EHX Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai - volume drop

dannybuoy · #1 07-13-2008, 09:09 AM

I just got one of these pedals recently, and while I love it, this issue is driving me nuts. To use it as a looper I set the blend to 50%, which reduces the volume compared to bypass mode. I really want to have it so that the central position is 100% dry + 100% wet, not 50% dry + 50% wet like is now.

Here are some options I thought about:

- Mod the blend pot (probably impossible as I suspect it's just a digital control)
- If there's room, add a boost circuit, switch and knob
- Use a mini Catalinbread clean boost pedal after the SMMH

I'm probably going to go for the last option, but I would like to know if this volume drop issue is causing anybody else a headache and if anyone has done anything to get around it!

OptimusPrime · #2 07-13-2008, 09:20 AM

I had to ditch my EHX Octave Multiplexer because of the volume drop. I know that doesn't help.

RickenBoogie · #3 07-13-2008, 10:08 AM

And I've had no problem with either pedal, but I do run a few different preamps in the chain as well. Maybe that Clean Boost is the answer.

dannybuoy · #4 07-13-2008, 11:24 AM

I think I'm gonna look out for one of those Catalinbread minis rather than try to butcher my pedal. Right now, if I'm grooving away and decide to switch on the SMMH to record a loop, the volume drops, which is a major pain!

roflol · #5 07-14-2008, 03:37 AM

- Mod the blend pot (probably impossible as I suspect it's just a digital control)
from my experience with building pedals thats not going to work. have you checked inside to see if there are any trimpots?

JanusZarate · #6 07-14-2008, 09:43 AM

It's unfortunately a problem with ANY EHX pedal featuring a Blend knob. They all have it. It didn't seem bad on the SMMH, though... maybe it was how I adjusted my rig.

It's partly a consequence of design. A pedal like the MXR Carbon Copy doesn't have this issue with its Mix knob... BUT the Carbon Copy only goes from 0% Wet / 100% Dry to 50% Wet / 50% Dry (wet signal can't be louder than the dry signal). The same occurs with pedals like the Boss DD-6.

I like that the EHX delay pedals let you get delays louder than your dry signal if desired... but I also wish they included a volume knob on any pedal with a Blend knob...

Joe Gress · #7 07-14-2008, 09:49 AM

Huh, I just got mine a few days ago and noticed no volume drop at all.

dannybuoy · #8 07-14-2008, 10:19 AM

Try putting the blend at 50/50, set to loop mode. Turn it on, and the volume drops. You especially notice it when playing loud with a band.

monsterthompson · #9 03-18-2009, 06:39 PM

All - i'm bringing this back from the grave. Is the volume drop only in the loop mode with the 50/50 blend? Any other problems with volume? Any other issues or fixes that have crept up?

wdinc01 · #10 03-18-2009, 06:55 PM

I found it to be noticeable. In fact, I recorded a song with it, and thought the volume drop just really took away from the sound.

Gashaponcito · #11 03-18-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeinsprings

Huh, I just got mine a few days ago and noticed no volume drop at all.

+1

monsterthompson · #12 03-19-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdinc01

I found it to be noticeable. In fact, I recorded a song with it, and thought the volume drop just really took away from the sound.

In what mode did you notice the volume drop? In all applications/modes, or only in the loop mode, as others have indicated?

dannybuoy · #13 03-19-2009, 09:42 AM

It's most apparent in loop mode because the at the central position, it outputs 50% dry signal and 50% effected signal. In loop mode with no loop playing, this results in a volume drop. When having delay echoes adding to the signal you won't perceive a volume drop.

monsterthompson · #14 03-19-2009, 09:45 AM

Ah, that makes sense. Not good sense, but I understand what is happening.

Are the rest of the settings relatively drop free then?

Gashaponcito · #15 03-19-2009, 02:45 PM

the volume in loop mode is hard to manage, I don't use it (as a looper) that much but I have noticed the volume drops, using just the delay its fine you just have to play with the filter and the blend, in my experience if you are going to use very extreme filter settings (6 or 4 o'clock) you need to compensate with more clean signal