Feedback Loop Killing Pedals?

bobbass4k · #1 03-23-2010, 10:21 AM

Lately i've noticed my mastotron has been sounding a little listless, quite flat and no sizzle, I run it in my feedback looper occasionaly, Is it conceivable feedbacking it is killing it? Off hand id've definitley said no, but It uses cheap components (has those really tiny caps), is it possible they're being damaged? Also noticed my bad monkey (which i now use solely for feedbacking) not sounding as dirty.

Emibass · #2 03-23-2010, 10:31 AM

feedback may lead to real damage, so yes it can damage your pedal. IMHO

megadan · #3 03-23-2010, 10:33 AM

Interesting question.

I use my Polish Love in a feedback loop and last week I had to replace the IC, it had lost all it's dirt and volume.

But at the time I suspected that it had been fried by a bad power supply after I lent it out.

That being said, in theory a feedback loop shouldn't damage the pedal. Many pedals use feedback loops as part of their circuit design.

Deluge Of Sound · #4 03-23-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emibass

feedback may lead to real damage, so yes it can damage your pedal. IMHO

Uh, what?

megadan · #5 03-23-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emibass

feedback may lead to real damage, so yes it can damage your pedal. IMHO

What does "real damage" mean? I don't think you've sussed out your agrument here.

Awesomenaut · #6 03-23-2010, 10:36 AM

I've seen this question asked on noise forums (where a lot of people rely on feedback loops for their sounds) and the EE guys that hang out over there all agreed that running a feed back loop will not damage your pedals.

I'm no EE but I don't see how a floop could damage a pedal...

superbassman2000 · #7 03-23-2010, 10:47 AM

does it only sound lifeless in the feedback loop? how does it sound while not connected to the feedback pedal?

bobbass4k · #8 03-23-2010, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

does it only sound lifeless in the feedback loop? how does it sound while not connected to the feedback pedal?

It sounds lifeless on it's own, it sort of sounds like an active bass with a dying battery if you know that sound, like it's trying but then just gives up, if i put the RAT before it it sounds great, which makes me think it's lost some of it's gain

Happynoj · #9 03-23-2010, 12:52 PM

Are you running it off batteries?

Emibass · #10 03-24-2010, 01:58 AM

sorry guys, my mistake, I just saw the feedback word and from all my experience it´s only causing damage but you´re not talking the same thing.