EHX Micro Pog Pops when turned on or off

DoubleD · #1 12-25-2010, 08:25 AM

My lovely wife picked me up a used EHX micro pog for me for xmas (best wife ever). I just got a moment to try it out. Pretty friggin cool (not sure yet how much I'll get to used it, but it's a fun effect).

Anyway, this thing pops LOUDLY when turned on or off. I can't imagine this being normal. None of my other pedals pop when turned on or off. I'm thinking something is not right with it and I'd like to get it back before the warranty period expires, but I wanted to make sure it's not some known problem with these things and the fix is something simple.

Think I should send it back and pick up another one?

RCCollins · #2 12-25-2010, 08:37 AM

welcome to the wonderful world of true bypass!

DoubleD · #3 12-25-2010, 08:44 AM

Really? So, it's something I have to live with? There is no fixing it?

None of my other pedals do it (Boss OBD3, Carl Martin Opto compressor, crybaby bass wah). I guess they're not true bypass?

Kinda sucks. I won't be able to turn it off and on mid-song like this.

RCCollins · #4 12-25-2010, 08:46 AM

all tbp pedals that use this type of switch are suspect to this popping - sometimes it's more noticeable in certain pedals than others. Your Boss is definitely buffered, and I think the Crybaby is an old school mechanical bypass (like most traditional wah pedals). Not sure about the Carl Martin.

This "pop" sound is, sadly, one of the drawbacks of true bypass switching.

Robertron · #5 12-25-2010, 09:48 AM

It could also be a result of some other pedals you're using, too. I know that a few of my pedals pop REALLY loudly when I'm running into my Digitech Jamman, for example, but they don't pop as loudly when I'm not using the Jamman.

DoubleD · #6 12-25-2010, 11:05 AM

OK. I'll try rearranging the order and see what happens.

So, I should consider this an inherent flaw of this pedal? Or, should I send it back and try another?

RCCollins · #7 12-25-2010, 11:08 AM

some switches seem more prone to popping than others. If you have a warranty, you can inquire with ehx about it. They need to hear that feedback, and i'm sure they'd take an exchange (you'll probably have to cover postage). But it may or may not solve the problem.

JimmyM · #8 12-25-2010, 12:38 PM

won't ehx fix any broken ehx pedal for $15 + shipping? totally worth it if it's broken, imho.

RCCollins · #9 12-25-2010, 12:41 PM

the question is, is a popping switch broken?

DoubleD · #10 12-25-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

the question is, is a popping switch broken?

That's the million dollar question. I guess that and 'do they all do this.'

It came from GC, so I have 30 days (about 20 now) to return it. But if another one is going to do the same, I'll not mess with trying another.

I've read of mods which add a resistor between the input side and ground. Not sure if that's a wise fix, but an option.

The Mouse · #11 12-25-2010, 01:56 PM

I have a Q-Tron that pops like that. Once my pedalboard is plugged-in/ rigged-up I switch the Q-Tron on and off before I switch my amp on. It will only pop once btw.. It's just part of my routine at this stage...

DoubleD · #12 12-25-2010, 02:03 PM

Well, just discovered that if I plug in direct to the pedal and run it direct to the amp, I get no popping. It's quiet and as awesome as I imagined

Previously I had it just after the distortion pedal (Boss OBD3). What about that chaining is causing it to pop?

Robertron · #13 12-25-2010, 03:01 PM

It could be the buffer in the ODB-3. I never really understood why some pedals popped more loudly when chained with certain other pedals.

KimGT99 · #14 12-25-2010, 03:48 PM

Mine doesn't pop or at least I did not notice it yet

. It's last one in the pedal chain.

ampegfuzz · #15 12-25-2010, 06:31 PM

I swear i read somewhere the switch can build a charge and to switch it a bunch to discharge it and it will quiet down. I think i seen it on ggg or byoc. worth a shot. also the micro take a special power adapter make sure to use it.

Bob C · #16 12-25-2010, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampegfuzz

I swear i read somewhere the switch can build a charge and to switch it a bunch to discharge it and it will quiet down.

I've read that on this forum too. I believe it was along the lines of "The first time you switch it on (during the set, or whatever) will be the loudest.

ampegfuzz · #17 12-25-2010, 06:46 PM

Then I'm not crazy......... or am I mmwwaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahaha......ha

RCCollins · #18 12-25-2010, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleD

Well, just discovered that if I plug in direct to the pedal and run it direct to the amp, I get no popping. It's quiet and as awesome as I imagined

Previously I had it just after the distortion pedal (Boss OBD3). What about that chaining is causing it to pop?

it's probably electrical interference of some kind, is my guess.

in any case, if it doesn't pop when you run it at the START of your chain (where an octave usually "should be"), then your problem's solved!

Jazz Ad · #19 12-25-2010, 07:10 PM

A 1 megohm resistor between the signal pegs of the switch will fix the pop.

Bob C · #20 12-27-2010, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

A 1 megohm resistor between the signal pegs of the switch will fix the pop.

Is this a known and guaranteed fix? Are there any drawbacks? I'm wondering why pedal manufacturers aren't incorporating that resistor or other fix into their standard designs. Maybe some are.