Hi everyone, I've finally solved it...and taken a couple of extra days just to be sure!
There were two problems:
-the first I was hitting s-gear with a very low input level signal (-18 dBu instead of -18dBfs) ...Amplitube sounds better just because it has a higher input gain level by default.
- The second has been more difficult to spot: my old (LCD) MONITOR power supply is clearly sending some high pitched electrical noises...more evidents and annoying on overdriven patches.
Now I have downloaded the Studio Rats collection patches and they sound GREAT as they should do.
Tons of sustain and no more weird noises.
I apologize for my ugly english...and hope my experience may help someone else.
Have a nice day.
P.s. Thanks Mike for your reply, I've really appreciated it.

dmagon wrote:

Hi everyone, I've finally solved it...and taken a couple of extra days just to be sure!
There were two problems:
-the first I was hitting s-gear with a very low input level signal (-18 dBu instead of -18dBfs) ...Amplitube sounds better just because it has a higher input gain level by default.
- The second has been more difficult to spot: my old (LCD) MONITOR power supply is clearly sending some high pitched electrical noises...more evidents and annoying on overdriven patches.
Now I have downloaded the Studio Rats collection patches and they sound GREAT as they should do.
Tons of sustain and no more weird noises.
I apologize for my ugly english...and hope my experience may help someone else.
Have a nice day.
P.s. Thanks Mike for your reply, I've really appreciated it.

Thanks for reporting. Indeed, digital noise can be a problem, especially if you are working in a small space and seated close to the computer screen or keyboard. Some experimentation with seating angle/position can often reduce or solve this kind of problem.

A big problem for guitars (and apparently also for radio astronomers) is robot lawn mowers. I'm lucky enough to have one of these cutting my lawn during the summer, but unfortunately the electromagnetic noise radiated from the boundary wire is horrendous. I've had a lengthy exchange with Husqvana about the problem, I find it hard to believe that a consumer product can be allowed to radiate so much noise, it seems that robot mowers are not particularly well governed by the current consumer standards - a pity.

If we could see the electrical noise in our homes we'd be astonished.

And we keep bringing more and more electrical items into the fray, making it tougher for products that are sensitive to such things to perform cleanly. It's a good topic to discuss, but not one most people consider because it's invisible and largely unknown.

elambo wrote:

It's a good topic to discuss, but not one most people consider because it's invisible and largely unknown.

I recall back at the beginning of the 90's when the FCC and EU regulations came into force for consumer 'class B computing devices'. For designers, it was a steep learning curve to reduce the radiated noise from digital electronic devices. I paid several visits to the EMC test house and a few PCB redesigns before getting the Marshall JMP-1 compliant.

Whist it was a struggle to make the transition, after a few years the benefits became clear. Probably we can all remember the 'dat-da-da-dat' noise through the speakers whenever a mobile phone was connecting. Towards the end of the 90's you didn't hear that anymore.

Things are largely better now for audio, with some exceptions. Cabling, earthing and proximity are still important considerations when planning a recording space.

Previous JMP-1 owner here - great device! Recently, I saw another developer (or two) releasing a JMP-1 model. Given that you designed it, I think it'd be an amazing addition to S-Gear. It'll look great in the rack and pair exceptionally well with a 9200 100/100 dual monoblock tube amp emulation.