Pinging harmonic on open E

U

Undertoad

Member
I recently got an FM9 and I mostly love it. However, I am noticing a harmonic “ping” noise when I play an open low E string on some presets (also happens when the string is detuned). I noticed it the most when I built a Metallica preset with the IIC+ amp, but I can hear it subtly on other high gain amps as well.

I don’t have this problem on my Neural DSP plugins or my Line 6 HD500X.

What gives?
 
Without hearing it, it'd be hard to say. You probably need to rule out as many possible causes as possible. Start with the mechanical details on your guitar. Action, pickup height, etc. Then tackle the differences in the setups, and how your devices and plugins are dialed in.

If it's not audible on other devices, maybe check the input gain on the FM9 to make sure it's not clipping? Does it happen whether you are playing thee open string loud or soft?

One thought I had, since it's on the open-E. I wonder if yourpickups might be too close to the strings. If so, the magnetic pull from the pickups can cause all sorts of weirdness. From a wavering sort of harmonic tonality (some folks call it a "wolf" tone for some reason). All the way up to a rattle sound. You can lower your pickups and see if it goes away.
 
GMGM said:
Without hearing it, it'd be hard to say. You probably need to rule out as many possible causes as possible. Start with the mechanical details on your guitar. Action, pickup height, etc. Then tackle the differences in the setups, and how your devices and plugins are dialed in.

If it's not audible on other devices, maybe check the input gain on the FM9 to make sure it's not clipping? Does it happen whether you are playing thee open string loud or soft?

One thought I had, since it's on the open-E. I wonder if yourpickups might be too close to the strings. If so, the magnetic pull from the pickups can cause all sorts of weirdness. From a wavering sort of harmonic tonality (some folks call it a "wolf" tone for some reason). All the way up to a rattle sound. You can lower your pickups and see if it goes away.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your thoughts. I generally “tickle” the red input signal as mentioned in the Fm9 manual.

Pickup height is tricky because I play a Charvel dk24 with direct mounted pickups. :(
 
It sounds almost microphonic. Does it happen when you are not tickling the red? If this recording isn't direct, maybe something resonating in the room. Do you hear this when you turn down your 'Out 1', or 'Setup' --> 'Input Levels' --> 'A/D Sensitivity'? Does it happen on all pickups? Is it still there when you use another guitar?
 
Try muting the strings behind the nut, is it still there? You can place a piece of soft material like a rubber wedge, foam, a hair tie, a fretwrap, or a piece of felt on the strings, or under it between the strings and the headstock.
 
Undertoad said:
Here's a clip:

It only occurs when I play the open low E string (regardless of tuning).
Click to expand...

Sounds like it goes away when you play the fretted power chord, is that accurate? If so, I’d check to see if your string(s) isn’t/aren’t too low in the nut and rattling against the first fret.

When you tune up to Standard, sounds like it also goes away when you play other fretted power chords so I assume it’s the lowest string rattling against the first fret because the nut slot is cut too low.

Edit: sorry I missed your mention of it only being the open low string so yeah I’d say it’s the nut.
 
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some kind of sympathetic ringing, check strings on either side of the bridge depending on what the setup is, or springs in the trem cavity.
 
While doing that palm mute, grab the strings at the headstock (after the nut), to see if that stops it.
If not, then put a cloth around your trem springs (because that may be hard to dampen with your hand).
Sounds like one of those two would be the source.
 
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