• From: Frederick County, MD
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 857

Topic: Anyone try an Electro Harmonix Hum Debugger

Went to a club in the old part of Harrisburg, PA to see the incredible Jason Ricci and New Blood last night and was introduced to a "new" pedal by Electro Harmonix called a "Hum Debugger".  This was a very old building with an unbelievable amount of 60-cycle hum (Sean Starski is a Strat player) and the sound guy brought one of these pedals and it basically eliminated the buzz.  They run about $120 online.

I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with them.  A few reviews I read said they sounded pretty good but there was some coloration of the sound and/or loss of harmonics.   Any input?

CarljMD

Takers get the honey, givers sing the blues
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Anyone try an Electro Harmonix Hum Debugger

Most tone purists and people who play alone usually shy away from hum eliminator pedals because of the slight coloration and sometimes obvious "gating" effect they can have.  The most common ways they are used are from guys who play really heavy metal with tons of gain and EMG's.  Metal players also like the gating because when they are palm muting the sound stops when they stop.  I don't know a lot about the Hum Debugger personally but I have heard it's different than the ISP Decimator or Boss NS-2.  I would say give it a try and see if it's for you.  If you are gigging at a place with dirty power or have bad 60 cycle at home I would say it's a no brainer!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: Anyone try an Electro Harmonix Hum Debugger

I would just remove the grounds - most 60 cycle comes from ground loops.  Its a hell of a lot cheaper too.

  • From: Germany / Hamburg
  • Registered: 2008-08-11
  • Posts: 494

Re: Anyone try an Electro Harmonix Hum Debugger

I hate all these hum & noise suppressors.
I used one for a few years, and it suppressed the noise - but everything else too. No brilliance, no sustain. You should use the money for buying better equipment with less noise!

P.S.: That's only MY opinion roll !

Here are my tabbed songs by "Smokin' Joe": http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=7236
I LIKE MUSIC! big_smile big_smile big_smile
  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: Anyone try an Electro Harmonix Hum Debugger

Noise gates def. suck tone.  Even the best gear has noise/hum problems.  Its not the amps and pedal boards, its the wiring of the building and different equipment plugged into outlets interacting with each other making all sorts of dirty power and ground loops.  Unless you want to go around and re-wire the building for your needs, I'd lift/isolate all of the grounds between your amps and pedals.

Ben