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678 Views 14 Replies Latest reply: Aug 27, 2012 4:46 AM by JoeTele RSS
ay8kjqtz2 Just Startin'
ay8kjqtz2
9 posts since
Mar 23, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Jan 22, 2012 5:46 AM

M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

My M5 is having a bit of a problem and I have no idea what the cause is.  I've integrated it into my pedalboard between my overdrive/distortion pedals and my other modulation effects, so the chain right now runs:

 

Guitar --> SD-1 --> TS9 --> RAT --> M5 --> CH-1 --> Echo Park --> Verbzilla --> Amp

 

I'm powering all the other pedals with a OneSpot daisy chain, and I have been powering the M5 with a separate OneSpot.

 

So, here's the problem: occasionally (and it's totally unpredictable) when I'm in the middle of playing and stomp one of the overdrive pedals for a bit of a boost for a solo or chorus, the whole chain goes dead.  This does not happen when I turn on the modulation effects that come *after* the M5.  At any rate, the only solution I've found is to unplug and reboot the M5, at which point sound comes back again.  I've also noticed this happening when I use the tap-tempo function, and again, rebooting is the only solution.

 

So, I'm wondering what the source of the problem might be, and how I might resolve this.  It's driving me nuts to have my entire chain go quiet in the middle of a song, and I have gotten some "Why are you messing with 2nd rate gear"-type looks from my bandmates when it happens.  I'd rather not have this hit me during a performance.

Tags: power, chain, reboot, m5, onespot
  • Line6david Line 6 Support
    Line6david
    5,196 posts since
    Jan 27, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 23, 2012 2:31 PM (in response to ay8kjqtz2)
    Re: M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

    Hi,

     

    The M5 is likely under powered. It's power requirements are 9V DC 500mA. Are you sure it's getting enough power from the One Spot? How does it react if you use the original adapter?

     

    Thanks,

    David

    Line 6 Customer Support

    • ay8kjqtz2 Just Startin'
      ay8kjqtz2
      9 posts since
      Mar 23, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 23, 2012 4:58 PM (in response to Line6david)
      Re: M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

      David, thanks for the reply.

       

      In response to your second question, I misplaced the original adapter in a move shortly after I bought the pedal, and haven't been able to locate it or a replacement (because I can't find a clear description of the model name / number of the adapter for the M5).

       

      The One Spot supposedly can provide up to 1700mA, so I would think that would be sufficient for the M5's needs.  But I am willing to consider purchasing a replacement for the correct adapter if you could perhaps link me to someplace on the Line 6 site where I could find one.

       

      I also did a factory reset just to see if that might help things at all.

  • Line6david Line 6 Support
    Line6david
    5,196 posts since
    Jan 27, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 24, 2012 2:54 PM (in response to ay8kjqtz2)
    Re: M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

    Hi,

     

    The 1 Spot Shares 1700mA between all of your effects. The M5 has a rather hefty 500mA requirement. So with all of the pedals connected, you are probably a little underpowered. You can purchase a replacement adapter here:

     

    https://www.globalfulfillment.net/gfsnet/%28S%284f5tnl45iemmsl554zybcc45%29%29/line6/10Expand.aspx?ProductCode=98%20DC1%20US

     

    They are also available at any major retailer like Guitar Center or Sam Ash.

     

    Thanks,

    David

    Line 6 Customer Support

  • rockerduck Just Startin'
    rockerduck
    3 posts since
    Feb 18, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 24, 2012 5:13 PM (in response to ay8kjqtz2)
    Re: M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

    The op said he is using a separate one spot to power the M5. I'd replace the one spot or check where both are attached at the power source. Might be a bad surge strip. That's the only way I can see the whole pedal board going out and not just the M5. I'm using a one spot wih my M5 and I'm not having this problem.

  • rockerduck Just Startin'
    rockerduck
    3 posts since
    Feb 18, 2008
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    Jan 24, 2012 5:19 PM (in response to ay8kjqtz2)
    Re: M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

    Oops. I meant I was using a DC power brick on my board with the M5. The one spot powers another board.

  • Line6david Line 6 Support
    Line6david
    5,196 posts since
    Jan 27, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 25, 2012 4:32 PM (in response to ay8kjqtz2)
    Re: M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

    @rockerduck,

     

    As you can see, when everything is plugged up in such a small space it's easy to mistake what is going to where on most large pedal boards. Eliminating the 1 Spot will likely fix the issue. Aftermarket solutions for power do save a lot of space but we see many users run into problems like this. Still, I'm going to wait a while before closing this thread just incase.

     

    Thanks,

    David

    Line 6 Customer Support

    • ay8kjqtz2 Just Startin'
      ay8kjqtz2
      9 posts since
      Mar 23, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 28, 2012 10:50 AM (in response to Line6david)
      Re: M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

      David, thank you for the link to the power supply.  I have not had the chance to play under the same circumstances since I posted this, and plan to wait and see what happens (after my previously mentioned factory reset) with the current setup (which, as I mentioned, is one power supply dedicated to the M5).

       

      If I hit problems again, I believe it is likely to be the aftermarket power supply, and will be picking up a new manufacturer adapter for the M5.

