Noisy stomp boxes...

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 23 Apr 2005 9:12 am

Maybe one of you tech guys can answer this...I have a couple of old MXR Phase 90s and a Boss CE-3 chorus pedal that make a popping noise as they sweep...it gets faster or slower as the speed is adjusted...I still use them,as the noise is not audible in a track,but you can hear it when the track is soloed...is this the result of old electrolytic caps in the pedals?Thanks-Steve

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 23 Apr 2005 1:29 pm

Steve.............

If the stompt-box has a few years on it, it may very well be a loose cap or something on the PCB.

We have a tendency to be a bit rought with these devices, plus carting them around in pak-seats.

I see that you are in Hendersonville,TN.
If you can get them to me, (I,m in the rivergate area) I'll be glad to take a look at them for you.

Bill

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Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 23 Apr 2005 3:01 pm

Bill,I will be in touch...thanks!

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 24 Apr 2005 2:11 am

Many older effects units were inherently noisy. They used noisy op-amps, poor caps, etc.

Many of the older analog delay devices, of which a chorus is a delay device, that use the "bucket brigade" Analog delay chips, do seem to be noisy.

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 25 Apr 2005 4:25 am

Steve, you didn't say if that noise was always there or if it just started doing this.
Jack is correct. The older stomp boxes I have owned, were noisy(white noise),but did not pop. .........JD

Scott Appleton · Post by **Scott Appleton** » 25 Apr 2005 6:05 pm

I have worn out stop boxes over the years. I think you can overload the imputs on them .. The chips just get crunchy after so many hours of use.
When they get bad I just replace them .. problem solved. I have sent back Ibanez products and had them repaired for not much money. Some come back
and don't sound any better for the trip .. so its like fishing .. some times you get a good one sometimes
you got to throw em back.

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71 Tele, Regal 45
Sho Bud S10 NP
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digitech 2101 FX

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 27 Apr 2005 5:47 am

I didn't buy any of these boxes new,so I can't say whether or not they made this noise when they were new...as I said,they are still quite usable as they are...just curious...thanks!

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 27 Apr 2005 5:28 pm

Steve;
I've noticed over the years that a Stomp~Box Effect will sometimes be noisey if you use the AC~Adaptor rather than the on~board 9-volt battery. (Especially if you go into the Reg. Front IN~PUT Jack of the Amp.) Usually, if you patch into the rear Effects~Loop, the noise will be eliminated when using an AC~Adaptor. I've noticed that almost all Stomp~Boxes are quiet with either hook-up when using the 9-volt battery! This has been my own personal~experience.

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“Big John” Bechtel
’49-’50 Fender T–8 Custom
’65 Re-Issue Fender Twin–Reverb Custom™ 15” Eminence

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 27 Apr 2005 6:23 pm

John...Steurt Smith(Rodney Crowell,Eagles guitar player)told me he used batteries in all his pedals for that very reason...they were quieter than with the adapters...these pedals I have make the same sound with either...it's more of an"electronic"than a ground noise...?Thanks!

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 29 Apr 2005 12:35 pm

Evidently there is a name for this..."clock noise"...time-based effects can develop this...when some of the electroytic caps get old,maybe...