Digital noise from new Voiceprint DI

[bdjansen]

Hi! I’ve got digital noise coming out of a new Voiceprint DI I just got. Everything else has worked fine with the pedal. It’s running firmware 1.1. I’ve updated the Bluetooth via the app. I’ve been able to connect my phone and make nice sounding Voiceprints with it. But there is an unacceptable amount of digital sounding noise in the output.

I’ve tested it with 3 different guitars. 4 different power outlets and 3 different locations. The noise is gone when the pedal is muted or if I bypass the pedal and plug my guitars directly into my Bose S1 or recording interface.

I’m not sure what else to try. Thanks!

[Caleb_Elling]

Hey bdjansen,
Thanks for posting.

What pickups are you using in your guitars?

I've talked with a few people now who have encountered noise with the VPDI, and in almost every case it's come down to either a low-output pickup or improper gain/level-staging.

Let me know what you can and I will do what I can to help.

[bdjansen]

The pickups are the regular Anthem factory installed in a Seagull, an Element VTC factory installed in a Gibson L-00, and some kind of Fishman piezo/soundboard transducer blend pickup factory installed in a Fender Paramount.

[Caleb_Elling]

OK,
There is some noise that is inherent in the VPDI, but setting the levels correctly in the app can make a significant difference in how audible the noise is.

I'd recommend going into the Voiceprint Module in the app and boosting the VP Level up all the way. You may not want to end up using that much level, but as a test, boost up the VP Level to the max setting and then try playing. This should significantly increase the level coming out of the DI, which should allow you to turn your amp/mixer down quite a bit.

Try it out and see what kind of difference it makes.

[bdjansen]

I turned the VP level up all the way as suggested. That also increased the noise as much as it did the guitar's signal.

[Caleb_Elling]

Ok,
This might be a different kind of noise then.

Are you using the original power supply or something else?

Also, do you have anything else in the signal chain aside from the guitar, DI, and amp/interface?

[bdjansen]

Yes I’m using the original power supply. No there’s nothing else but the guitar, the DI and the amp or recording interface.

[Guitarune]

I turned the VP level up all the way as suggested. That also increased the noise as much as it did the guitar's signal.

You increased the vp level on the Voiceprint tab in the app? If so, it's very strange that this would increase the noise...What kind of noise is it?

[bdjansen]

You increased the vp level on the Voiceprint tab in the app? If so, it's very strange that this would increase the noise...What kind of noise is it?

Yes in the app.

Sound is always hard to describe, but it sounds like digital interference. Unfortunately I can’t upload an mp3 to the forum it seems.

I guess it doesn’t matter that much. I really can’t tell what’s wrong. It doesn’t seem like the DI is defective because it works just fine otherwise. I’ll just probably end up returning it I suppose.

[Caleb_Elling]

Yes in the app.

Sound is always hard to describe, but it sounds like digital interference. Unfortunately I can’t upload an mp3 to the forum it seems.

I guess it doesn’t matter that much. I really can’t tell what’s wrong. It doesn’t seem like the DI is defective because it works just fine otherwise. I’ll just probably end up returning it I suppose.

If you want to email me a sample of the noise, I'd be curious to hear it and see if it's something that can be avoided. I'm at [email protected].

[ammaclean]

Caleb will be most helpful, noting the noise is usually at a constant and can be 99% overcome with increase output volume. Regardless, the VPDI seems to have high headroom, so your input can also be louder, which will allow you to turn down the VPDI and Amp. Hope you can get all working well as the VPDI really sounds great!