Blackstar HT Studio -20 Verdict On Demo Trial at my studio

Well i must say on the clean channel the amp overall is much quieter then any others ive tried..

On the Overdrive channel with my strat the noise problem becomes apparent but still overall better..

The amp stood on it's own produces no apparent noise (although all other Amps used did) but with guitar plugged in the Blackstar on overdrive the noise is there but quieter

Im now wondering if the EBtech Hum Eliminator would be of use..Any suggestions?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ebtech-Hum-X-2-Channel-Eliminator/dp/B0002E4YH4/re f=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323788322&sr=8-1

Anyone got one they could possibly let me try out..

Edited by manleyelop (13/12/11 03:08 PM)

I would be VERY surprised if it helped, hum in guitars is usually due to induced current in the pickups, not earth loops. That thing is designed to break earth loops, which are not likely to be your issue.

TBH a high gain guitar input will usually pick up some noise, it is just in the nature of a high Z input with as much gain as most overdriven channels have, coupled to a magnetic field sensor in a weak 50Hz field.

Regards, Dan.

--------------------
Audiophiles use phono leads because they are unbalanced people!

"The amp stood on it's own produces no apparent noise (although all other Amps used did) but with guitar plugged in the Blackstar* on overdrive the noise is there but quieter"
TOLD YOU! Bruce, technical director is fanatically anal about keeping amps quiet!

That hum eliminator is only going to be of use if you have an earth LOOP. You might have in certain circumstances but certainly just a guitar into amp micc'ed up cannot cause one, as Dan says, some hum from guitars is pretty unescapable.

That box is also very expensive as these things go, the most common device mentioned is the Art Cleanbox 2 and IIRC that is well under 100quid? The Orchid boxes certainly are. If you think you might have a ground loop problem scroll down that page to the Skytronics device at £4.56. You would have to do some connector juggling but they work very well as an earth "breaker", sure they compromise the audio quality in a wideband system and will not take +20dBu but for guitar frequencies and levels they are fine.

After all we have no knowledge of the sonic qualities of the Ebtec!

*And the 20 is the "noisiest" amp in the range barring the Artisans which use archaic AC heating, but even these are better than most!

Dave.

Edited by ef37a (14/12/11 07:22 AM)

Amp on its own is pretty quiet indeed..

Guitar plugged in on clean channel also much quieter although if the volume is cranked too max the noise becomes apparent (obviously i aint' gonna do that )

Guitar on overdrive at moderate volume produces the noise which is (attenuated) slightly by flicking to humbucker pickup..

Perhaps the Art Clearbox II may help clear up the signal some more..

Who would have thought tracking Electric Guitar would be such a nightmare...

Edited by manleyelop (14/12/11 08:59 AM)

No, The Art box will not help with induced hum, i.e. that which is getting in from the guitar. It is in essence a "valid" signal as far as the amp is concerned (any amp) and not the result of any electrical fault.

If you really want to spend money on hardware buy a noise gate pedal. This can be used directly inline with the guitar or inserted in an amps' FX loop. Behringer sell one for about £25.00 and if it uses the same electronics as the gate in their BCA2000 interface it will be pretty good.

But then many here would I am sure say "Live with a bit of hum when rocking and getting the tracks down then clean up after with software." That software is likely to be far better than any pedal you can afford! Plus of course you can run the track over and over and get the best result.

Do not forget the high pass filters!

Dave.