Question:
I recently bought a Boss SD-1 overdrive pedal. I like it and it works great. I was just experimenting, combining the SD-1 with effects from my Digitech RP50 effects processor. When I combined the SD-1 overdrive with the RP50 overdrive effect, I got a distortion sound that I really liked. It had great sustain, too, one of the things I was looking for. The only problem is that whenever I play single notes, I get this nasty scratching noise of the pick rubbing on the string. Is there any way to get rid of this, or am I just going to have to get a better quality distortion effect?
Answer:
Originally Posted by Gecko of Doom I recently bought a Boss SD-1 overdrive pedal. I like it and it works great. I was just experimenting, combining the SD-1 with effects from my Digitech RP50 effects processor. When I combined the SD-1 overdrive with the RP50 overdrive effect, I got a distortion sound that I really liked. It had great sustain, too, one of the things I was looking for. The only problem is that whenever I play single notes, I get this nasty scratching noise of the pick rubbing on the string. Is there any way to get rid of this, or am I just going to have to get a better quality distortion effect?
Sounds like the two overdrives don't like playing together. Part of the issue might be your technique... how do you hold you pick, straight or angled? Are you playing the string with a bit of sideways motion?
-Nick
Answer:
I'm not sure. It could be my technique, since I'm relatively new at using a pick (I played almost exclusively classical until three or four years ago). But the only time I get this scratchy sound is when I combine the DS-1 with one of the distortion/overdrive effects on the RP50. It doesn't happen when I use the DS-1 on its own, or when I use the RP50 on its own, or when I use the DS-1 with the RP50's flange or reverb effects. Just with the combination of the DS-1 and RP50 overdrive/distortion.
Answer:
the combo of the two drives is probably a rather high-gain and dirty effect thus bringing out the harmonics of your pick attack.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Gecko of Doom I'm not sure. It could be my technique, since I'm relatively new at using a pick (I played almost exclusively classical until three or four years ago). But the only time I get this scratchy sound is when I combine the DS-1 with one of the distortion/overdrive effects on the RP50. It doesn't happen when I use the DS-1 on its own, or when I use the RP50 on its own, or when I use the DS-1 with the RP50's flange or reverb effects. Just with the combination of the DS-1 and RP50 overdrive/distortion.
Like Steve said, the gain may bring out the scraping sound more than normal. Try backing off the gain and see if the problem persists.
-Nick
Answer:
I've already tried that. I'll try it again, but it looks like this isn't going to work out.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Gecko of Doom I've already tried that. I'll try it again, but it looks like this isn't going to work out.
How is it EQed? Which strings make the sound? All of them? What happens when you play a chord?
-Nick
Answer:
The EQ is whatever the RP-50 is on by default. It seems like the upper strings (G, B, E) are the worst. I can't hear the scratching when I play a chord. But that may be because the sound is so distorted.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Gecko of Doom The EQ is whatever the RP-50 is on by default. It seems like the upper strings (G, B, E) are the worst. I can't hear the scratching when I play a chord. But that may be because the sound is so distorted.
Sounds like it's just too much distortion. Try messing with the EQ on your amp and on your pedals, bring down the treble, tweak this and that, see if it helps.
-Nick
Answer:
Thanks, I'll try that.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Gecko of Doom I recently bought a Boss SD-1 overdrive pedal. I like it and it works great. I was just experimenting, combining the SD-1 with effects from my Digitech RP50 effects processor. When I combined the SD-1 overdrive with the RP50 overdrive effect, I got a distortion sound that I really liked. It had great sustain, too, one of the things I was looking for. The only problem is that whenever I play single notes, I get this nasty scratching noise of the pick rubbing on the string. Is there any way to get rid of this, or am I just going to have to get a better quality distortion effect?
seems to me as other said but i want to clerify, the more distortion or overdrive or gain you have the more sensitive it becomes of ur picking, my brother just started playing guitar and he does mindless power chords with too much overdrive so you hear his fingers on the strings so much during playing because of the high sensitivity.