• Ernie Ball
  • MusicMan
  • Sterling by MusicMan

Rufedges

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2008
Messages
310
Here is the scenario, and week after week I keep thinking it is EQ and the difference between home (small room) and stage (big room), but I finally realized our power at Church on stage is probably bad/dirty. I actually thought it was the inferiority of the HD500, and made up my mind to sell my PDN Axis SS as soon as it arrives and get a Kemper (mind changed however, the HD500 is not hte problem).

I know this a large topic, but this is what i am using:
POD HD500
Roland Cube 80XL
Furman Power Conditioner/pedalboard
EBMM Silhouette Special

Already eliminated issues, this is at home, and again, amplifier and all settings to include volume are the same: Pickups, even the single coils, make almost zero noise at home, even with lots of gain. At Church, there was this ridiculous, almost swirling but not consistent like a phaser swirling when I swithed to my neck pup with just some medium gain. Amplifier has so much volume and headroom left at home, the 80XL is an 80 watt amplifier and is VERY loud, 12" speaker......at Church, it sounds like I am using a trying to crank a 10w 8" speaker..........everything is flubby, saturated, NOT dynamic, at home, the feel is very lifelike, bass doesn't get muddy, and there is no noise. Everythign plugs into the pedalboard in both venues, however, I think the problem is the extension cord I plug the Furman into at Church.......it does have a couple other things plugged into it as well, however, thinking about our stage, every extension cord has like eleventeen things plugged into it.

Any ideas anyone? I was seriously thinking that it was just the large auditorium vs. the small, and that the HD500 is just digital garbage, but even my wife notices the difference, and it is not just the smaller room. I am actually kind of relieved to have discovered this issue, but any ideas on what to do if finding a dedicated outlet or using another cord doesn't solve the issue. Temperature and humidity are literally identical as well, this is not the difference between an indoor and outdoor gig.

Any help from anyone with any previous experience with these types of problems will be appreciated. I've received some responses that said dimmer switches are prob the culprit, I am bringing a 50' extension cord next week to try and find a clean outlet...........I am optomistic, I have had good sound a few times, it was a while ago, I just can't remember where/what I plugged into, and there have been additions and deletions of equipment on stage as well. Thanks
 

lessthanone

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 9, 2010
Messages
440
get a monster surge protector with clean power stage 2 filtering and try that out. It work me me in my apt. Its worth a shot because if it doesnt work you can just return it. I think the cheapest one with clean power is $100.
 

ScoobySteve

Well-known member
Joined
May 1, 2008
Messages
3,309
Location
Busan, Republic of Korea
Sounds like bad grounding and/or a serious case of loop hum. In a venue that's medium/large size that's gonna be a pain to find and isolate. I'd go with lessthanone's suggestion first though.
 

Rufedges

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2008
Messages
310
I am already using this: http://www.furmansound.com/pdf/manuals/SPB-8C_manual.pdf

Everything I use plugs into this..............this is pretty much exactly what you are recommending, correct?

get a monster surge protector with clean power stage 2 filtering and try that out. It work me me in my apt. Its worth a shot because if it doesnt work you can just return it. I think the cheapest one with clean power is $100.
 

lessthanone

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 9, 2010
Messages
440
Looks like the same idea but remember Monster is the best in the business when it comes to power conditioning and surge protection. The Monster stuff is meant to deal with Home Entertainment systems( on a tv bad ground and power can not only be heard, it can also be seen.) Its worth a shot, like I said, you can always return especially if you go somewhere like best buy.
 

fbecir

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 3, 2005
Messages
3,032
Location
Paris, FRANCE
The best solution is to generate your own electricity.
This sort of device can be very helpful :
pedal-power-roller-generator-bicycle.gif


Even during a blackout, you will be able to play your guitar. And no more electricity bill !
Besides, your legs are pretty useless when you're playing guitar.
Now you will be able to play guitar and improve your cardio vascular capacity at the same time.

