profex problem

Jonathan Gregg · Post by **Jonathan Gregg** » 6 Jul 2001 9:18 am

recently my profex II has been acting up, with the volume fading intermittently and even disappearing altogether. it seems to respond to having something unplugged and replugged, like the input or the tuner.
anyone ever have this problem, and any suggestions?

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 6 Jul 2001 12:07 pm

I wonder if the power transformer (wall wart) is going bad??

However, are you sure it's the Profex II or the power amp?? Have you isolated it to the Profex II. If not, try to isolate it to either the power amp (or speakers) or the Profex II. Also try different interconnect cables between the Profex II and the power amp and also different cord from the guitar (plug the guitar directly in bypassing any volume pedal or external effects units).

Last, you can try a "factory reset" on the Profex II. This seems to fix a lot of flakey problems with the unit. **However, you MUST have a cache card (memory card) with your user programs on them as the factory reset will erase any user programs.**

Jonathan Gregg · Post by **Jonathan Gregg** » 6 Jul 2001 1:03 pm

well, I have a Nashville 400, and I am plugging in to the profex and going from one of the outputs in the back into the instrument input on the front of the amp. (btw, I'd appreciate directions on alternative wiring schemes, bypassing the preamp in the 400 --I'm not too swift about the finer points of send, input, etc.)
anyway, when I go directly into the amp and don't use the profex, it's fine, so I'm pretty definite that it's the profex. how can I diagnose if it is the wall wart? also, is it possible to obtain a blank cache card? my unit came without one, but has a lot of what I assume to be the newman presets already in it, with names like jeff #1 and #2, emmons 65, etc. am I correct in that assumption?
sorry for the rudimentary questions, and thanks for the help.

Carl Dvorcek · Post by **Carl Dvorcek** » 6 Jul 2001 1:30 pm

Jonathan: According to Peavey, the correct way to utilize the Profex II is to plug your instrument into the "Signal Input" jack on the front of the unit and then take the output of the unit and plug it into the "Power Amp" input on the back of your amp, assuming the 400 has one, I can't remember. This, in effect, bypasses all functions of the amplifier, and rightly so. The Profex II is a preamp in itself and therefore, you don't need the 400's preamp overdriving the signal and possibly clipping it to the point of signal loss or distortion. I'm using a Session 500 and it works great. I agree that either your "wall wart" is failing, or something is hooked up wrong. As for the "RAM" card, Peavey doesn't have any but they told me I could use a ROLAND MC-512E. I ordered one from Musicians Friend ($99.00) and it worked great. You get an error the first time you turn it on saying it's "Not a Peavey Cartridge". However, after you initialize it, it works just fine. And finally, it sounds as though you already have the Jeff Newman presets on your machine. You either need a RAM card to save them to or you need to interface it with your computer and upload the settings to your computer. It's a relatively painless operation provided you have a midi cable and some software like Cakewalk or Power Tracks Pro.

Hope this helps,
Carl

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 6 Jul 2001 2:04 pm

The Power Amp in, is the jack on the the back of the Nashville 400.

Try it in that configuration and see what happens. You have a Left/Mono and a Right output on the Profex II. You could change to the alternate output jack, that you normally use, and see what happens too.
There is an input gain pot and an output gain pot on the Profex II. Run them through the full range a couple of times to "clean" them.

As far as the cache card, you should have one anyway. There is a battery in the Profex II that is in there to maintain the user memory when the unit is powered off. If that battery ever fails you will lose all of the user programs. "Edsel Murphy" (Murphy's Law) is going to pop up one of these days and you are going to be S.O.L. unless you have the programs backed up.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 6 Jul 2001 2:21 pm

I seem to have a lot of trouble with plugs and jacks not making good contact and causing problems like this. I recently bought a gadjet called a "Conductool" that is made to clean 1/4" plugs and jacks. It seems to really do a good job. I just leave the thing in my Pack-a-seat so its always handy. They are available from Musicians Friend and Stewart McDonald and sell for around $25.00.

Jonathan Gregg · Post by **Jonathan Gregg** » 6 Jul 2001 4:10 pm

thanks a lot, guys. much appreciated.

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 6 Jul 2001 7:21 pm

Take the top off (six screws) and look at the battery on the PC board. Make sure it's not leaking or growing "blue fuzz" on it. If it is, clean the board with a Q-tip and denatured alcohol, then get the battery replaced ASAP.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 10 Jul 2001 6:21 am

Sorry for my delay in responding to your questions, but it seems like everyone's input has covered your questions here. However, if I can assist from the factory I will be glad to do so.

Our U.S. toll free consumer number is 1-877-732-8391. I'll be glad to help.

Mike Brown
Peavey Electronics Corporation

Larry Phleger · Post by **Larry Phleger** » 18 Jul 2001 7:07 am

If you haven't found a "RAM" card, you might try Scotty. I bought mine from him with the Newman programs already loaded.