distortion is gone. I'll work with this for a while and see if this fixes it. Thanks.
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Williams S10 3X5 keyless, Hilton pedal, multi-effects processor, Peavey Nashville 112. Dobro, Banjo, 6 & 12 acoustic. Current band: "Relaxed Fit" |
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Jonathan Cullifer
From:
Gallatin, TN
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Posted 30 Dec 2009 7:27 pm
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| If that is the case, then your volume pedal's gain is too high or your pickups are too close to the strings. I think Keith can lower the pedal gain, or you can lower your pickups. I've run my pickups pretty hot and never had any volume pedal clipping. |
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Jim Palenscar
From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2009 9:53 pm
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| Another common problem is over-driving the effects processor. Many of them have LED's that will show that but if yours does not perhaps turn down the gain on the input stage and see if that helps. |
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Brad Sarno
From:
St. Louis, MO USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2009 11:55 pm
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It could just be an issue of the technique you're describing. Most steelers are using their volume pedals to tame the pick attacks, and even out the attack/decay volume envelope. Steel pickups are HOT, and can easily overdrive many devices. So like Jim said, see where the clipping is happening, are you red-lighting the effects unit? If not there then at the amp's input, yes/no?
So if you must do this technique where you have full volume and pick the steel guitar hard, then you'll have to adjust the input level on the effects unit and the amp to accommodate those hot levels cleanly. Then everything else below that will be clean. But I'll tell you, full on steel guitar pickups can distort all kinds of things if you pick hard and generate all those volts.
Brad |
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