Odd Boss pedal hiss

Funkflats11 · #1 09-23-2010, 12:45 PM

Okay, so right now these are my pedals in chain order Boss GEB-7, Boss- OC-2, Bass Big Muff, and a 3leaf Groove Regulator. The GEB-7 is the newest addition. I wanted to run the powersupply using a 1 spot 5 adapter. This works fine for every pedal except the GEB-7, which kinda gives a off a digital hiss.

However, when I used the Boss power adapter that came with it the hiss went away even when chained with the other pedals. Just curious if anyone else had issues similar with Boss pedals?

guermo · #2 09-23-2010, 12:56 PM

I'm curious about this too. I've got a Boss Loop Station RC-2 that does the same thing, emits a digital hiss when using a 1 spot.

guermo · #3 09-27-2010, 02:37 PM

chrisisnotevil · #4 09-27-2010, 02:42 PM

Doesn't the 1spot provide lots more current than a boss adaptor? Maybe that's what's causing it.

guermo · #5 09-27-2010, 03:10 PM

That indeed instantly solved the problem - using the boss PSA adapter. Thank you sir!

guermo · #6 09-27-2010, 03:20 PM

Question then to the masses - I have a boss TU-3 and a SYB-5 on my pedalboard too that work fine with the 1-spot. Is this problem unique to the RC-2?
Thank you!

Pandafist · #7 09-27-2010, 03:22 PM

Too many buffered pedals in your chain would be something to consider.

guermo · #8 09-27-2010, 03:28 PM

Thanks Panda.... can you explain that to me? Not sure what you mean about that. Currently running SYB-5>MXR BOD>BBM>EHX Bassballs>TU-3>VT Bass>RC-2.

Thanks a ton for any insight on this!

dune2k · #9 09-27-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisisnotevil

Doesn't the 1spot provide lots more current than a boss adaptor? Maybe that's what's causing it.

It CAN provide more current if NEEDED.
Current (Ampere) unless Voltage isn't a fixed thing, a circuit might draw different amounts of current under different circumstances (being idle/doing something, ...).
You need a power supply that can at least deliver the minimum amount of current needed. If it can deliver more that's not a problem.

It might have to do with the way the 1spot is built though (switching type vs a simple transformer).

Pandafist · #10 09-27-2010, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guermo

Thanks Panda.... can you explain that to me? Not sure what you mean about that. Currently running SYB-5>MXR BOD>BBM>EHX Bassballs>TU-3>VT Bass>RC-2.

Thanks a ton for any insight on this!

Boss pedals have buffers that affect your signal even when the pedal is off. Stacking too many of them can suck tone or add unwanted noise.
That's kinda why people tend to prefer true bypass pedals.

I'm sure there's someone who can explain it better, but that's the gist of it.

chrisisnotevil · #11 09-28-2010, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pandafist

Boss pedals have buffers that affect your signal even when the pedal is off. Stacking too many of them can suck tone or add unwanted noise.
That's kinda why people tend to prefer true bypass pedals.

I'm sure there's someone who can explain it better, but that's the gist of it.

Poor buffers will wreak havoc on your signal, but Boss pedals have a pretty goodbuffer so i wouldn't expect them to cause this problem. As for the current I have no idea why I said that, I blame the Whisky.

guermo · #12 09-28-2010, 10:00 AM

thanks though chris, just using the boss adapter made the hiss go away immediatley, so it must have had something to do with the one spot.

Swimming Bird · #13 09-28-2010, 11:09 AM

Did you try running only the GEB-7 with the 1-spot?

I guess, does it matter to you why this is going on, or are you happy with your current situation?

DaZombieWoof · #14 09-28-2010, 11:16 AM

Boss standard PSA is a conventional linear power supply. The One is a switching power supply which is more compact and efficient but is doing it by switching at high frequency. Noise could, in theory, come in via the supply. This could be a clever function of Boss designing their pedal to be particularly intolerant of power supplies not purchased from them.

Swimming Bird · #15 09-28-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaZombieWoof

This could be a clever function of Boss designing their pedal to be particularly intolerant of power supplies not purchased from them.

"Clever" in the Apple/proprietary-format-fascism sort of way.

IME Boss isn't evil or even particularly misguided. All of my boss pedals have worked fine with both a 1-spot and a voodoo labs PP2+. Now that I think of it, I used to run a GEB-7 on a 1-spot with no problem.

Funkflats11 · #16 09-28-2010, 07:15 PM

I just tried the GEB-7 by itself with a each power supply pedal and it sounds fine. However, when in a chain it starts sounding like I'm entering the matrix. Note: each pedal I add the chain the matrix sound get stronger. I also tested on two different amps.

I really like have an EQ pedal and don't really want drop money on a new one. So I dunno I am currently thinking about getting my pedal modded eventually by Humprey audio just to see if it cuts down on the noise or improves my pedal. Anyone every get pedals modded by them?

guermo · #17 09-28-2010, 10:18 PM

Huh, so inconclusive evidence so far. For me, changing to the original boss power supply worked perfect, for others the One Spot works fine.