Keeley compressor noise

[LKB3rd]

Mine doesn't pop. It shouldn't pop. That would have me troubleshooting grounding/bonding, or taking it back to GC better yet since its new.
Attack changes how fast the compression takes to activate when you play a note. You can set it to get a somewhat uncompressed attack, but still with sustain at the end. Blend accomplishes the same thing, but it does it differently, playing the full umcompressed sound alongside the compressed sound.. I had never thought about it, but you're right they both work toward the same end.

 

[LPbuc]

I have a Keeley compressor and its dead quiet. Something is wrong with yours or your power supply. Why don't you email Robert, I'm sure he can help.

 

[Paulinator]

Mine doesn't pop. It shouldn't pop. That would have me troubleshooting grounding/bonding, or taking it back to GC better yet since its new.
Attack changes how fast the compression takes to activate when you play a note. You can set it to get a somewhat uncompressed attack, but still with sustain at the end. Blend accomplishes the same thing, but it does it differently, playing the full umcompressed sound alongside the compressed sound.. I had never thought about it, but you're right they both work toward the same end.

Thanks! All these things point to me returning it to GC, if nothing else to try another Keeley. If the next Keeley is the same, I may try another brand.

 

[Paulinator]

I have a Keeley compressor and its dead quiet. Something is wrong with yours or your power supply. Why don't you email Robert, I'm sure he can help.

Thanks, yeah something is wrong somewhere it seems. I still have troubleshooting to do but won't be home for a couple days. In the mean time maybe I'll contact Robert, great idea, thank you!

I really want to keep a Keeley comp on my board because I really do like it overall. It'd be ashame to switch to a different type.

 

[Paulinator]

Just found this posted by a member from another forum:

"My current rig consists of several true-bypass pedals. All but one pedal are true-bypass. My rig contains a Wampler Ecstasy Overdrive and a Keeley 2-knob compressor. Whenever my Wampler is engaged in the signal chain, the Keeley, not having high-impedance JFET inputs, "pops" loudly when switched on. The Keeley also pops loudly when the Wampler is not engaged.

Can anybody recommend a high-quality compressor that doesn't pop when switched on, is very transparent, has low-or-no noise, doesn't color your tone, provides sustain and level controls, and costs less than $300?"


Maybe I'm just not that technically "in-the-know" when it comes to true-bypass comps and how they react with certain pedals? It sounds as if it's just the way the Keeley is made. IDK, So confusing...

I've emailed Robert Keeley in the mean time, so I'll see what he says and post his reply incase anyone else is interested.

 

[Paulinator]

I think the scenario detailed in this link may be my popping "problem". Symptom of "true bypass" perhaps? If anyone has had the same experience with the Keeley comp please feel free to reply. I'm cool with it just as long as I know I didn't get a defective unit.

true bypass pedals clicking?

 

[dickjonesify]

I think everyone knows what pedal I'm going to mention now....
I've only tried the Pulp 'N' Peel in Buffer mode and it's perfect. When I get back in to town, I'll be interested to see if JHS's switches pop in true bypass mode. I'll let you know.

 

[Paulinator]

I think everyone knows what pedal I'm going to mention now....
I've only tried the Pulp 'N' Peel in Buffer mode and it's perfect. When I get back in to town, I'll be interested to see if JHS's switches pop in true bypass mode. I'll let you know.

Cool, look forward to hearing your results. Until very recently (ohh maybe 6:00, 6:30PM this evening) I wasn't sure what the exact difference between buffered and true bypass was. I was always under the impression that true bypass was "better" and that's all there was to it. Boy, do I have a lot to learn.

 

[dickjonesify]

Here's some cool tidbits from JHS

 

[Paulinator]

Here's some cool tidbits from JHS

Very informative, good read. But I see a pattern that's become very obvious since I've started buying more and more gear...and that is...there is always something else I'm going to have to buy. "Little Black Buffer"...I must have it

 

[dickjonesify]

DANG IT MAN!! Don't make me mention it again!! I am not a stooge for JHS I swear BUT, the Pulp 'N' Peel comp, not only sounds awesome, it has the Little Black Buffer circuit built in AND costs less than a Keeley 4-knob!
Why do you torture yourself?

Sorry man. I'll stop. I hope you get the Keeley figured out. I doubt the PNP sounds any better, per se. It's so subjective. But having a great comp and the Little Black Buffer built-in for $215 won for me.

 

[Paulinator]

DANG IT MAN!! Don't make me mention it again!! I am not a stooge for JHS I swear BUT, the Pulp 'N' Peel comp, not only sounds awesome, it has the Little Black Buffer circuit built in AND costs less than a Keeley 4-knob!
Why do you torture yourself?

Sorry man. I'll stop. I hope you get the Keeley figured out. I doubt the PNP sounds any better, per se. It's so subjective. But having a great comp and the Little Black Buffer built-in for $215 won for me.

Ohhh....hahaha, you'll have to forgive me, I'm a little slow. If it comes with a buffer circuit already I might just go that route. Yeah, you did mention that earlier, huh? LOL I gotta stop burning the midnight oil.

