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How to Cancel White Noise From a Guitar Pedal

An electric guitar sounds great when the volume gets cranked up, until you suffer through the feedback, hum, crackle and static of white noise. Since the amplifier design picks up all electronic signals, your guitar pedal will put out quite a bit of ̶0;white noise,̶1; or static, the louder the volume rises. Cutting down on this electronic interference can improve your sound quality, both in practice, as well as on stage, if you perform. Reorganizing your pedal assembly when in use, combined with a bit of maintenance, will transform your sound from a messy, garage-band screech to the smooth strains of a professional guitarist.

Things You'll Need

Screwdriver
New 9-volt batteries
New guitar cables
Air compressor can
Contact cleaner
New guitar pedals

Instructions

- 1
  Replace all the old batteries in your current guitar pedals by opening up the back panel on each with a screwdriver. Pull out the old 9-volt battery and replace it with a new one. Close up the panel again and test the pedal to make sure it turns on ̵1; look for the red dot on the top to light up.
- 2
  Check each of your connection cables for frays in the insulation rubber around the cable and the integrity of the connector plugs at the end. Replace any cables that are worn out, bent or almost broken.
- 3
  Turn your guitar and amplifier on. Connect one guitar pedal to the and guitar at a time. Turn the knobs on the pedal slowly and listen for static or crackling. Identify which pedals adjust with noise. Disconnect the pedal and unscrew the back panel. Blow out the innards with an air compressor to clean out dust. Wash the dials with contact cleaner. Re-connect the pedal and try again. Replace the guitar pedal with a new one if the sound quality does not improve.
- 4
  Examine the inside for any signs of repair while you have the pedal open. Look for sloppy solder work on connections or leftover solder droppings, which can cause circuit arcing. Replace the pedal if you find evidence of these signs or problems.
- 5
  Examine your guitar to confirm your pickups are not loose inside the guitar assembly. Remove the pedal and patch a line directly from the guitar to the amplifier, then turn up the volume. Adjust the guitar volume and listen for static or crackling. Take your instrument to a guitar shop and have the wiring repaired if it is faulty or loose, causing the noise.

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