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2254 Views 8 Replies Latest reply: Mar 28, 2013 5:23 PM by bmonroney RSS
stevoj Just Startin'
stevoj
14 posts since
Apr 8, 2010
Currently Being Moderated

Sep 29, 2010 12:32 PM

Problem with M9 Looper

I sometimes get a really nasty, almost ring-modulated type of distortion when using the looper.  It tends to happen under the following circumstances;

 

1.  when recording a long loop, and

2.  when using 'reverse' and/or 'half speed', especially after switching back and forth between these modes.

 

The distortion usually seems to affect recently recorded overdubs - ie, the first few loops remain unaffected.  This can occur even when using no effects at all.  It can range from mild to extremely severe distortion (virtually unrecognisable sound).

 

My set up is pretty simple;

 

guitar ---> M9 (ver 2.01) ---> amp (or mixer, stereo).

 

Have I got a dodgy unit, or is this a known issue ?  Any help much appreciated,

 

Stephen

Tags: problem, distortion, looper
  • stevoj Just Startin'
    stevoj
    14 posts since
    Apr 8, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Sep 30, 2010 5:31 AM (in response to stevoj)
    Re: Problem with M9 Looper

    I've also just noticed that problem is most likely to occur if the overdub button is kept permanently on.

  • Kneehow UberGuru
    Kneehow
    6,750 posts since
    Dec 26, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Oct 1, 2010 2:28 PM (in response to stevoj)
    RE: Problem with M9 Looper

    Hi,

       

      Any possibility of connecting your M9 via MIDI-to-USB interface to a host computer running Line 6 Monkey software to re-install the Flash Memory component?

       

      What happens after you do this?

       

      Also, were you using a specific effect or set of effects in tandem with the loop? Is the loop set "Post FX" or "Pre"?

       

      Regards,

      L6Perry

    • stevoj Just Startin'
      stevoj
      14 posts since
      Apr 8, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Oct 2, 2010 4:39 AM (in response to Kneehow)
      Re: RE: Problem with M9 Looper

      Hi

       

      Many thanks, re-installing the f/w seems to have solved the problem (I've been giving it rigorous testing this morning, and it now seems to be distortion free).

       

      In answer to your questions, the problem occurred even when all the effects were off, and setting pre- or post-FX made no difference.

       

      Do you know why this happened, and is it likely to recur?

       

      Stephen

      • stevoj Just Startin'
        stevoj
        14 posts since
        Apr 8, 2010
        Currently Being Moderated
        Oct 3, 2010 9:00 AM (in response to stevoj)
        Re: RE: Problem with M9 Looper

        Oh-Oh, I spoke too soon, just using the looper again today, and I have the same problem, although it occurred only once.  This time, however, using a very short loop (approx. 4 secs), only FX is some very mild compression (Vetta Comp).  Unusually, this time the problem appeared after a short period of use - only a couple of overdubs, using 1/2 speed, and pressing the Rev button twice.

         

        Erasing the loop and starting again, I couldn't reproduce this fault.

         

        I had wondered previously whether this issue was an odd manifestation of distortion of the OP stage due to having too many layers (ie, too much volume), but today's occurrence pretty much rules that one out (as I said, only 2 or 3 low volume overdubs made at the time).

         

        Getting pretty fed up with this

         

        Any ideas?

         

        Ta,

         

        Stephen

        • stevoj Just Startin'
          stevoj
          14 posts since
          Apr 8, 2010
          Currently Being Moderated
          Oct 16, 2010 7:21 AM (in response to stevoj)
          Re: RE: Problem with M9 Looper

          Hi again,

           

          Here are 2 short loops to illustrate this ongoing problem, and I'll try to explain exactly which buttons were pressed.

           

          Pt 1 was recorded with no FX.  A single chord is strummed once and the REC button is pressed while the chord is decaying, and a short loop is made by pressing the REC/ODUB button again.  I start adding some more notes, and immediately press the REV button.  Everything I play from this point comes out really distorted (listen 00:08 until 00:35). REV is pressed once more, and everything overdubbed after this point seems to replay OK.

           

          Pt 2 was recorded with only a small amount of mild compression.  I tried to reproduce the button presses, and although timing points are different, the same problem does recur (distortion occurring in the recorded data after pressing REV while still in OVERDUB. Then, after pressing REV again, new layers are recorded normally).  At the end of this track, I also pressed HALF SPEED so you can hear the distortion differently.

           

          Looper set to POST on both pieces.

           

          btw, this fault is intermittent, ie, I can only occasionally reproduce it.

           

          I hope this demonstrates the problem adequately.

           

          Please let me know if this is a software bug, or whether I have a faulty unit.

           

          Stephen

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  • bmonroney Just Startin'
    bmonroney
    4 posts since
    Nov 24, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 28, 2013 9:16 AM (in response to stevoj)
    Re: Problem with M9 Looper

    I've just reported this bug again to Support and referenced this thread. Very frustrating for those of us who use the looper extensively (or would like to ...). I'm curious if the same issue occurs in the M13 looper? I would think that part of the firmware must be the same code?

     

    Brian

    • phil_m Expert Line 6 User
      phil_m
      4,243 posts since
      Jan 25, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 28, 2013 10:43 AM (in response to bmonroney)
      Re: Problem with M9 Looper

      It doesn't happen on the M13.

      • bmonroney Just Startin'
        bmonroney
        4 posts since
        Nov 24, 2009
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 28, 2013 5:23 PM (in response to phil_m)
        Re: Problem with M9 Looper

        I got a response from support:

         

        Mar 28, 16:52 PM
        Hello,  Now I do remember that issue and yes it is a bug within the looper of the M9.  
        There is no word on when this will be fixed or where there will be another firmware update for the M9. 
        The last update for that was January 2011.  
        Regards,  Line6Hugo

         

        So there you have it. Known bug, no intention of fixing it, even though the M9 is still in production and widely available. This is disappointing - I am accustomed to companies like Metric Halo who believe in future-proofing their gear with continual software and hardware improvements. How many man-hours would it cost Line6 to track this down and fix it?

         

        Brian

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