Radial Loopbone Bleed Through :(
 

Any Radial Loopbone users out there?

I am typically a big Radial fan based on my purchases of their J48 D.I. and Big Shot EFX Loop. Since their stuff has always seemed virtually indestructable, I never thought twice about buying a used Loopbone (http://www.tonebone.com/tb-loopbone.htm).

I have a Way Huge Swollen Pickle and EHX Micro POG in Loop 1; MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe, EHX Polyphase and MXR Carbon Copy in Loop 2.

Naturally, I leave either the Swollen Pickle or POG on in Loop 1 even when not using, otherwise what's the point if I need to hit the pedal first and then activate the loop?

If I have ONLY Loop 2 activated though, the pedals in Loop 1 bleed though ... muted, but very noticeable and obvious.

There is no bleed-through when both loops are off. Just bleed from Loop 1, when Loop 1 is off but Loop 2 is on.

I'm obviously disappointed since I thought I was upgrading substantially from the passive Big Shot EFX, with the Loopbone's "Class-A Circuitry", "opto-coupler switching", and high end buffers. I have never experienced bleed-through with the Big Shot EFX though.

I will contact Radial directly. Just trying to establish from other Loopboone users if this is "normal" Loopbone behaviour, whether the seller unloaded a broken unit, and whether this sounds like a possibly easy fix (i.e. inexpensive)? Maybe a new switch/buffer/thingamabob in Loop 1?

Block Diagram: http://www.tonebone.com/tb-loopbone-using.htm



In the meantime, the BigShot EFX is back on my board operating perfectly. Should have left well enough alone!

Cheers!! :)

I'm talking to myself in this thread :), but in case someone reads it and forms an opinion on Radial Engineering because of it ...

I emailed Radial technical support on Saturday, received a reply back first thing Monday (before 9am where their offices are actually). Even though I bought it used, they are going to take care of me. They are guessing that "one of the opto-isolators is leaking some audio."

I am being sent an RA# to send directly to them for repairs, so 100% kudos to them for excellent customer service.

Electricity ... gotta love it.

OK, just to finish this off in case anyone has a similar problem ...

First off, Radial rocks. Customer service was very prompt and eager to help. As it turned out, I discovered the issue on my own, but I'm glad to know they were there to do their job and not leave me hanging.

Anyway, just before packing the Loopbone off to send for repairs, I decided to test everything again.

Quite simply, the problem is that the Radial Loopbone requires a 15V wall-wart adaptor. The EHX Stereo Polyphase only runs on a 24V wall-wart adaptor. Put the Polyphase in Loop 2 and plug those adaptors into the same power strip ... bleed through from Loop 1.

A pain ... but sort if makes sense to me since the adaptors are not grounded.

I also have a delay and chorus pedal in Loop 2 that are powered by a Voodoo Labs PPII and there is no bleed through from Loop 1 using those pedals. I didn't think of testing different pedals in Loop 2 the first time.

As it is, I had already made the decision to sell the Polyphase anyway so problem solved!

Thanks for reading! :)