mcgraham Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Hi all I've been using a Korg Pandora for many years now, and whilst I love it, it's noise gate is starting to grate on me. Even on maximum possible volume I can't get the full dynamics I want from this device, i.e. when the level is too low it doesn't give produce sound. Also has nasty hiss that gets let through whenever the noise gate goes on and off, although that could be the instrument. As such I'm looking to some other alternatives that DON'T do this, that allow portable practice with at least a metronome and a headphone out. Something that will fit in a gig bag ideally and run off batteries. First thought is a Pocketpod, but I don't know if it has a metronome feature. Anything else that anyone can recommend? Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mottlefeeder Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 (edited) [quote name='mcgraham' post='377479' date='Jan 12 2009, 11:08 AM']Hi all I've been using a Korg Pandora for many years now, and whilst I love it, it's noise gate is starting to grate on me. Even on maximum possible volume I can't get the full dynamics I want from this device, i.e. when the level is too low it doesn't give produce sound. Also has nasty hiss that gets let through whenever the noise gate goes on and off, although that could be the instrument. As such I'm looking to some other alternatives that DON'T do this, that allow portable practice with at least a metronome and a headphone out. Something that will fit in a gig bag ideally and run off batteries. First thought is a Pocketpod, but I don't know if it has a metronome feature. Anything else that anyone can recommend? Mark[/quote] I have a Pandora, and I have never noticed a hiss, so they may have improved over the years. It might be worth checking out a newer one. Also, although you have had it for a number of years, can you check that the input level is correctly set for passive or active - that could affect the hiss and also the output level. I tend to use mine without effects other than reverb, and I use the built-in drum patterns a lot. As far as I know, the noise gate is switched off. Incidentally, switching the noise gate on will reduce your dynamic range, but that may be a compromise you have already accepted. A couple of other things worth checking - does it also hiss when connected to another bass, and does it hiss when connected to other headphones. If your headphones are loud on top, and lacking in bass, they might make the problem worse. With regard to the alternatives, the message I am getting is that if it is pocket sized, it will use components that draw less current, but the downside is that they will hiss more. A couple of possibilities spring to mind - A S/H Zoom 708 will cost about £30, and would fit in a large gigbag pocket, and running from AAs rather than a 9v block, it is probably takes more currrent and so would be quieter. At the other extreme, the Tascam GT R1 is a combined guitar/bass trainer and stereo recorder, so you can use it as a practice aid, record yourself as you practice, and also record rehearsals. It retails about £230 Edited January 12, 2009 by Mottlefeeder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Boss Micro BR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 [quote]I have a Pandora, and I have never noticed a hiss, so they may have improved over the years. It might be worth checking out a newer one. Also, although you have had it for a number of years, can you check that the input level is correctly set for passive or active - that could affect the hiss and also the output level.[/quote] I've got the PX4D. I've got the switch on the side for low and high input, I set mine to high. The problem is even worse on guitar. I can't activate/deactivate the noise gate, it appears to just be a standard setting. It also sounds bad through an amp. Really noticeable. I too only use it for simple sounds. Literally just so I can hear myself played clean through headphones. But I can't think what else to do about this. I'd like to try the PX5 to see if that solves the problem. You sure you've never encountered this? Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 Ugh. I think I may be about the dumbest person on Earth at this very second, followed immediately by being the most enlightened person the second after. When editing each patch, after all the 'Cab' 'Amp' etc settings there is an unlabelled one called 'NR' that "never seems to do anything". It suddenly dawned on me that this refers to Noise Reduction and it might be responsible for the issue that I never noticed when I first got the device, only after years of fiddling. The Pandora manual also says that you need to adjust this for your instrument or your sound may be cut off prematurely... At least I may have a way to fix this issue now... Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golchen Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I use an old 'red' pandora that I got cheap off eBay years ago and I really like it (much prefer it to the new version, which I also have). I take it along to shops to check out basses with one of those tiny, clip on ipod shuffles loaded up with my favourite 'play-along' songs attached. A handy little set up! Anyway, looks like you're sorted now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 I hope so! This issue was the only reason I went and bought a guitar multi-fx floor unit... Now I'm impatient to get home and try it. And I'm out straight after work this evening. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Zoom B2 does pretty much everything the Pandora does, is dirt cheap and sounds great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 Sorted! Turns out there [i]IS[/i] a way to adjust the Noise Gate. Ahhhh, finally my pandora works nicely again. Thanks guys! Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbloke Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I own a PX3D which, after my bass of course, if the best piece of kit I've ever purchased. I've had it for 10 years now and it's survived everything - clumsy owner, kids, pets... I really wsh I could get my hands on the guitar version for my new 6 string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 They are great, and fixing this issue has breathed new life into it Probably don't need the guitar floor fx now... You know the PX4D is designed for guitar AND bass? Only 99 quid from GAK with 6 quid delivery on top. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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