Off Topic New house, LOTS of buzzing...

[s6275]

OK, so I moved into a new house a few months ago. Once the weather turned cold, I noticed that my previously dead-quiet TransFex Pro 212s/ DigiTech RP500, and Music Man Axis setup got VERY noisy, of the 60 Hz variety. My "studio" (if you want to call it that) is a carpeted room on the third floor, and all receptacles are grounded.

The first thing I did was to try the RP500 by itself, with headphones plugged in. It turns out it doesn't matter what outlet, or more strangely, what CIRCUIT I plug it into. ANY receptacle on the second or third floor that I plug my guitar into causes buzzing.

Next I tried the RP500 with different GUITARS, and got the same result.

So next, I purchased a $100 "isolation transformer" to plug my amp/ processor into, on the advice that it could solve this type of problem when everything else has failed. Unfortunately, the isolation transformer also failed to correct the problem, again, no matter WHERE I plugged it in.

One thing I did notice is that putting a finger on the metal sleeve of my guitar cable pin causes the buzz to basically stop. Obviously, though, I am unable to do this while the cable is in the guitar, and the buzzing returns.

Has anyone ever encountered anything like this? I feel like I have done everything short of calling in an electrician, because who wants to do that?

 

[andynpeters]

I feel like I have done everything short of calling in an electrician, because who wants to do that?

....er...someone who wants the problem solved???

.Could be so many things (some of them dangerous), and an expert on the spot is probably a much better bet than a blind diagnosis on an internet forum.....would probably have been cheaper than the isolating transformer too.

I had the same thing happen once in a flat I owned....appeared & disappeared mysteriously.....turned out to be a faulty neon light in the shop downstairs.

 

[Sweat]

So many things could cause this, hard to trouble shoot electical issues , one thing does your room have flourescent lighting if so it could be the ballast of the lamp causing it, or you cold have a major gronding issue in the electrical system itself or something else plugged into the circuit causing a noise issue, how old is the elctrical system? Hope you get it figured out.

 

[s6275]

No fluorescent lights. The electrical systems is, uhm, interesting. About 30% of it is less than 10 years old. The REST of it is probably close to 80 years old. I THOUGHT, because the room in question is on the newer portion of the system, everything would be OK. Very aggravating.

 

[colinboy]

ive just moved into my new apartment.i havent plugged my ball in yet so i hope when i do theres no electrical issues!

 

[s6275]

I can get louder buzz from my cable depending on how high above the ground I hold it (higher = more buzz). What the heck?

 

[Sweat]

I can get louder buzz from my cable depending on how high above the ground I hold it (higher = more buzz). What the heck?

So you lift the cable in the air and more buzz, what type of lighting is in the room and does it have a cieling fan? Anything else in the room like an old analog phone line thats active? What sort of heating\cooling serves the room, sorry for the qustions but so many things can add interference nowdays, sounds like you are getting a 60 cycle hum from a bad device or motor.

 

[s6275]

Thanks for all the advice. There is a new ceiling fan in the room. There is a wall mounted a/c unit, and a portable baseboard heater. I have unplugged both, and the problem is still there.

Oddly, bringing the cable closer to different power sources and wireless devices causes more buzz. In fact, I was using that method as a testing technique, but before long everything was unplugged except the amp, and I still had buzzing problems.

I know this is a long shot, but could this be a humidity issue?

 

[Matt F]

I have the same problem in my home. I have tried any number of amps, guitars, cables, ect.. I have tried to troubleshoot the same as you. I live in Florida, so interesting you would mention humidity.. But I doubt that is the issue.

The amp I have now doesn't have that problem, but I swore it was a ground problem somewhere . I am going to follow your thread and see if you happen to find a solution Good luck Mate.

MF

 

[candid_x]

Potentiometers are sometimes the culprit, lights, fan, etc.

 

[Slingy]

Pick up an outlet tester like this one.

Gardner Bender Ground Fault Indicator Tester; 1/Cd, 10Cds/Master - GFI-501A at The Home Depot

If the outlet fails call an electrician.

 

[s6275]

I have one of those. It says all the receptacles in the room are fine.

 

[douglasspears]

could be radio waves you are picking up, since you are up 2 or 3 stories and they can get underneath and to your equipment. Was your previous place on the ground floor? Are you near a downtown area with strong radio signals being broadcast?

Also, you mentioned the buzz stopping when you touch the guitar cable. Doesnt touching the strings or bridge also stop it? Can't you do that while playing?

 

[s6275]

Doug,

Touching the strings/ bridge does NOT stop the buzzing. My previous place was in a different town, and there were no problems there. No nearby radio stations.

Sigh...my next attempt to resolve the problem will be the removal of my Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse from the equation. I am determined to solve this today.

 

[1evh2nv]

Best of luck, Please keep us posted,it may help others here.