Amps/pedals with nasally whine

[AlsoRan]

What in an amp/pedal causes that nasally whine characteristic that some digital/hybrid and tube amps, as well as some OD/distortion pedals, possess? Is it an electronic hum or byproduct of electronic/digital processing?

I also noticed it even in tube amps when the volume is low, especially when I am trying to get "good" distortion. In tube amps, is it just that there is not enough power at lower volumes to drive the speakers?

Thanks.

[mambosun]

I also noticed it even in tube amps when the volume is low, especially when I am trying to get "good" distortion. In tube amps, is it just that there is not enough power at lower volumes to drive the speakers?

I'm not sure if I correctly caught your point, but basically, for an amplified signal through a loudspeaker, a minimum volume is required to get a full tone with maximum frequency range ( laws of physics).
However this could partially be cured with a good compressor/ sustainer effect.

[AlsoRan]

Originally Posted by mambosun

I'm not sure if I correctly caught your point, but basically, for an amplified signal through a loudspeaker, a minimum volume is required to get a full tone with maximum frequency range ( laws of physics).
However this could partially be cured with a good compressor/ sustainer effect.

I agree my question is poorly worded.

I guess I already knew the answer to the low volume questions - many amps don't come alive until you get up around 4 or 5 on the volume knob.

But specifically, I have noticed this electrical sounding high pitched whine on certain amps and definitely with certain distortion slash overdrive pedals. I have a Fender Vibrochamp XD and Superchamp, and on the distortion channel, both have a treble whine and I was wondering if changing the tubes would diminish it (meaning that tubes can be a source of the nasally whine). Even Fender recommends backing off the treble and gain on some of the "metal" voices.

I have noticed plugging the combos speaker wire into a cabinet with a Celestion G12H helped tame the whine a little bit.

By the way, I know this question is probably better suited on a more Rock-oriented forum, but I thought I would try this one anyway. The members here are so diverse, experienced, and articulate).

[mambosun]

But specifically, I have noticed this electrical sounding high pitched whine on certain amps and definitely with certain distortion slash overdrive pedals. I have a Fender Vibrochamp XD and Superchamp, and on the distortion channel, both have a treble whine and I was wondering if changing the tubes would diminish it (meaning that tubes can be a source of the nasally whine). Even Fender recommends backing off the treble and gain on some of the "metal" voices.

I too have a Superchamp XD bust mostly use the clean channel since I bought it to practice jazz guitar at home.
However, I use channel 2 (SX) from time to time to practise rock and blues, and I too noticed a sort of hiss (not exactly what your described as "nasality whine") with the voice channels as well as when activating the built in effects.

[bananafist]

You're not picking up any 'high lonesome sound' country radio stations through your amp by mistake are you?