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Darkglass B3K.....Ok, I get it!

M

MGR

Inactive
Jan 18, 2015
1,797
1,325
Bronx, NY
#1
Just received my B3K and right off the bat it sounds absolutely stellar and perfect for my needs. My only real gripe is that it seems noisy compared to my other OD's. I'm powering it with an MXR DC brick, so I wonder if it needs something a little better?
 
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#3
mmbongo said:
Welcome to the club :)

And yes, any noise issues from these is caused by a bad power source 99% of the time.
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Thanks. It's weird because none of my other pedals have a problem with the DC brick. But, I have read all about the B3K and it's power/noise issues so I'm not super surprised. Oh well, I'll live with it for not. Bongo, do you know of a better power source that eliminates the noise? Maybe the PP2?
 
#4
I wouldn't say the B7K (sorry that's the closest I got) is even close to being the noisiest overdrive I own by any stretch, but yes I do know when it's on if I am not playing. I can't say the noise has ever been much on a issue in a live band setting though. It's way way way below that threshold.
 
#5
And isolated power might definitely help. But for me - I just live with the small amount of noise that it has (knowing fully that it will only ever bother me in the practice space by myself).
 
#6
My b3k in the mail and should probably get here tomorrow (fingers crossed). Based on all the enthusiasm about it in these forums, I can't see how getting it is not going to be a disappointment. You guys are so helplessly enthused about it that by now unless it also brings me coffee does the dishes afterwards - I really can't see how it's going to live up :-)

Regarding pedal-power. I've just recently got a Cioks-Link Adam and Schiso, based on the recommendation of someone in this forum. It's a great combination, can "grow with you" (due to the "link" line's modularity) and I have 0 noise issues.
 
#7
Awesome! Hum is usually caused by bad power supplies. If it's hiss then the issues could be several (try it by itself without other pedals, if the issue persists try switching cables or facing away from th amp) many times hiss can be caused by small amounts of feedback occurring from your pick ups facing the speaker.

If you have further questions or need extra help reducing the noise to the minimum just hit me up, I'm here to help.
 
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#9
Darkglass said:
Awesome! Hum is usually caused by bad power supplies. If it's hiss them the issues could be several (try it by itself without other pedals, if the issue persists try switching cables or facing away from th amp) many times hiss can be caused by small amounts of feedback occurring from your pick ups facing the speaker.

If you have further questions or need extra help reducing the noise to the minimum just hit me up, I'm here to help.
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Thanks Doug. It definitely hissed, but I was standing very near it with it up at arm level. The hiss went away when I turned to the side. But it does definitely hum. Not a huge sound, and like Mosfed said, not above the tolerance threshold. It's probably the DC brick since everyone seems to have the same problem when they use it with less than perfect power supplies.
 
#10
MGR said:
Thanks. It's weird because none of my other pedals have a problem with the DC brick. But, I have read all about the B3K and it's power/noise issues so I'm not super surprised. Oh well, I'll live with it for not. Bongo, do you know of a better power source that eliminates the noise? Maybe the PP2?
Click to expand...

Yeah any good isolated power supply would do it, like a PP2. I use a Decibel11 Hot Stone. If you have a OneSpot or other good quality wall wart, try powering the B3K (and only the B3K) with that and see if the noise goes away.
 
#11
mmbongo said:
Yeah any good isolated power supply would do it, like a PP2. I use a Decibel11 Hot Stone. If you have a OneSpot or other good quality wall wart, try powering the B3K (and only the B3K) with that and see if the noise goes away.
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Thanks Bongo. I appreciate it man. I don't have a one-spot, but I've been meaning to upgrade my power and the local GC has a used PP2, so rather than chase my tail, I think I'll just get that one.
 
#12
Congrats on the b3k!

Only time I noticed any noise with my Vintage Deluxe was when I had a bunch of digital pedals daisy chained with a one spot. After I got the voodoo labs PP2+ all my noise issues were solved.

Post some sound clips when you get the time.
 
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#13
ProfFrink said:
My b3k in the mail and should probably get here tomorrow (fingers crossed). Based on all the enthusiasm about it in these forums, I can't see how getting it is not going to be a disappointment. You guys are so helplessly enthused about it that by now unless it also brings me coffee does the dishes afterwards - I really can't see how it's going to live up :)

Regarding pedal-power. I've just recently got a Cioks-Link Adam and Schiso, based on the recommendation of someone in this forum. It's a great combination, can "grow with you" (due to the "link" line's modularity) and I have 0 noise issues.
Click to expand...
Dude, I think you're gonna love it. The term "brutality and clarity" definitely applies. No other pedal of mine has the sheer attack and balls of the B3K. I don't know if the B3K scoops, pumps or ejects any frequencies, but it's making me happy again to use my P bass with distortion.
 
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#14
DrewM85 said:
Congrats on the b3k!

Only time I noticed any noise with my Vintage Deluxe was when I had a bunch of digital pedals daisy chained with a one spot. After I got the voodoo labs PP2+ all my noise issues were solved.

Post some sound clips when you get the time.
Click to expand...
Thanks man! Clips will be hard because I've spent so much money on pedals, I've neglected to buy a digital recorder!
 
#17
MGR said:
Thanks. It's weird because none of my other pedals have a problem with the DC brick. But, I have read all about the B3K and it's power/noise issues so I'm not super surprised. Oh well, I'll live with it for not. Bongo, do you know of a better power source that eliminates the noise? Maybe the PP2?
Click to expand...

Voodoo Labs, dead quiet.

Welcome to the club ;)
 
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