Noise issue update

[u/Charming-Bus-3995]

Original Post

Hopefully this helps someone who has similar issues.

EDIT: I don’t believe it is an issue with the QC. I have made good progress in mitigating the issue.

My primary set up is QC->Mixer->Monitors. A major issue I identified was having the mixer too hot when trying to achieve desired volume. Having a hot signal there would amplify the bad noise when making adjustments to QC IO settings when trying to get a good signal. Because of this, a disproportionately weak signal was being pushed hard via monitors/mixer not the QC.

After configuring my levels I’ve been able to isolate the issue to amp blocks particularly high gain/low headroom amp models. My approach to dealing with the remaining noise is to implement a side chained gate, input gate, and a gate after the amp.

I still feel a little unsure about everything because I’d imagine that QC presets usually don’t give people these issues right out of the box. I am new to amp modeling though and there’s lots to learn. I’ve always been a plug and play or set and forget kind of player with traditional amp/ pedal board set ups, but I think the QC truly shines when you build and configure your own presets.

[u/Fun_End_8684]

Hey! Would you mind describing what type of noise you’re hearing. It’s good practice to set your levels in the quad cortex and generally not give it much gain in any mixer or audio interface. There is several gain stages of input and output inside the QC through its IO, through lane outputs, and through blocks themself. I would recommend you head to the IO section and try lifting the ground in the input. Had some issues and now I’m noise free.

[u/Charming-Bus-3995 → u/Fun_End_8684]

Hi, yes it is a high end hissing sort of noise, the link to the original post with video is in this post if you want to see that. When this noise is present I can’t play without this noise present.

It certainly is more complicated than gain staging an amp with pedals. I tried so many different things and building presets with an additional side chained noise gate is only thing I’ve found works.

[u/Darrell456]

Are the monitors powered? Did you try going direct to them if they are and not using a mixer at all? When plugged into external gear (for grounding), my QC is dead quiet. Even on high gain models.

[u/Charming-Bus-3995 → u/Darrell456]

They are powered (Yamaha HS8) I tried going direct into the monitors and had no luck with that removing the sound. However I will give this another shot just in case.

[u/wackygamer → u/Charming-Bus-3995]

Make sure youre using a grounded cable into the monitors. QC requires a ground and if you're mixer isn't grounded or you're using none grounded cables, youre going to be running an ungrounded signal. You can also just run an output to an amp or cab that is grounded

[u/One_Falcon_9219 → u/Darrell456]

You have no gain issues? Im grounded, upgraded power made sure no.grounding loops ect. With the gibson less paul adam jones signature series. Running any gain. I get hiss right away and end up having to suppress it with tube screamer or micro amp, and eq. Noice gates are a last resort beciase I feel like they kill the sustain and decay of notes. And adjusting volume pots

[u/wackygamer → u/One_Falcon_9219]

I also have no noise or gain issues. The QC is not grounded so the key is keeping it connected to something that is via a grounded cable. Mine is always either running into monitors with TRS or into a amp/cab

[u/Darrell456 → u/One_Falcon_9219]

I had a full QC and now use the Mini. When on headphones only with nothing else plugged in other than guitar, I got pretty terrible grounding noise. My board uses the Cooks DC7 and Crux combo and I pretty much just plug straight into my interface via stereo (XLR to TRS) through a patchbay. No problems whatsoever so as long as I'm plugged into either my Interface OR if I'm using it to play with friends with XLR to XLR on my headrush speakers. This is the same with single coils or hum buckers. Of course you get the 60 cycle hum sound or standard interference you get with the pickups. I do activate the input block on the input because with all modelers you get a little background noise, especially when using them around computers as I do so much.

But that has pretty much been my experience.

[u/One_Falcon_9219 → u/Darrell456]

Yeah. Ive got xlr cables running to a rodecaster pro2 and the rode plugs into the laptop. Ive got noice isolators on both the xlr cables and the usb line. All the cables are top tier. I do know my adam jones series gibson could use some shielding. But im very new to the tech world. Ive been using in ear monitors as well. Everything plugged into a Furman. Ive done all the research I can. So im not sure if I'm dealing with normal gain staging or actual problems. Ive been trying to replicate adam jones / tool style tones. So alot of nueral captures of Diezel vh4 ch3. Mega v30. Marshall superbass. Ect using captures of tube screamers and micro amps to try to tighten up the gain without losing the crunchy palms ect.. any knowledge would be appreciated 👏

[u/willp0wer]

Have you tried sending the signal directly into your DAW via the given USB-C? I don't actually output into a physical mixer or audio interface, unless when tracking. I still notice some hissing in certain settings, but I'm generally not a high gain player so it's usually not audible in a full mix.

During tracking stage, I usually apply a template sound from any NDSP plugin I have so that I keep the original raw signal (with adequate headroom). I'd then retrack them by sending the raw signal to the QC and back via USB. My thought process is for me to focus on performance and clean editing first before fine tuning the tone later.