Korg rack tuner in signal chain

Andrew Waegel · Post by **Andrew Waegel** » 1 Apr 2002 8:31 pm

Hello,

So I got this used Korg DTR-2 rack tuner from ebay, popped it in, and lord do I now have a ferocious 60 hz hum where before all was clean and quiet.

I've read that other people have had this problem and took tuner out of the signal chain. Fair enough. What's the best way to do this?

I have a second output on my goodrich volume pedal, but that's an extra cord and I'd love to be able to turn down the guitar and still use the tuner.

Could I simply split the signal out of my guitar
and put one side in the tuner and the other through the rack?

Thanks for the advice!

- Andrew

Jeff Peterson · Post by **Jeff Peterson** » 1 Apr 2002 8:57 pm

...[This message was edited by Jeff Peterson on 05 April 2002 at 08:43 PM.]

jerry wallace · Post by **jerry wallace** » 1 Apr 2002 10:20 pm

Andrew,I had the same problem with my DTR-1..I know there are pros and cons about doing this, but here is what I did to stop the 60 cycle hum..

I got an AC adapter to go on the DTR AC plug and I lifted {removed} the ground lug from the adapter, Hence taking the DTR out of the ground loop.The Hum stopped..I have been using the DTR along with a Hilton volume pedal and a tubfex now for 4 years..I have not experienced any adverse effects from doing this..

Although the DTR has a "mute" switch for silent tuning,I prefer not to have anything in my lineup that I dont have to have..

I went to radio shack and bought an small metal box, 3 female 1/4" jacks and a toggle switch..I wired the jacks on the "A/B" switch box so that I can switch the cord from my pickup to either the DTR or on to the tubefex..

This way, the DTR is completely out of my lineup except when the toggle switch is on its 1/4" jack plug..

I ordered a plastic "steel guitar leg clamp" from George L and I clamp it to the leg like several other units on the market..

I am pleased with the results..

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Jerry Wallace-2001 Zum: D-10,8+6, "98 Zum: D-10,8+8,Nashville 1000,Session 500 ,Session 400 head only amp,Tubefex,ProfexII, Artesia, New Mexico
http://communities.msn.com/jerrywallacemusic

http://www.jerrywallacemusic.com [This message was edited by jerry wallace on 03 April 2002 at 10:23 PM.]

Andrew Waegel · Post by **Andrew Waegel** » 4 Apr 2002 2:37 pm

Thanks, the ground lift did the trick.

- handy andy

Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 5 Apr 2002 7:07 am

I keep mine outta the chain, I take one of the stereo outs on my SE-50 and feed the DTR-1 (the other feeds the pedal), I can tune with the volume off, works for me.

Tom Ensink · Post by **Tom Ensink** » 5 Apr 2002 7:23 am

Andrew,

Even now you've got rid of the hum, be aware that the tuner is stilling killing your sound if your signal goes through the tuner.

Compare the sound if your guitar with and without the tuner, and you will notice a considerable difference.

I took it out of the chain when I heard the difference.

Tom

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[This message was edited by Tom Ensink on 05 April 2002 at 07:24 AM.][This message was edited by Tom Ensink on 05 April 2002 at 07:27 AM.]

Terry Downs · Post by **Terry Downs** » 5 Apr 2002 3:31 pm

Everybody seems to have this problem with the DTR-1 and DTR-2. You must lift the ground pin on the power plug, but some folks (me included) must insulate the tuner chassis from the rack rails to make it totally quiet. You can do that with some Humfrees, a plastic shim for isolation.

I rewired my Goodrich volume pedals so the 3rd jack is connected straight to the input (not a second output) and connect that to the tuner, not through the tuner. I have a preamp before the pedal so loading this line with the tuner is not a problem.

Korg makes a great tuner but it looks like the flux leakage from the power transformer inside the unit is the problem. That's why wall warts work so well. Flux lines can't connect to any perameable media that way, like through a steel chassis to a steel rack.

Regards,
Terry

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Terry Downs
http://nightshift.net
terry@nightshift.net

Roger Miller · Post by **Roger Miller** » 6 Apr 2002 5:15 pm

Keep it out of the chain main reason is service. Those turkeys up there were worthless and I had to actually yell at them because they have no idea what to do when you send things in for service. Six weeks on a tuner like yours and most of the time they were looking for it after they fixed it.

LARRY COLE · Post by **LARRY COLE** » 7 Apr 2002 12:51 am

I use the extra out on my GOODRICH pedal to feed my tuner. I just turn the master volume down in my preamp to tune and if I am having trouble hearing I turn it on while playing to see how I am on pitch. I am using the KORG AT-120.

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LC. WILLIAMS U12, SHO-BUD PRO1,CARVIN TL60

[This message was edited by LARRY COLE on 07 April 2002 at 12:52 AM.][This message was edited by LARRY COLE on 07 April 2002 at 12:53 AM.]