New house, LOTS of buzzing...

[Mark Fiske]

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 amp, DigiTech RP500 effects processor, and Music Man Axis guitar 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 processor 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 processor 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 DID recently notice that it is a 20 amp circuit, but all three receptacles are of the 15 amp variety. Could that be causing the problem?

[Marc D. Shunk]

Take some gauss readings with a gauss meter and report back.

Q: are there any other connections to this equipment like CATV, LAN, or phone? This is an important question.

[Michael Larson]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navig...r&src=3WWRWXGG

[Mark Fiske]

Wireless router and cordless phone is connected on this circuit, but I have removed them from the room, and the buzzing hasn't stopped. I'll try what you suggested. Thanks!

[brian winkle]

Mark,

You said you tried different guitars, but did you try different CABLES?

[Mark Fiske]

I DID try different cables, but that's on my list of suspects, since I did NOT try all different cables for all of my various interconnects.

However, I suspect that's not the case. I have different processors in different rooms with different cables, and I still get the same noise.

I will try to get some Gauss readings, although what can be done about too much EMF?

[Wendell F. Cook]

Sounds like a possible ground loop. I have experienced it with my equipment at times. When the cable is plugged into your guitar, does the humming stop when you touch the bridge or strings?

[Mark Fiske]

Thanks Wendell. No, that doesn't stop it. Here's the weird part: the higher in the air I hold the cable, the louder the buzz gets. But, I tried turning off the light and ceiling fan, and the buzz still existed. Also, if I bring the cable closer to various other power sources and wireless devices, it makes the buzz worse. At one point, I was using the cable in this way as a tester, but before long, I had everything unplugged, and still had a buzzing problem.

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

[Michael Roberson]

Ok Mark, I am a sound tec, and I have seen many similar issues. Usually, the fastest way to remove a buzzing, (or a hum in a main PA system) is to Ground lift the plug. Sometimes the ground is "noisy", being basically a big antenna, which you are plugging into an amp. In the system that I run, there are days that I can hear the radio through the monitors. ( im serious) In some wild weird cases, you have to ground lift EVERYTHING plugged in, but try the cheep shot first. I know, I know, everyone says ... no ground no good, but it wont hurt anything to try.

Before you buy anything else, I suggest a power condtioner. http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...r?sku=180163If you are a guitar junkie like some of my friends, this becomes a standard on your rack, and take it with you to gigs, you never know what you may find on the road.

Email me, Ill be happy to further trouble shoot this thing with you.

Edit: there are some items that cause disturbance to amps. Usually electrical rotary motors, blenders, vacuums, fans.

Pioneer@homeinspectorpro.com

[Mark Fiske]

Thanks Michael. But I already have two of these, and have tried the amp with AND without running through these.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ply?sku=182654

I mentioned earlier that it doesn't seem to matter which outlet I use on that circuit, or for that matter...in the house.

[jkogel]

Do what he said, lift the ground. Try a 3 to 2 prong adapter on your amp.
(The buzz sounds like it could be a radio wave picked up by your guitar cord, or even the house wiring can act as a huge antenna)

John Kogel
www.allsafehome.ca

[Mark Fiske]

Thanks John. I just tried that, to no avail. There seems to be some kind of EMI that is affecting my amp. If that is the case, changing the outlets to 20 amp GFI one wouldn't help with that, would it. I'm almost sure the ones there now are 15 amp outlets.

[jkogel]

Originally Posted by Mark Fiske

Thanks John. I just tried that, to no avail. There seems to be some kind of EMI that is affecting my amp. If that is the case, changing the outlets to 20 amp GFI one wouldn't help with that, would it. I'm almost sure the ones there now are 15 amp outlets.

No, the amp will always draw the exact same current regardless of changes to the supply. I'd take it to a friend's place across town and see if that helps.

If it still buzzes in that location, I'd suspect a loose or faulty capacitor in the amp.

[Gary Farnsworth]

Any CFL's in the area?

[Steven C. Waskewicz]

Have you seen Jack Bauer in the building? Maybe CTU has setup a field office upstairs...