But please, no EPO ... :D
 

ScoobySteve

Well-known member
Joined
May 1, 2008
Messages
3,309
Location
Busan, Republic of Korea
If all your gear is running through a a Furman Power Conditioner (it would also help to know which model BTW) it would fix the problem of having a dirty/inconsistent outlet. That's what they're for. Tell us what the model is, some come with noise filtration (which can sometimes be the problem strangely enough) and some have various sets of isolated to non/isolated power bank. This matters a lot.

Though, I would like to mention that I don't think your problem is bad power. If your Furman PC is working right a dirty source shouldn't be the problem, you could have a faulty Power Condition though, so lessthanone's solution is worthwhile, if you can find someone who can loan you one just to eliminate that possibility.

Sound issues at larger gigs and at higher volumes can include TONS of things. Poor shielding and radio/electrical interference, electrical sources that output magnetic fields, and even as simple as not having the amp snug and flush against the floor. A loud rattling amp on a hard/not smooth surface can absolutely cause phasing problems and create buzzing and overly muddled bottom end like you're describing.

Report back, and good luck

Edit:

Just talked to one of my tech buddies. Just report back on which Furman PC model you're using. Some of them DO NOT regulate voltage (strange I know) and this can also be a potential source of your problem.
 
Last edited:

Rufedges

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2008
Messages
310
Haha.......you are a big help =)

The best solution is to generate your own electricity.
This sort of device can be very helpful :
pedal-power-roller-generator-bicycle.gif


Even during a blackout, you will be able to play your guitar. And no more electricity bill !
Besides, your legs are pretty useless when you're playing guitar.
Now you will be able to play guitar and improve your cardio vascular capacity at the same time.

But please, no EPO ... :D
 
Last edited:

Rufedges

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2008
Messages
310
I am already using this: http://www.furmansound.com/pdf/manua...-8C_manual.pdf


I am going to pick up one of this as well..............
Furman P-1800 PF Power Conditioner | Musician's Friend

Should be more than enough to fix most of my problems..........venue probably has overloaded circuits and poor shielding, but loss of amp power/volume/flubbyness I am almost positive it everything not getting enough juice........
If all your gear is running through a a Furman Power Conditioner (it would also help to know which model BTW) it would fix the problem of having a dirty/inconsistent outlet. That's what they're for. Tell us what the model is, some come with noise filtration (which can sometimes be the problem strangely enough) and some have various sets of isolated to non/isolated power bank. This matters a lot.

Though, I would like to mention that I don't think your problem is bad power. If your Furman PC is working right a dirty source shouldn't be the problem, you could have a faulty Power Condition though, so lessthanone's solution is worthwhile, if you can find someone who can loan you one just to eliminate that possibility.

Sound issues at larger gigs and at higher volumes can include TONS of things. Poor shielding and radio/electrical interference, electrical sources that output magnetic fields, and even as simple as not having the amp snug and flush against the floor. A loud rattling amp on a hard/not smooth surface can absolutely cause phasing problems and create buzzing and overly muddled bottom end like you're describing.

Report back, and good luck

Edit:

Just talked to one of my tech buddies. Just report back on which Furman PC model you're using. Some of them DO NOT regulate voltage (strange I know) and this can also be a potential source of your problem.
 

Jamie M

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 15, 2010
Messages
1,116
Location
U.K
The best solution is to generate your own electricity.
This sort of device can be very helpful :
pedal-power-roller-generator-bicycle.gif


Even during a blackout, you will be able to play your guitar. And no more electricity bill !
Besides, your legs are pretty useless when you're playing guitar.
Now you will be able to play guitar and improve your cardio vascular capacity at the same time.

But please, no EPO ... :D

lol, nice one
 

colinboy

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 15, 2007
Messages
1,742
Location
Corkcity,Ireland
You could be picking up a signal from another piece of equipment which is causing a ground loop in your set up. You could try one of these as i use one in my setup.Ebtech - Audio Solutions

Ive got the HE-2 model and i use it to isolate my G system and my amplifier to ensure i dont get any extra hum.
 
Top Bottom