Cleaning up tone with guitar volume

[Bman]

My main presets are built around the idea that I can go 'clean to mean' by switching pickups and a flick of the volume knob. Of course the spectrum on each changes depending on the guitar or more specifically, the pick up combination. My HSS guitar has a low output single coil neck p/u with Duncan JB in the bridge. I pair that with my preset dialed in for that guitar and I easily go from Hendrix like clean to cranked Marshall mean.....before I add a gain boost (for juicy leads). My other example is a guitar with two humbuckers, the Suhr Thornbucker and Thornbucker plus (bridge). Because the Thornbucker is higher output even when the coil is split, it doesn't clean up quite like the first guitar. I'm using the Brit Super in most cases. I find those, the Plexi's and the JCM 800's clean up nicely.

So I was wondering..... I've seen Leon's or @2112 's video where the preset added more delay as you played higher on the neck. I also see the video where he used the Pitch Follower to add gain in the higher notes. I guess I'm looking for a 'signal follower'. I will probably search and bookmark the videos to use for a reference to do this or more likely people are already doing this: Reducing the gain by reading the signal level the AxeFx3 sees. There's several ways to reduce the gain and one way may feel more natural than the other. But the main question I have is anyone already doing this and if so, what are the methods?

 

[langohr]

Reducing the gain by reading the signal level the AxeFx3 sees.

Any compressor does exactly handle the signal this way.

So far, so good. Problem solved ?

But I assume your intention is somehow a different one.
But what is it ? From your description I can‘t figure out what you‘re looking for.

Describe your intentions and goal precisely.
Then the community certainly can help you.

 

[yyz67]

Yeah, a compressor to do it automatically (but it will change the feel) or you could set up a switch or expression to decrease input trim (or VOL/FIL) when you're on the higher signal JB/Thornbucker or whenever you want to 'normalize level' between pickups.

 

[Bman]

Any compressor does exactly handle the signal this way.

So far, so good. Problem solved ?

But I assume your intention is somehow a different one.
But what is it ? From your description I can‘t figure out what you‘re looking for.

Describe your intentions and goal precisely.
Then the community certainly can help you.

I'm looking for a modifier that reacts to the input signal's strength. I understand what you say about the compressor. I rarely use them and so I may not be seeing the easy solution. I don't want to keep the signal at a 'level' volume. I want a modifier that turns down one or some of the many different parameters that influence gain (input drive, input trim, MV, etc...) and if possible adjusts some EQ if desired. I re-watched @2112 's video that demonstrates the 'Pitch Follower' (link below.) I'm curious about a 'Signal Follower'.

@yyz67 I'm trying to do this without a switch or need to stomp on anything. If the switch can be activated when it see's a quieter signal, then that would be what I have in mind.

I'm browsing the Wiki and maybe the Envelope Follower is what I'm describing?

Envelope Follower — converts input levels to control signals, responding variably to playing dynamics. In comparison, the ADSR envelope generator always creates the same control signal, but only triggers when you play hard enough. Use Envelope to create an Auto Wah: attach Envelpe to the Control parameter in the Wah block and hit the note hard for much effect, hit it soft for less effect

Keep in mind, this is sort of a 'wish list' thing that I was day dreaming about. The ironic thing is that while I used a non-MV amp for years, I wanted a clean channel that I could switch to via footswitch. Now I have that in spades..... (so spoiled). I enjoy the dynamic and dramatic difference I get playing the HSS guitar. I would think the coil split on the neck pickup of the HB/HB guitar would achieve that, especially since I've got a treble bleed in there. But it doesn't quite do it. Of course an expression pedal can accomplish exactly what I'm talking about. Like I said, I'm a bit spoiled with all of the things this unit can do. I've tricked out my Marshall preset to sounds like a...... 5153...lol. Not on purpose though. I decided to make a 5153 preset after Cygnus came out and I didn't have dial a thing in. All that tweaking to get to a stock amp block...lol. But the 5153 doesn't clean up like MY preset does...so there


Leon's Video
5 Minute Tones - The Pitch Follower Modifier

 

[State of Epicicity]

I achieved this effect a couple of months ago by using the Input Dynamics knob on the Dynamics Page of the Amp Block. If I remember correctly, I just increased the value. I didn't save my presets, but I think this is a good starting place. I know it's not exactly the method you're looking for, but it may help achieve the overall effect. Best of luck!

 

[State of Epicicity]

And just to explain a little further, if I'm understanding it correctly, increasing the value of the Input Dynamics knob changes its function from compressor to expander. I remember using it at more conservative settings on the expander side (12 o'clock and up), but that the effect was very helpful in cleaning up the signal from the guitar.

 

[Corinthian]

Explore the Gain Enhancer in the dynamics page of the amp block. If you set the threshold right it will boost the gain of the amp only when your guitar volume is turned up.

 

[blaggers]

Yes the envelope follower allows you to increase or decrease parameters based on the input signal strength.

 

[giantslayer]

So if I understood your first post correctly, you have what you want with one guitar, but your 2nd guitar has hotter pickups so doesn’t clean up the way you want?

If that is correct, I have two suggestions:
A) lower the pickup heights to balance the signal levels as well as bass/treble content (most likely dropping the height on the one that is too hot).
B) add an EQ block or something that you can turn on for guitar #2 to cool down the level before the amp and maybe tailor the frequency response.

That said, I am a big fan of adjusting pickup heights to adjust the tone and balance things. However, if the pickups are too different, I would probably have different settings tailored to each guitar (for example, I wouldn’t expect EMGs and vintage single coils to both sound great on the same amp setting).

 

[electronpirate]

Plexi 50. Full stop.

Quit screwing around with 'one scene' solutions. You have a Ferrari, don't ask for VW Bug solutions.

IMO. You're welcome. I'll post a clip if you doubt.

Edit: Don't mean to sound nasty, but this thing is amazing, TRUST it.

 

[Rex]

I'm browsing the Wiki and maybe the Envelope Follower is what I'm describing?

Envelope Follower and ADSR. Two different approaches to the same general idea. Play with both, and see which you like better.

 

[Bman]

Plexi 50. Full stop.

Quit screwing around with 'one scene' solutions. You have a Ferrari, don't ask for VW Bug solutions.

IMO. You're welcome. I'll post a clip if you doubt.

Edit: Don't mean to sound nasty, but this thing is amazing, TRUST it.

Truth bomb right there, bro! When the AxeIII arrived some time last year I spent 3 weeks playing the Plexi without any tweaking. It was/is inspiring to play. And I was coming from an AX8 so I knew I was gonna tweak at some point. My 'main' preset(s) now have very little verb and no delay because I want to hear that tone. It's ironic that I've spent this much money to dial in a tone that is very minimalistic (is that a word?). But I like the fact that I CAN dial in whatever tone I want.....lol.