What causes amps to pick up radio signals? To me, it seems like more gain and volume = louder radio signal. Take my home setup for example. I'm running a volume pedal, wah pedal, and overdrive pedal in front of a Classic 50, and chorus, delay, and reverb in the loop. Clean channel is crystal clear, overdrive channel has slight radio signal, overdrive channel with overdrive pedal engaged has a loud radio signal, and the louder I turn the amp up, the more prominent the radio signal is. I've also noticed this with a few other amps, and when I play with my PODxt plugged into my computer on a higher gain setting. What causes this, and how can it be prevented?
Radio signals
# 1
I have no idea, but I have a story about this....My band was in the studio and we were doing some demo tracks and just warming up a bit and I had a radio signal coming through my amp...SO we recorded with it while I wasn't playing and it sounded kinda cool..we kept it as a dumby track to listen to at home but took it out in the final mix...It kinda gave that "wish you were here" vibe.
Electric Guitars are the inspiration for cries of "Turn that damn thing down"-Gibson website
# 2
yeah, I alway's find it funny when I pick up some radio station in a foreign language. All jokes aside, it's so loud with my overdrive pedal engaged on the overdrive channel that it overpower's any reverb and most delay :( . Could it be my guitar, the pedals, bad cables, poor power outlet...? I'm really fustrated with this because I can only enjoy playing on the clean channel, and even then, it's slightly there, but not near as noticable. If I don't get any suggestions, here's what I plan to do... try another guitar, try different cables, go to a different outlet in another room, plug everything into a furman power conditioner. If none of those work.... :mad:
Please help!!!!!! :(
Please help!!!!!! :(
# 3
I forgot about the ground switch on the back of the amp. It's in the middle position right now, so would switching it to the negative or possitive side help any? (I'm at work right now and can't try it, so that's why I ask)
Also, for more info., the amp is plugged into a grounded power strip, and the pedals are run off of a Dunlop DCBrick into the power strip, and all of the cables except one being used in the fx loop are fairly new.
Also, for more info., the amp is plugged into a grounded power strip, and the pedals are run off of a Dunlop DCBrick into the power strip, and all of the cables except one being used in the fx loop are fairly new.
# 4
Try plugging everything into the same wall socket, that should help.
When you run stuff off different wall sockets you create a ground loop which acts as a big antenna. Any radio signals floating about that are at a frequency the big old antenna can pick up...are. These are then amplified by transistor amp type circuitry which then comes out the speaker. Just like a big transistor radio.
As you can tell, I'm not totally clear on the exact mechanics of this my self however I bet LATS could put you rite !
When you run stuff off different wall sockets you create a ground loop which acts as a big antenna. Any radio signals floating about that are at a frequency the big old antenna can pick up...are. These are then amplified by transistor amp type circuitry which then comes out the speaker. Just like a big transistor radio.
As you can tell, I'm not totally clear on the exact mechanics of this my self however I bet LATS could put you rite !
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
# 5
I have my amp and the DCBrick(pedal power) both plugged into the same power strip that's plugged in the a wall outlet.
# 6
Humm, the only other tihng that springs to mind is a Faraday cage !
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
# 7
Originally Posted by: Dr_simonHumm, the only other tihng that springs to mind is a Faraday cage ![font=trebuchet ms]... or a copper-shielded 'rubber room'.
The fact that it's happening on all channels, with all of your gear, tends to point to the guitar as the source.[/font]
# 8
after doing some more research, that's where it seems to be pointing is the guitar. But, with the same guitar, it doesn't do it with my triple x head, only with my classic 50 and the little gibson amp. :confused:
# 9
Well, I tried 2 different guitars, and it was still there for both, neither stronger nor weaker for either. Since it's basically only noticable on the dirty channel (which has beccame increasingly more noisy) I even tried changint out the tube in V2, but that didn't do anything at all. Ground switch also did nothing. Taking out all pedals also did nothing. So, I'm lead to believe that it's a bad power source. That's the one thing I didn't try yesterday, but I will try going to a different outlet this evening. Aside from all that, the amp has never sounded better :rolleyes:
# 10
I've never gotten radio stations though my rig, but the other guitarist in my band picks up a Mexican station sometimes when he uses his Wah.....He plays a Gibson SG through a Mesa Boogie DC-5 head...
Check out my band:
Havoc Din
Havoc Din
# 11
well, my wah and overdrive pedal just boost the already present radio signals.
# 12
Different outlets didn't help. Maybe it's just my house :confused:
# 13
Originally Posted by: PRSplayaDifferent outlets didn't help. Maybe it's just my house :confused:[font=trebuchet ms]It happens. Even sunspot activity can affect this kind of interference.[/font]
# 14
Do you live near a transmitter mast ?
I have known other people with similar problems over at KS.
Turns out there was a big old radio mast half a mile away. Guess what was causing the problem !!
I have known other people with similar problems over at KS.
Turns out there was a big old radio mast half a mile away. Guess what was causing the problem !!
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
# 15
there's a cell phone tower about 600 yds. away. The nearest radio tower is roughly 3-5 miles away.
# 16
Originally Posted by: PRSplayaWhat causes amps to pick up radio signals?
The Aliens.
Well, perhaps you don't know how radio signals work. Let me explain. You see, Invisible airwaves crackle with life. Bright antennae bristle with the energy. Emotional feedback on a timeless wavelength bearing a gift beyond price, almost free.
# 17
Originally Posted by: Jolly McJollysonThe Aliens.:rolleyes: [font=trebuchet ms]Aw jeez, he's been swimming in the canal again !!![/font]
Well, perhaps you don't know how radio signals work. Let me explain. You see, Invisible airwaves crackle with life. Bright antennae bristle with the energy. Emotional feedback on a timeless wavelength bearing a gift beyond price, almost free.
# 18
It is either that or eating the cheese under the fridge.
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
# 19
Originally Posted by: Lordathestrings Aw jeez, he's been swimming in the canal again !!![/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Dr_simon]It is either that or eating the cheese under the fridge.
Take your shots. I'll have my revenge.
# 20
