GM 40 Questions HELP (Loop etc)

Hey guys.....

Glad to be here.  LOVE this amp and just got it.  Just need a few point cleared up for me...and hoping some of you guys can help me out!

1.) I notice that when i turn the Gate on....and turn it to 12 o clock.....that i find my notes "crackle away" as they sustain.  Assumed maybe gate was set too hard....even at 12 o clock so i turned it to the right.....softer attack.  Happens still but a little less. Does anyone w a 36 or a 40 know about this and what the deal is? Also does anyone find when you turn the knobs you hear slight noise which they mentioned can happen? correct?

2.) I picked up the Yamaha FC that HK recommends .... and wanted to know the best application for it.  I am reading some folks speaking about the volume ...and when i program into the foot controller i notice it doesnt heel down to Zero.  Suggestions from forum folks...love to hear how you apply the expression pedal best.  Id love to perhaps have my delays set to super dripping with toe down.  Also considering a footswitch for the boost feature.

3.) How do you suggest setting up the soak option?  Global?

i LOVE the sound of this amp.  Just want to get some of the opinions of users.

Peter

Any thoughts?

1.) I get the noise gate noise but tbh I only really notice it at house volumes. Haven't noticed the other noise re switches at all (yet).

2.) cant really answer as I use boss es-8 as a pedal switcher (and now midi switcher for the amp).

3.) I use the global soak in the house, that way if I change preset I don't suddenly blow out my windows or incur the wrath of swmbo. (she who must be obeyed).

I know most people will be well aware of this but it is possible that someone will read the thread who isn't so, for the record....

The thing with the noise gate is to set it at the most sensitive level you need to just be able to squash the noise you have. Start with it set too sensitive so it lets the noise through and take it up slowly until it just kills the noise. If it cuts out the noise at its lowest threshold then it doesn't need to be any higher, it's doing the job. I do find many people just set noise gates somewhere in the midrange level and, if that works, they leave it there even if that is way above the level of the noise they are trying to remove. It matters.

And any system which is set to detect the signal level and then respond to it can cause that type of crackling. I strongly suspect it isn't actually a crackling noise introduced into the signal, it is just the noise gate flickering on and off quickly for a short period as the signal level drops to the threshold the gate is set to detect. When the signal isn't quite strong enough to hold the gate open solidly natural variations in it make the gate detect it then drop out and pull back in again repeatedly until the signal falls below the level where it is able to trigger it. If that level is as low as you can make it then your actual signal as it would be heard shouldn't be affected much until it's right down near the noise threshold. You will be ok at levels where you can actually hear it as you playing.

It's affected by how responsive the gate has been designed to be. Acting as a noise gate and not as an "artistic device", it needs to open to the signal very quickly when it is detected, (generally), and then to hold itself open for a preset time once the signal is gone. If the gate is designed to hold itself open too long after the signal is removed you will actually hear noise for a while which then gets cut off abruptly. It's a balancing act. Too long lasting with the noise allowed through for a while is as irritating as too quick acting with that period of slight crackling. Some gates have settings for speed of release as well as level which alleviates it but it won't remove it completely. That's a little much to ask of an internal effect shoehorned into an amp like the GM.