What is this ticking noise generated by pedal?

[okcrum]

Here's a thread from basschat, oddly enough referencing a 2012 thread on TB. Conclusion was that the pedal was bad. The noise was not just ticking, but it also was not random or hum. Sounds like a problem inside the pedal.

Is the ticking on both dry and octave channels?

 

[tonemachine]

I just looked up the specs on Pedal Power 2+ and each power output is supposed to be isolated and "prevent ground loops." I'll contact Voodoo labs and MXR tomorrow and post their input.

MXR AND Voodoo Labs got back to me within a couple of days (see their responses below).

After i posted, I left my 3 pedals plugged into consecutive outlets on the PP2+ and the ticking happened once again on some late day. Since originally posting, I noticed that once the ticking is activated, the ticking remains even once I remove cell/lap from the area. I didn't catch that before I posted. It now is pretty clear to me that it is related to cell phone and/or laptop. The pedal can be reset to noiseless by removing and reattaching its power cable.

I've had no ticking for the past week. Also, I now plug the pedal power cords into every other outlet on PP2+ since I noted before that doing this resulted in no ticking...but that might have been coincidence.


MXR / Dunlop's reply:
It hard to say for sure without hearing the noise but from what you have described it sounds like what you might be hearing is the pedal trying to track the noise floor of your setup. The M288 is a very sensitive pedal and will track even quiet noise in your signal. When the pedal creates the octave of the noise floor you can get some strange noise from the pedal.

If it happens again would you be able to send us a recording of the issue?

From Voodoo Labs:

Not sure about the ticking... maybe an intermittent coupled interference/grounding issue. Hopefully the root cause is remedied (even if accidentally).

And yes, you can use the AC courtesy outlet as you have described. You can connect a power strip to the courtesy outlet for use with multiple pedals/effects and their adapters.

It may also be used to power an additional Pedal Power 2 Plus, 4x4, MONDO, ISO-5, Pedal Power Digital or Pedal Power AC.

Note: the courtesy outlet is not intended for use with power amplifiers or other such high power equipment.

Thanks for the inquiry and please let me know if you would like further assistance.

 

[okcrum]

Oooh. Dunlop might be on to something there. Instead of moving the cell phone away when the ticking starts, pull the phone battery to shut it down completely. If the ticks stop then, that would confirm it. The pedal could still be triggering on the smaller and smaller noise pulses as the phone is moved further away.

 

[G.Bisson]

This has occurred at times with my MS-60B in the pedal chain. It appears to be coming from the processor clock getting coupled into the signal stream. A couple things that helped:
1. Ensure the pedal is on an isolated power supply output; no daisy chain. This seems to remove the power supply coupling.
2. I have had to change pedal order or change cables between pedals; some cables seem more susceptible to pickup up this clock than others.
3. Be careful with the gains through your chain - put higher gain devices after your digital pedals if possible. Higher gain in the chain can make the problem appear worse.

I had this same problem with a Zoom pedal and used a Godlyke ground-hound to isolate the pedal on my daisy chain power supply and the clock noise was gone. Went months without noticing the noise until I switched switchups. Isolated power supplies really help clean up noise floor problems that can go undetected until there is a proper alignment of moon, stars, and consumer electronics.