Voodoo Lab

Hi.
Pedal Switcher noise problems, extremely noisy stage. Large venue, house system and staff. Unreal emf, rf levels. I can shunt 40' of cable and have the amp silent. Guitar > cable > amp with guitar vol at zero is very quiet. Turn up the guitar and mute it, very noisy!! Pickups "picking up" lots of noise ..... The problem is, in this environment, the Pedal Switcher also picks up all this non-power source related interference or noise, regardless of guit vol, Pedal Switcher seems to be an unshielded link. How can I shield the Pedal Switcher, or is this impossible?
Thanks

The Pedal Switcher chassis is connected to audio ground, so it is in fact shielded quite well.

What are you running in the loops of the Pedal Switcher? Are you using the Insert at all? Do you have this problem with all Pedal Switcher Loops bypassed? Is there any difference using the Input vs. the Buffer? How are you powering the Pedal Switcher? Is the Pedal Switcher mounted on a board that is conductive or is the chassis touching anything else that is metal?

JohnClark wrote:What are you running in the loops of the Pedal Switcher?

1 - tube screamer, dirt box
2 - tuner, tremelo
3 - acoustic modeler
4 - delay

JohnClark wrote: Are you using the Insert at all?

No

JohnClark wrote:Do you have this problem with all Pedal Switcher Loops bypassed?

Yes

JohnClark wrote: Is there any difference using the Input vs. the Buffer?

No

JohnClark wrote: How are you powering the Pedal Switcher?

Supplied power adapter to an isolated circuit

JohnClark wrote: Is the Pedal Switcher mounted on a board that is conductive or is the chassis touching anything else that is metal?

No, mounted to a plexiglass plate.

Also disconnected all patch cords from all loops, just guitar > cable > Pedal Switcher > cable > amp .......
No change.
Also tried shunted cable > Pedal Switcher > cable > amp .......
No change.
Unit was sent back for service once, replaced the input switching jack.

Good job!

Copperhead wrote:Also disconnected all patch cords from all loops, just guitar > cable > Pedal Switcher > cable > amp .......
No change.
Also tried shunted cable > Pedal Switcher > cable > amp .......
No change.

How are you shunting the cable running to the input of the Pedal Switcher in this scenario? Is it possible to apply this shunt to the cable that is running to the amp in this setup after pulling only the end that is currently connected to the Pedal Switcher output?

JohnClark wrote:How are you shunting the cable running to the input of the Pedal Switcher in this scenario?

Paperclip.

JohnClark wrote: Is it possible to apply this shunt to the cable that is running to the amp in this setup after pulling only the end that is currently connected to the Pedal Switcher output?

Yes, we've done this with two 20' cables connected, laid across the stage, shunted, the amp is very quiet on the gain channel.
When connecting the guitar, guitar volume at zero, it's the same, very quiet. Guitar volume up at 10 and strings muted, the interference is being picked up and it's quite noisy.
The pedal switcher is allowing the same level of interference to be introduced into the path, with or without a guitar connected, guitar volume at zero or ten, no change.

.....also, in between shows went and bought brand new top quality cables, just to be sure.
Fender Premium, 20' and 12' - Elixir cables, DiMarzio cables.
I'm now set for a couple years on guitar cable, it would appear.

Perhaps check that the circuit board screws are securely in place. To do this you will need to remove the four screws that hold the bottom cover in place, then remove the bottom cover. You should then see three silver screws holding the circuit boards in place, one on the MIDI jack board and two on the main board. Check that these are nice and tight. If that is not it please give us a call and we will see about what we can do next.