Hi Dave,

Gain controls are full up. But now I know 100% my problem is not from my NS. I've just had the good/misfortune of sitting home with bronchitis for a whole week and as a result, I've been playing a solid number of hours every day, anywhere from early morning to midday to late night. And I've noticed that at certain times of day, the hiss is completely gone.

Honestly, I've no idea where this noise is coming from but the airport idea is a pretty feasible one.

So, to all of you, a very sincere thanks for all the solid help and sorry for the hassle. I'm just so happy nothing is wrong with my NS

Sounds like RFI (Radio Frequency Interference). If you're near a radio staion or cell tower, etc. could be getting into the NS electronics. Other possibility could be: Furnace (for heating house or hot water), Flourescent Lamps (cause a really nasty buzz), Neon lamps, CRT Computer monitors.....list goes on. Pretty much anything with high-voltage or even motor brushes could cause the noise.

You could try putting a ferrite bead/block on your signal cable...ideally two. Your local electronics/auto stereo store may have these. Put one up near the instrument and one before it goes into your amp. That might help some...especially if it's a radio station in your area... You coudl also try getting a noise filter for your AC power coming into your amp. Sometimes the interfenerce will travel along the AC lines and get in that way.

Dave

Dude, this is getting technical!
Thanks, I'll have a look around on ferrite beads. Didn't even know they existed tbh.

'Beads' might be a bit non-descriptive...they may list them as ferrite chokes. Beads were the ones they put on the leads of electronic components... Here is a link to Radio Shack that shows one type - they are calling it a choke...

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2103222

Dave

You're the best! I'll have a go at 'em

Good Luck!

If in fact the problem is RFI - it can be VERY difficult to nail down. Of course if the problem isn't RFI, well, the chokes can make great sinkers (for fishing).

one thing that comes to mind when I read this thread. I just sold an X3 i had for about a year, and with certain amps it was the nosiest effects unit I've ever had. When I ran my melody into it and then into a small tube amp it was un-playable there was so much hiss until I got a rolls passive Eliminator, a Rolls HE18 Buzz Off Hum Eliminator. that little passive box has come in handy more than once for me. Another thing I found it really useful for when when I was using my computer interface into an amp also. For the price it might be worth a try.

Thanks, I'll check it out.
I must say though that I can safely rule out both NS and X3 as being the root of the problem. The problem is most definitely external.

Thanks for everything guys, you've been unbelievable.

UPDATE

Hi guys,

I've just discovered that the problem IS indeed coming from an outpost for radio amateurs located less than half a kilometer from my house.

Thank you for your support and suggestions.

Hi there, this may help or reduce your problem. I do not know if the NS has active pickups (please excuse my ignorance), but if it does, if you are close to a Neon sign, the noise will most probably get captured by your pickups/pre-amp literally like an antenna... a radio outpost, the same.

The ferrite chokes are definitively a good suggestion, I always have them in my 13 pin cables, and this thread sparked the idea to add them in the audio cables too, great idea.

One of the things I have tried (as when it happens you are in trouble) is to have a ground lift adaptor (an adaptor that goes in your main power cable to feed all your electronics that disconnects the ground). May be because you reduce the overall impedance of your "antenna" that the noise calms down a litte. When this happens then, I would suggest that you keep one of these in your pocket.