And it's cheaper than the Keeley to boot?? Shiiiiiit...lol

Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[dickjonesify]

It's switchable between buffered and true bypass, too.
There's a little switch inside. If you're looking on ebay or something, make sure it's a V3. When you order from them directly, they're made to order and dated on the inside. Nice touch

Don't buy it cuz I said so, though. The ProGuitarShop video of it is pretty sweet. There are others. Some good quotes from some pros on their site, too. Check it out.

 

[Paulinator]

Now I know why my Corona Chorus is switchable...it also has that feature. I've wondered why since I bought it, now I know. I shall check out the Pulp 'N Peel, gonna have to YT it for sure...mando.

 

[LPbuc]

I have used and own several popular comp. pedals, including a Keeley (custom purple paint w/ gold lettering). What I'm using now is what I believe to be the best comp. I've ever heard. FX Engineering RAF Mirage. Its SILENT, and the most musically transparent effect I've used. Everything you put into it sounds better coming out the other end. Most highest recommendation.

 

[Paulinator]

I have used and own several popular comp. pedals, including a Keeley (custom purple paint w/ gold lettering). What I'm using now is what I believe to be the best comp. I've ever heard. FX Engineering RAF Mirage. Its SILENT, and the most musically transparent effect I've used. Everything you put into it sounds better coming out the other end. Most highest recommendation.

Thanks for the response. I have to ask though, when you say it's "silent" how are you using the compressor? My understanding is that all compressors, by nature of design, raise the average volume which naturally raises the noise floor (while in turn lowering peaks). The more gain in the signal chain, the louder the noise floor and with the compressor on it just makes the already existing noise more audible. When you guys say you have a compressor that's completely "silent" I have to wonder if you're either a) not using much gain with it on or b) have the sustain knob nearly all the way down or c) the compressor simply isn't doing anything. My Keeley is silent with no gain, not quite as silent with low gain, and "noisy" when used with high gain. Are you saying the Mirage comp is silent regardless of how much gain you use?

This thread has led to do a lot of research on compressor noise and one thing that's consistent on all sites is that compressors themselves don't make much noise, they simply reveal the noise in your rig with the intensity of the noise varying by how the compressor is put to use.

I'm still learning though, still looking to the wisdom and insight of more experienced players. What I'm really trying to find out is if my Keeley comp is behaving as intended and the reason I'm trying to find out sooner rather than later is because the 30 day window to return/exchange is closing in.

 

[LKB3rd]

They will make a gainy sound with some noise already noisier. So yes, if you are after dead quiet, play through it clean with the sustain as low as possible.
If you dime everything, it will add noise, but so will pretty much any dirt pedal, but in both cases, you tolerate it if the sound is good.
I had some more thoughts on this. With my home setup, with certain pedals if I put it last in the chain they pop. I had a volume pedal last in the chain at one point, and it was scratchy. I was about to buy a new pot for it but started experimenting, and put another pedal after it. The scratchiness was gone, but the new pedal in that spot pops, where it didn't before. I think it might be the amp. Point being, weird things can happen

 

[Paulinator]

They will make a gainy sound with some noise already noisier. So yes, if you are after dead quiet, play through it clean with the sustain as low as possible.
If you dime everything, it will add noise, but so will pretty much any dirt pedal, but in both cases, you tolerate it if the sound is good.
I had some more thoughts on this. With my home setup, with certain pedals if I put it last in the chain they pop. I had a volume pedal last in the chain at one point, and it was scratchy. I was about to buy a new pot for it but started experimenting, and put another pedal after it. The scratchiness was gone, but the new pedal in that spot pops, where it didn't before. I think it might be the amp. Point being, weird things can happen

Yeah, good point. I think some of those weird things (scratchiness, popping) is due to static build up. I know the pops are a result from static being released in the chain, not sure about the scratchy pots.

I think a lot of this has to do with how we "prep" our rig, or how we don't lol. For example, that's why some people say to toggle each true bypass pedal on/off prior to turning on the amp (minimizes/gets rid of pops). I was thinking about the day where I heard the worst pops and if memory serves, I hooked everything up, turned on the amp, but forgot to connect the cable from my pedalboard to amp, so I just plugged it in without turning the amp off/on. Normally, I'd connect everything first and turn the amp on last. I think doing that one step backwards might have caused excess static in the chain resulting in more obvious popping noises.

 

[Paulinator]

Just went through my email and noticed this response from Keeley. Looks like you guys were right. Posting it just in case anyone else has the same question(s) regarding a Keeley comp. I'm keeping it on the pedal board of course

Hi Paul,

Yes there is a slight scratch right in the middle of the sustain pot. That is typical.

The popping sound is pretty typical of true-bypass.

If there are noise issues, it can probably be attributed back to the power supply. Especially on a compressor, I would recommend that you use an isolated power supply for it.

Try that out and see if it helps with the noise. As far as the pop, it seems to get quieter if you press it on and off a few times to discharge the voltage on the capacitors.

Thanks,

Craighton Hale

Keeley Electronics, Inc.
1015 Waterwood Parkway Suite D
Edmond, OK 73034

 

[kboman]

Sound advice! Although I seriously recommend checking at least the first cable from your guitar: any noise picked up or generated there will carried on and amplified through your entire signal chain.