Effects loop buzzzzz

  • Thread starter Thread starter PBGas
  • Start date Start date
PBGas

PBGas

Well-known member
Hey Gents,

I'm running my gear through the serial effects loop on my Einstein. I'm using super high quality cables. I've also tried balanced cables as well.
I've tried a couple of options on running effects with my Einstein. I borrowed a friends pedal board and I get buzzing through the loop.
I've tried my G-system both through the loop by itself and using the 4 cable method. Each time I have an annoying buzz. I've also switched cables, switched guitars and run an APC power supply which makes sure that the voltage is clean.

Is there something wrong with my Einstein loop? I realize that there is going to be some noise with a higher gain amp but this is a bit annoying.

Any ideas or help is appreciated!

:)
 
I'm going to try a set of balanced cables as well and see what happens.

Don't think it is a ground loop because basically it's only 2 plugs I am running and both through a super high quality power bar. Could still be the cabling....I'll try.

Thx for the advice.

;)
 
You can use the best cables ever made and still have a ground loop. A ground loop does not happen because of bad cables ;)

If the hum remains you might need some kind of line isolation box like Palmer makes them.
 
It is most DEFINITELY a ground loop! I had the same problem running my G System/4 cable method with my Herbert. You need to run an ISO box like the Ebtech and you will solve the problem. Loved alot about the G system but that was one thing I hated about it along with TC's total lack of support. I wound up using a Decimator Pro Rack G as well to eliminate the floor noise too after I corrected the ground loop. I finally kicked the G System to the curb & went with an Axe-Fx in the loop and could not be happier. Cheers & good luck!
 
Connect the send directly with the return with a short cable and turn the loop on and off. If the buzz still occurs, something's wrong with the amp.

Try running all effects in front of the amp. If it's still there, the buzz comes from the effects.

Do you use different power outlets for the amp and your effects devices? If you run different pedals at the same time, do they have dedicated power supplies, respectively? If not, use only one pedal with one supply and check if it's still buzzing. If yes: buzzing pedal or power supply. No: ground loop hum between two effects' power supplies or digital and analog effects using one power supply. For instance, I used a Ibanez AD9 Analog Delay and a BOSS DD-5 Digital Delay with one wallwart adapter. Big bad hum. Have a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power II now, which has isolated outputs.
Other example: I had a Korg 9V power adapter (originally for some keyboard I guess), which supplied 600 mA, so I figured I could use it for more fx pedals than the BOSS PSA with 200 mA. Good idea. But it created a terrible buzz when I had one certain pedal in the chain, a Peterson tuner. All other pedals liked it.

It gets all complicated once you use different wall-powered devices. But there are ways to solve these problems. I run 12 fx pedals, one rack unit and a MIDI controller and it took me quite some time to figure out the perfect combination of power supplies. I have no problems with buzz or hum. I use the Pedal Power with its eight isolated outs and another multi-out adapter for the 9 V stuff, a 12 V and an 18 V adapter and 230 V for MIDI board and obviously the amp.

You'll have to take your time to figure this out, but it's all logical and interesting, too.


By the way, using balanced cables doesn't make any difference, since the amp and its loops are unbalanced. You don't change that by using balanced cables.
 
Thx a bunch for the tips, gents. I think I'm going to bring my G-System back. Mine also keeps defaulting to turning off the insert loop, even when hard set on the unit and via the USB. There is a problem with the unit as well.

What I'm going to do is go the pedal route and run one of those Ebtech hum eliminators as well as a pedal power 2.

Should work much nicer.
:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top