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2157 Views 5 Replies Latest reply: Jan 7, 2011 3:32 AM by tauzero RSS
iainpwboyd Just Startin'
iainpwboyd
53 posts since
Jan 31, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Jan 14, 2010 6:25 AM

Crackle/power drop out on Variax stereo cable

Hi,

 

Has anyone else encountered or solved a problem like this?

 

I usually use my Variax 500 with a Pod XT Live, and that all works perfectly. However I wanted to do some ultra -clean recording so went back to the original PSU/splitter box.

 

I have tried it with both a high quality Planet Waves RTS cable as well as a very short gold plated stereo patch cable, but in both situations get a lot of crackle (even if nothing's physically moving) and the power light on the PSU drops out from green to red every 5 seconds or so.

 

My thinking says:

1. Not the cable as I've tried alternatives.

2. The Variax is fine on its Ethernet connection - but could there be something bad about the 1/4 inch socket?

3. It could be a fault in the PSU itself - not putting out enough power to the Variax? Does anyone know what the voltage should be between ring and tip?

 

Any experience or advice would be very welcome.

Tags: variax, problems, crackling, crackle, line_6_variax, variax_500
  • es336td Just Startin'
    es336td
    182 posts since
    Jan 29, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 14, 2010 7:43 AM (in response to iainpwboyd)
    Re: Crackle/power drop out on Variax stereo cable

    Why are you connecting the VDI (Ethernet) AND the TRS (stereo)?  Only one should be needed when used with the POD.

    • iainpwboyd Just Startin'
      iainpwboyd
      53 posts since
      Jan 31, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 18, 2010 7:20 AM (in response to es336td)
      Re: Crackle/power drop out on Variax stereo cable

      Hi & thanks for replying.

       

      Just to clarify: I'm not trying to use both outputs at the same time, I have just listed the different set-ups in which I have used the guitar in an effort to elminiate or isolate the problem.

      1. The guitar works fine when connected to (i.e. powered by) an XT Live via Ethernet.

      2. It crackles when using a TRS cable to a Variax power/splitter box.

      3. I have tried different stereo leads - still crackles - therefore not the lead

       

      Therefore, likely faults:

      1. The stereo connection into the guitar

      2. The Variax power/splitter box

       

      Sadly I don't have a spare Variax to test the power/splitter box, though I might have to buy a new one (if available?), so I'm seeking anyone else's similar experience or opinion.

       

      Rgds.

      • iainpwboyd Just Startin'
        iainpwboyd
        53 posts since
        Jan 31, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Feb 13, 2010 4:27 AM (in response to iainpwboyd)
        Re: Crackle/power drop out on Variax stereo cable

        Okay. Just to advance the discussion a bit.

         

        I have noticed one other strange feature: the crackle/drop-out goes away after the Variax has been 'on' for 5 or 10 minutes.  It's like someting has 'warmed up' in an old fashioned TV set kind of way. So I'm gong to hold off buying a new power supply and splitter box as it may well be something at the  guitar end of the chain and see how things progress.

         

        Just adding to the pool of 'strange behaviour observed in Variax guitars' and still keen to hear of similar experiences and solutions.

  • altpat Just Startin'
    altpat
    1 posts since
    Jan 4, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 4, 2010 2:03 PM (in response to iainpwboyd)
    Re: Crackle/power drop out on Variax stereo cable

    Hi

     

    I'm browsing looking for exactly this problem. I've had a 600 for about a year and gigged with it for the first time last night. I set it up to switch the xlr and jack outputs into different inputs on my amp for acoustic and electric numbers. All lights were green but soon after I switched on a really loud crackling started. Definitely the output from the guitar (pull out the lead crackling stopped). Ended up working on battery power. End of evening set it up again no crackling (I hadn't time to disconnect the power box so it had been powered all evening)

     

    Love the guitar but will be moving back to less troublesome guitars live (and back to physically switching between acoustic and electrics) unless someone can provide some help. I've had some other strange behaviour between the guitar and some amps producing hisses, crackles and power drop offs which my other guitars don't. The noises usually don't last long (except for one Marshall 30watt where it would only work on the clean channel).

     

    Are these problems recognised and are there any ways of avoiding them? i.e. should I get one of the line 6 pods?

     

    Any help/ guidance appreciated

     

    Altpat

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