Keeley compressor noise

[Paulinator]

It's been a while since I used a compressor, so I can't recall if they're all noisy, but my new Keeley comp is. It's first in my chain and generates what seems to be a lot of hum to my ears. Of course, when used with gain, the hum is much louder.

I'm daisy chaining the Keeley with my Triple Wreck and Fullbore into a 9V 100mA Voodoo Lab input. The total current draw for all three pedals is only 46mA. Even though it's below the threshold, could this be what's causing the noise, or do all Keeley comps (all comps for that matter) have noise?

Should I just suck it up and save for an ISP Decimator?

 

[Shagnwagon]

I would try and not daisy chain it and see if that helps. A compressor is going to make any noise more audible.

 

[Paulinator]

I would try and not daisy chain it and see if that helps. A compressor is going to make any noise more audible.

Ok, thanks, makes sense. So even though it's not a "lack of power" issue, the comp being daisy chained to the dirt pedals is going to amplify their noise?

 

[Shagnwagon]

Ok, thanks, makes sense. So even though it's not a "lack of power" issue, the comp being daisy chained to the dirt pedals is going to amplify their noise?

A comp due to what its designed to do will make any noise in your rig more audible (Makes quiet noises louder, and loud noises quieter), which includes all noise in the rig. Gain can add/exemplify noise on top of that.

Some pedals are REALLY picky on how they are powered. Some cant stand to be daisy chained. So its a quick check to rule that out. Check cables etc. If not try and find the culprit of the hum and see if it can be fixed.

 

[dickjonesify]

Try hooking up just your guitar->comp->amp and see if the noise is the same.
Also, try a humbucker guitar, if you're not already, to rule out noisy electronics.

 

[Paulinator]

Thanks guys, I will try all of those things, simple enough.

 

[snaredrum]

aaaaaah... compressors

 

[Paulinator]

aaaaaah... compressors

Is this what you were trying to tell me, snaredrum?

 

[snaredrum]

Is this is what you were trying to tell me, snaredrum?

it's all part of the process, brother

 

[Paulinator]

Been doing some reading and I think the noise is due to where I'm placing it in the chain. I haven't tried any suggestions as of yet because I'm at work and only researching on my breaks lol. Anywho, since I put the compressor first in the chain, all my dirt pedals are amplifying the noise (which is what you guys pointed out).

Apparently, if I put the compressor after my OD/Dist I can expect these results:

From Keeley's website:
"I like them after distortion pedals in many cases if the compressor is clean and transparent enough. Compression after distortion has two effects that I really like. First, the noise floor is lower because the noise from a compressor isn't being amplified and distorted by the overdrive pedal. Second, there appears to be more sustain. There is one draw back that some people notice and that is a darker, warmer tone. Some folks might prefer a more conventional, brighter tone."

From another forum:
"Ive spent a lot of money on pedals such as the BJFE Honeybee, which react ultra well to picking dynamics. I want the sustain of a compressor, but not the attack squash.. I want that HBOD getting all the dynamics from my pickups. I run my comp after dirt, then i get the sustain of the compressor and still have the dynamics I love so much about my drive pedals."

 

[Paulinator]

Scratch the comp after OD idea. I'm sticking to my original chain placement of it being first. I just don't like comp with OD/Dist that much, and that takes care of one of the noise issues! I'll primarily use the compressor for cleans in conjunction with chorus and delay. I am however still going to isolate the power source, that's never a bad idea. Cheers for the input guys!

 

[kboman]

Your guitar cable can be an enthusiastic noisemaker too, make sure the one you use is not damaged. This from personal experience...

 

[gibsonguitar1988]

I have a Keeley (4 knob) and yes they are noisy, but I run the compression low and the level higher with the attack and clipping knobs full on so it's immediate attack and it is a bit less noisy. I only use low gain OD with it, mainly only for country stuff.

 

[LKB3rd]

You can rule out power supply noise by running it on a battery as a troubleshooting measure. As has been pointed out, any noise that you are getting before the comp will be louder, which is normal. A little bit of hiss is normal too, but it should be minimal.

