MXR Blowtorch loud POP noise

mouthmw · #1 10-27-2011, 09:46 AM

I borrowed a blowtorch from a friend for a few days, to test it out and perhaps exchange it for my Swollen Pickle.
I dig the sounds, synthy and very focused, would be a nice addition to my board. BUT.
When I switch it ON, it does a loud pop noise. The worst is when things are completely quiet and I don't play any notes. If I turn it on then, pow, it pops annoyingly. It's definitely very loud, after I tested it at home, and noticed it will get awfully loud when I will crank the amp for live play. Sounds like a huge deal breaker.

I tested it with and without my board and it makes no difference, so it's not the cables, it's not my other pedals. Every other pedal is completely noise free.
I read someone said it's because it's true-bypass. That sounds like bull to me, because I have a few true bypass pedals on my board and they are dead quiet. Including my Swollen Pickle, Green Rhino and even Digitech and Boss pedals. Another MXR pedal I use, Phase 90, also dead quiet but those last few are not true bypass, yes, I know.

I tested it with 2 different adapters and with 2 9V batteries because I thought maybe it was my adapter. Same thing.

I actually run it on 12V adapter because I don't have 18V one and it sounds good to me. But then again, using it with batteries didn't solve the problem. So I guess that can't be it either. And I read someone on this forum uses 12V too and prefers it that way.

Has anyone had this problem with blowtorch? Sounds like a huge deal breaker at this point, and looks like I'll be keeping my Swollen Pickle and be returning the blowtorch even though I really dig it for now.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #2 10-27-2011, 11:16 AM

Sounds like bull or not, any true bypass pedal is susceptible to those loud pops. Nothing to do with the Blowtorch itself- mine popped less often than most of my other true bypass pedals. It may have a static buildup- try pressing the pedal on and off repeatedly a good number of times and see if the pop noise is reduces.

I also wouldn't run it at 12v....

mouthmw · #3 10-27-2011, 11:21 AM

The pop noise does seem to reduce a bit after pusing it on/off a couple of times, but it pretty much gets loud after not touching it for a while and then turning it on again.
Also, I'm not sure if it's because I cover it, but if I play notes, it's less prominent. Again, I'm not sure how it's in a loud band setting.

It works fine on 12V, besides, I tried it with 2 batteries, and there was no difference.

I guess I'll give it a try with a band tomorrow, but it's kind of disappointing considering all of my pedals are quiet and don't make a sound when being switched on.

L-A · #4 10-27-2011, 12:35 PM

12V? Strange decision.

It's a 9V circuit, with the Torch button being a +9V boost. I'd expect a bit of strange behavior if it runs 12.

I have the true bypass pop on mine, but it's not noticeable in a band setting.

rockstarbassist · #5 10-27-2011, 01:33 PM

My Xotic Bass BB does this too. It's my 2nd one, and the previous one didn't have this issue. Sucks, but am sending it off to get looked at.

mouthmw · #6 10-27-2011, 01:47 PM

Ahh sucks man. It's probably true bypass switch related, yea?

jgroh · #7 10-27-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mouthmw

Ahh sucks man. It's probably true bypass switch related, yea?

Yeah probably. I had a DHA VT1-MK3 Tube Overdrive pedal and loved the tones I got but could not take the pop when I wanted to switch it off at a gig. It would freakin P O P!!! Even if I stepped on the switch a bunch of times. It was a deal breaker for me.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #8 10-27-2011, 02:04 PM

This thread reminded me of something funny- I was having a bypass pop problem with one of my Xotic X-Blenders for a while. I looped the popping sound as a rhythm/snapping sound to play over, and used an MXR Blowtorch to solo in the song, which incidentally didn't pop at all

(not the best song, but here's a link just to hear the popping sound at the beginning- "Bypass" Solo Bass Looping Piece - YouTube)