New to the forum...question about a Tourmaster

[Guitarshreda]

So about 6 months ago I purchased a Tourmaster, and I couldn't be happier with it. The thing sounds amazing, it's way to much for what I need, but I really don't care about that either.

My question is about the effects loop. I've recently purchased a Pod HD500 and planned to use it via the 4 Cable Method, but when I do this I get a very loud/annoying hum. I noticed that whenever I plug anything into the effects loop I get a hum (even a battery powered pedal). I tried the HumX, but that didn't get rid of anything.

Has anyone experienced this? Any solutions that people can offer?

 

[Len Rabinowitz]

I have never had any trouble with my Tourmaster loop. I have run a regular POD in there with no problem. My guess would be a bad tube for the loop or maybe a bad cable somewhere. Possibly the series/parallel switch might make a difference. Also make sure you have your levels right- "unity gain" I think the call it. I would try it in a regular configuration before I wient to the four cable. See if you still get the hum with that.

 

[Guitarshreda]

Len, thanks for the reply.

I have tried it just in the effects loop. And I've tried pedals in the effects loop. I still get the hum. It is very noticeable when I shut off the effects loop as there is no longer the hum.

It may be a gain unity problem, although I have no clue where my levels should be set at for the POD (which could be part of the problem). How should I have the FX send and return on the amp set? I read that the return should be all the way up on the amp, is the right?

I do notice that the hum comes and goes as I mess around with those levels. I'm guessing that I'm missing something as I've never used an fx loop until now, and never done anything with the 4 CM until I got the POD...

 

[Len Rabinowitz]

I can't speak for the POD. The Tourmaster manual basically says to get things so that the volume is the same when you kick in the loop as without it, unless you are using the loop for a boost.

I keep both my send and return levels at about 3 o'clock (facing the back of the amp) but I use a different set up.

I'd explore the input/output volume relationships you have going on. Sounds like it is not a problem with the loop itself.

You might want to try opening up the amp and swapping tubes- see if it is a bad loop tube.

Could be a bad or poor quality cable as well.

I would read both the tourmaster manual about the loop and the POD manual about using it in a loop *very carefully.* It can get tricky when you are using something like an amp modeler in there.

 

[Len Rabinowitz]

Try also plugging the POD into a different outlet. Might be a grounding problem.

 

[Guitarshreda]

What types of cables would you recommend? As I said this problem isn't just the POD but any effects pedal that is being placed into the loop. For example, my EQ pedal (Boss GE-7) also gives me a hum in the loop. Has me thinking that it may be the cables...

 

[sinfish]

It is almost always the cables. Swap them out (including the one going into the head) and see if it is still there. .

 

[Len Rabinowitz]

I like Mogami cables.

 

[3 Mile Stone]

Shreda,

Play a couple of riffs to set a volume. Plug a pedal into the loop, but don't have the effect engaged, turn it off with the footswitch. While banging an open chord with your right hand, un-plug and replug in the pedal in the loop by pulling one of the cables out (I think the send) and listen for volume differences. Adjust the send and return level to where you don't hear a volume increase or decrease. Unity gain is achieved!

 

[Len Rabinowitz]

I am still putting my money on the gain staging. Let us know.

 

[3 Mile Stone]

I am still putting my money on the gain staging. Let us know.

Yea, good call Len. I think that is worth looking at for sure.

 

[Audioholic]

are you using the same electrical outlet for amp and FX? If not, try it.

 

[Len Rabinowitz]

I am still putting my money on the gain staging. Let us know.

Yea, good call Len. I think that is worth looking at for sure.

I have run my POD in the loop. It works, but you are adding at least one level of input/output controls. Plus, maybe it is modeling a noisy amp? I don't know the POD HD.

Cables and grounding could also be doing this, tubes too maybe...