software

I got today a boss ds-1......i do not have experience with distortion pedals so tell me please if this is normal......when i use it in front of my amp (mesa dc5 or marshall tsl601) on the distorted chanell no matter how low i keep the level control(even at 7-8 o clock) on the ds-1 i get a quite loud buzz that goes away when i am playing.......same thing on the clean channel(but not as much as on the lead channel). Is my ds-1 faulty or i should have bought an overdrive rather than a distortion pedal?

the DS-1 is a notoriously noisy pedal. Somthing that'll cut down on the noise a bit is to get it modded, stratdeluxer97 might be able to help ya out with that. People on the forum say he does damn nice work.

The SD-1 is a much quieter pedal, and has a much smoother character than the DS-1. That's another option.

If your putting it in front of the amps gain channel I would start with turning the gain on the pedal down to around 30-40%. More than that is a waste and just adds noise.

It is even lower than 40% and still makes noise. I just noticed one more strange thing.........when the pedal is depressed(effect off) you can still see the red led slightly(in the dark only) .....this does not happen with my boss cs3.....when the CS3 is on the led is red and when it's off the led doesn't light at all.... I'm strarting to think that the pedal is faulty..................


Originally Posted by fenderiarhsIt is even lower than 40% and still makes noise. I just noticed one more strange thing.........when the pedal is depressed(effect off) you can still see the red led slightly(in the dark only) .....this does not happen with my boss cs3.....when the CS3 is on the led is red and when it's off the led doesn't light at all.... I'm strarting to think that the pedal is faulty..................

Sounds like the FET switching is not completely turning off. A pretty common problem. What kind of power supply are you using? Battery? Regulated or unregulated adapter? You should be using a regulated 9V adapter such as the BOSS PSA-120. It actually supplies about 9.6V. That additional .6V is for the reverse polarity protection diode at the power supply that sucks up about .6V. Either way, a proper power supply should take care of the problem.

I agree with the others. It is noisy by nature. Before I knew about mods, I got rid of mine but kept my SD-1. Also, more gain = more noise. It's as simple as that.


Originally Posted by ErikHSounds like the FET switching is not completely turning off. A pretty common problem. What kind of power supply are you using? Battery? Regulated or unregulated adapter? You should be using a regulated 9V adapter such as the BOSS PSA-120. It actually supplies about 9.6V. That additional .6V is for the reverse polarity protection diode at the power supply that sucks up about .6V. Either way, a proper power supply should take care of the problem.

I agree with the others. It is noisy by nature. Before I knew about mods, I got rid of mine but kept my SD-1. Also, more gain = more noise. It's as simple as that.

Actually it sounds like a nearly dead battery. Ifthats the case that can be contributing as well but generally speaking thatmuch gain is going to generate some noise.


Originally Posted by TheArchitectActually it sounds like a nearly dead battery. Ifthats the case that can be contributing as well but generally speaking thatmuch gain is going to generate some noise.

True. The LED will light up dimly when the battery is below sufficient voltage so that could be it too. If that doesn't do it and using a PSA adapter doesn't do it, then I suspect a faulty FET switch circuit.

Sounds to me like you have a bad DS1 though...These pedals generate some hiss,but I wouldn't call it obnoxious noise either....

I only run my own modded DS1 through a clean channel....