Does anyone here use effects?

Thunderscreech · #1 10-29-2008, 08:03 PM

And have radio signals pop up in their chain?

made you look at my thread, didn't I?

For a while, my board was free of radio tomfoolery. But I put my 105Q on, and now comes the radio jibba jabba. I only really hear it with the Little Big Muff engaged (which is most of the time

).

I'm using an Ampeg BA-115 SP, and have pretty long cables from the bass to board and amp.

My board for observation purposes:

I mean, it's not a really huge issue, I just want to know what causes it and stuff

rratajski · #2 10-29-2008, 08:11 PM

It's the fabric. You're picking up 1974's radio signals.

You said it's mostly Foghat and Frampton, right?

Thunderscreech · #3 10-29-2008, 08:56 PM

That was the only fabric at the store that the velcro would stick to. They said they'd give us a discount if we bought it all. I was for reupholstering my car with it, but my dad was like "no."

**TheMutt** · #4 10-29-2008, 09:00 PM

The Little Big Muff that I had would do that every now and again. Usually happened when I was using a power source that did not have correct grounding, or without a line conditioner.

niftydog · #5 10-29-2008, 09:13 PM

Wah pedals are notorious for this - it could actually be that the muff is just making the symptoms worse.

Radio waves in and of themselves are not usually audible - even if they are being 'received' by a pedal. What makes them audible is the parasitic existence of a simple radio receive know as a detector - in simple terms, this is a simple diode.

Diode action can occur in connectors that are oxidised - you could try cleaning all your jacks and plugs. You should also make sure all your cables are in good order with all the shields properly connected.

Thunderscreech · #6 10-29-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niftydog

Wah pedals are notorious for this - it could actually be that the muff is just making the symptoms worse.

Radio waves in and of themselves are not usually audible - even if they are being 'received' by a pedal. What makes them audible is the parasitic existence of a simple radio receive know as a detector - in simple terms, this is a simple diode.

Diode action can occur in connectors that are oxidised - you could try cleaning all your jacks and plugs. You should also make sure all your cables are in good order with all the shields properly connected.

...which explains why, when I built that crystal radio in 2nd grade, they had a random diode stuck on there...

The wah pedal is used, so it could stand for a good cleaning with some contact cleaner. And the cables. Thanks!

niftydog · #7 10-29-2008, 09:34 PM

I think anything based on that cry baby / vox wah circuit is just prone to picking up noise regardless of whether the connectors are clean or not. It's just a quirk of the component selection.

Bassplayer_479 · #8 10-29-2008, 09:51 PM

Almost totally unrelated, but my favorite local band moved their practice spot to the bassist's house, located 100 yards from the local oldies station. Went over the other day to hang out during the jam, this is a alt./prog/hardcore metal band mind you. One of their songs ends on an abrupt, intense note...and..."Baby Come Back" comes blaring through a JCM900...right at the chorus...

well...maybe you had to be there...

KarateKid25 · #9 10-29-2008, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderscreech

My board for observation purposes:

Hey! Thats a good use for a Holy Grail

fretlessman71 · #10 10-30-2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassplayer_479

Almost totally unrelated, but my favorite local band moved their practice spot to the bassist's house, located 100 yards from the local oldies station. Went over the other day to hang out during the jam, this is a alt./prog/hardcore metal band mind you. One of their songs ends on an abrupt, intense note...and..."Baby Come Back" comes blaring through a JCM900...right at the chorus...

well...maybe you had to be there...

No, I'm giggling about the scene as we speak. Bet they don't rehearse over THERE anymore....

basste · #11 10-30-2008, 12:29 AM

That could be the way you power your 105Q. I've had a big problem of noise and radio when i powered it with ARTEC power supply. No problem with other pedals, but the 105Q never worked well with. Noise + radio show was as loud as bass sound ! I ripped off the ARTEC and replaced it with a Harley Benton POWERPLANT. No more problem, good sound and silence !!

rratajski · #12 10-30-2008, 04:59 AM

I still stand firmly by the fabric, my friend.

Let us know how things go after looking at your wires and doing some wiggle/touch tests and giving them a solid cleaning!

Tomvelsor will probably say it's the EHX pedal

hahahaha. Zing! Gotcha, buddy! Zap!

Bassplayer_479 · #13 10-30-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

No, I'm giggling about the scene as we speak. Bet they don't rehearse over THERE anymore....

Actually, they still do. Apparently it's easier to deal with the radio then move back to one of the other houses, with less space...but man, funniest moment ever...the drummer even started singing along.

lowbass68 · #14 10-30-2008, 05:25 PM

I have had this happen rarely when engaging various distortions at high gain. It seemed to always come down to the power supply. I made a battery to Boss adapter so I can unplug the DC and plug my battery into the pedals DC adapter without removing the pedal.