run audio and power together without noise?

SteveC · #1 02-03-2009, 02:22 PM

I am experimenting with effects pedals again and I know I will be using something. Whatever it is it will be powered by my Boss PSA adapter and either an individual pedals board or a multi like the Boss ME-20B.

I will probably have the power and the return as the only 2 cables running back to my amp. I plan to us a wireless which I would daisy-chain of of something.

I know there's pedalsnake, but that seems overkill. Can I just run these 2 cables together without issue? Is there something I can "wrap" one in to avoid interference?

Jimbob Jones · #2 02-03-2009, 02:52 PM

I run power and signal to/from my board on one cable run without any hum issues at all. I wouldn't worry about it. as long as your singal cables are shielded you'll be fine.

slyjoe · #3 02-03-2009, 03:37 PM

What interference are you talking about? Are you running 9V from the amp, or 120V?

SteveC · #4 02-03-2009, 04:54 PM

well, everyone says that you get noise when you run audio and ac power cords next to each other.

JustDavid · #5 02-03-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

well, everyone says that you get noise when you run audio and ac power cords next to each other.

Not everyone.

You CAN get noise from doing that, but it's worth a try. Best form to not do it, but if you have to try to get as much seperation between the cords as you can.

niftydog · #6 02-03-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

well, everyone says that you get noise when you run audio and ac power cords next to each other.

So from that I assume we're talking 120VAC? Not low voltage like slyjoe asked?

This is bad form, and personally I would recommend against it unless you have extremely well shielded signal cables (reputable brand, tight braiding, double shielded). It may or may not manifest as a problem but why take the risk? You might find it works fine for 20 gigs, then the next gig it hums like it's forgotten the words.

Wrapping a cable in some kind of shield sounds like a lot of work for something that's likely to be unreliable. Plus, it has to be terminated at one end to ground. Best to just get decent cables to begin with.

slyjoe · #7 02-03-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niftydog

So from that I assume we're talking 120VAC? Not low voltage like slyjoe asked?

I asked because the OP mentioned pedalsnake - that is a low voltage cable, not AC, that has an adapter for your wall wart on one end and a plug (Boss?) on the other.

Quote:

This is bad form, and personally I would recommend against it unless you have extremely well shielded signal cables (reputable brand, tight braiding, double shielded). It may or may not manifest as a problem but why take the risk? You might find it works fine for 20 gigs, then the next gig it hums like it's forgotten the words.

True, and that last line's a keeper

Quote:

Wrapping a cable in some kind of shield sounds like a lot of work for something that's likely to be unreliable. Plus, it has to be terminated at one end to ground. Best to just get decent cables to begin with.

And you don't need it for DC. AC is another story. Also, if you have to, run an AC line perpendicular, not parallel, to your signal line to minimize the induced field.

SteveC · #8 02-03-2009, 06:50 PM

So, just get a Pedal Snake and be done, huh.

slackinatthebas · #9 02-03-2009, 08:05 PM

i run my cables bundled together with tape. no noise.

i use a CBI 25 foot inst. cable alond with my daisy chain power supply and an extension cord starting about halfway back. i've never had a problem. my guitarists both do the same thing, and none of us ever had any issues, so i don't see how this could be a problem. i've only ever had 1 sound guy ask me if i got noise from it, and i told him i never noticed any. he seemed kinda surprised, but yea...

no noise, no prob!

SteveC · #10 02-03-2009, 08:32 PM

I'll probably try it instead of spending a bunch on a fancy version. I mean, it'll be only a few feet long, and have the return from my pedal board and the little ac cord for my TU-2 that will power the rest of the pedals.

Nyarlathotep · #11 02-03-2009, 08:49 PM

I don't see 9V/signal being a problem. MAYBE 120/240, but not 9V. Its all to do with induced magnetic fields, and I know there are regs in canada at least against running 120/240 power and phone lines close together. There are none (that I am aware of) for 12V systems like doorbells and such, so 9V (or even 18V as well I imagine) should be fine next to your instrument/line level stuff.

slyjoe · #12 02-03-2009, 09:15 PM

It's because it's AC vs DC, not the amount of voltage.

It is still unclear to me which is being run in parallel with the OP's signal cable. AC Cord for a TU-2? What is that?

niftydog · #13 02-03-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slackinatthebas

...i've only ever had 1 sound guy ask me if i got noise from it...

Then I'd be using that guy more often!