 

[Paulinator]

I have a Keeley (4 knob) and yes they are noisy, but I run the compression low and the level higher with the attack and clipping knobs full on so it's immediate attack and it is a bit less noisy. I only use low gain OD with it, mainly only for country stuff.

Oh cool, thanks for the tips. I have the 4 knob also, so I will try this approach.

 

[LKB3rd]

One of the reasons I like the 2 knob Keeley is that I feel like he got it right and the less I mess with it the better, although I did tweak the attack for a slightly less compressed attack than what was default.
I just broke out my Tele, my Keeley, and ran it into an overdrive and the single coil hum won't go away completely like it will with either one alone when I spin to the "sweet spot". Sounds great though imo I use it mostly with single coils, and if I stack it, it is with moderate overdrive, aiming to get a sound with articulation and clarity (less drive) but the same sustain and saturated (not sure if that's the right word) sound you get with more gain/drive.
I also use it alone for cleans. Stacking it I put the sustain at 9 O'clock, and alone I run sustain and level both around noon usually. I even like it with the sustain maxed for certain types of cleans, like Adrian Belew used with King Crimson on songs like "Heartbeat".
With humbuckers I put the sustain very low usually. I use it less with them.

 

[Paulinator]

One of the reasons I like the 2 knob Keeley is that I feel like he got it right and the less I mess with it the better, although I did tweak the attack for a slightly less compressed attack than what was default.
I just broke out my Tele, my Keeley, and ran it into an overdrive and the single coil hum won't go away completely like it will with either one alone when I spin to the "sweet spot". Sounds great though imo I use it mostly with single coils, and if I stack it, it is with moderate overdrive, aiming to get a sound with articulation and clarity (less drive) but the same sustain and saturated (not sure if that's the right word) sound you get with more gain/drive.
I also use it alone for cleans. Stacking it I put the sustain at 9 O'clock, and alone I run sustain and level both around noon usually. I even like it with the sustain maxed for certain types of cleans, like Adrian Belew used with King Crimson on songs like "Heartbeat".
With humbuckers I put the sustain very low usually. I use it less with them.

Thanks for the reply. I read today on other forums people having the same noise from the Keeley 4 knob and some people say that it's normal, some don't. Some say they've suspected they received a defective one and sent it back, only to receive one exactly like it (noisy). Others have said they sent the suspected faultly one back and that Keeley "repaired" it (bad chip) and that it came back noise free. I'm so confused whether I should return it to GC, send it to Keeley, or just keep it.

Oh, and another thing some people said about the "faulty" ones was that the Sustain knob when turned was scratchy, creating a static noise. Sure enough, mine does that also. Overall, this comp sounds great, but not knowing much about compressors and hearing conflicting answers really makes this perplexing lol.

 

[LKB3rd]

Can you bring it in to GC, and compare it to others they have there? Or try youtube "4 knob Keeley noisy" or something like it, I wouldn't be surprised if some else recorded it and you could compare it.
You could also email Keeley and ask if there is an issue with noisy 4knobs. I think mine had some scratchiness at first, it was a while ago and I forget what I did if anything about it.

 

[Paulinator]

Can you bring it in to GC, and compare it to others they have there? Or try youtube "4 knob Keeley noisy" or something like it, I wouldn't be surprised if some else recorded it and you could compare it.
You could also email Keeley and ask if there is an issue with noisy 4knobs. I think mine had some scratchiness at first, it was a while ago and I forget what I did if anything about it.

Yeah, those are probably the best things to try. I think the only other one at GC is the demo unit, but at least it's something to compare it to. I also haven't really tried any other of the suggested tests yet, been working, just reading stuff online. Thanks for the feedback and suggestions!

 

[Paulinator]

Hey guys, couple more questions:

First, when I switch the comp off/on there is an audible pop sound. As expected the more gain, the louder the pop. If Delay is on, the pop echoes. Is it normal for comps in general to pop?

Second question, what's the difference between the "attack" knob on the Keeley and the "blend" knob on something like the Tone Press? I know when attack time is raised is lengthens the time before the compression "clamps" down on the signal. The blend knob blends dry/wet signal from my understanding. Are these two things one in the same? It sounds like the same concept to me.

Thanks!