       

      Thanks for keeping this open, and I will update when I've dealt with the problem.  If it turns out to be as simple as using the Line 6 spec power supply instead of a replacement, I'm going to feel like a royal fool, but I really want to believe that the M5 power requirements aren't so finicky that it would behave oddly on an aftermarket (and well-respected) supply that produces adequate amperage and voltage for the unit's needs.  Then again, I want to believe a lot of things, so...

      • ay8kjqtz2 Just Startin'
        ay8kjqtz2
        9 posts since
        Mar 23, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jan 29, 2012 11:32 AM (in response to ay8kjqtz2)
        Re: M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

        Well, just managed to replicate the problem again.  Had my SD-1 running into the M5 (set on Analog Mod Delay), went to boost it with my TS9 (sitting in between the two) and the sound went dead.  Switched presets and the sound came back, but I can't have that happening live.

         

        This is after a factory reset.  Any idea what could be causing that, David?  I'm going to order the replacement DC-1G, and I really hope that fixes the problem.  I want to be able to rely on this thing as much as my Echo Park and Verbzilla, it's damned useful as long as it works properly.

  • Line6david Line 6 Support
    Line6david
    5,196 posts since
    Jan 27, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 1, 2012 3:18 PM (in response to ay8kjqtz2)
    Re: M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

    Hi,

     

    Let me know if the power supply fixes the issue. We get very few complaints about M5s malfunctioning so i'm thinking the replacement supply should fix the issue.

     

    Thanks,

    David

    Line 6 Customer Support

    • ay8kjqtz2 Just Startin'
      ay8kjqtz2
      9 posts since
      Mar 23, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 5, 2012 1:15 PM (in response to Line6david)
      Re: M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

      Sorry, still having the same problem with the correct power supply.  Ways to replicate the problem include:

       

      1) repeatedly stomping the on/off footswitch (this is intermittent, and not at all predictable, but it does happen)

      2) hitting the tap tempo switch (again, intermittent, but it *will* replicate the problem eventually)

      3) turning on / off another pedal in the chain

       

      Changing presets and then returning to the one I was using resets it and the sound returns, but this is a serious problem.

      • Kneehow UberGuru
        Kneehow
        6,750 posts since
        Dec 26, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Feb 6, 2012 10:29 AM (in response to ay8kjqtz2)
        Re: M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

        Then the root of the issue lies within the M5 itself... a repair tech will need to open up your unit and diagnose the unit in person to identify the point of failure and fix the issue.

         

        If you bought your unit new from an authorized dealer and are within a year of the purchase date of the store receipt (this is for U.S. based customers... if you're from an EU country, there's a different electronics warranty that overrides manufacturer warranty-- please verify those details with your country's warranty policies), make a copy of your receipt and then get your unit to the nearest ASC: http://line6.com/support/serviceCenters/

  • fly135 Just Startin'
    fly135
    5 posts since
    Aug 6, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 13, 2012 10:31 AM (in response to ay8kjqtz2)
    Re: M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

    I have exactly the same problem with my M5 and I'm using the original power supply.  I don't need to activate any other pedals in my chain to cause the problem.  I can just be playing the guitar and the sound goes out.  The solution is always the same.... unplug the power and reboot the M5.

     

    It's been doing this for a while and i kept thinking it was cables and moving stuff around.  Then I realized that cycling power on the M5 was the fix.  I purchased mine on 6/2/11 so I guess I'd better get a support ticket for it.

     

    John

  • emilr1971 Just Startin'
    emilr1971
    2 posts since
    Jan 3, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 19, 2012 7:37 PM (in response to ay8kjqtz2)
    Re: M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

    I'm having the same problem for a while now...at first i tried to fix the problem with a power supply replacement...always connecting the M5 in one spot...but it happens again and again...you're playing a song and suddenly loose your sound...just like that...totally muted...until you unplug from the back of the M5 and plug it again...sometimes if you stomp the right buttom for Tuner function for a second and stomp back it works and your sound returns...but let me point to something that may be interesting for some as it is for me...the M5 requieres a 9V DC 500mA to be powered...thats clearly pointed on the bottom of the M5...however the original power supply that comes with it is a 9V DC 250mA, which may be the right one as a technician told me "hey is still a 9V...." ok...but what about the difference between the 500mA pointed on the bottom of the M5 and the 250mA specified on the label of the original power supply ??? Did anybody else noticed that ? And please...i've seen a lot of users asking Line 6 support for a solution to this and is very obvious nobody knows what the real problems with the M5 are...one thing is for sure...we can't relay on it...even that is a lovely tool with over a 100 options that i placed in my pedalboard and connected thru the efx loop to get mod effects when i need them...but the problem is not even that you loose just the effect...the problem is that you loose ALL your sound and that's not acceptable. I hope someone will find what the real problem is, i'll keep the M5 in my pedalboard for about a week or two but i'm thinking on taking this out of my pedalboard and try other Mod Stompboxes like TC NM1 Nova Mod or even the Zoom G2 Nu or Zoom G3 'cause i need something reliable for live events without loosing your sound just because one of your fav pedals isn't real well made...sorry to say it, but it's true.

  • JoeTele Just Startin'
    JoeTele
    1 posts since
    Aug 26, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 27, 2012 4:46 AM (in response to ay8kjqtz2)
    Re: M5 problem - intermittently kills all sound in chain, has to be rebooted... help?

    I'm having the same issues with my M5. Periodically, I lose all signal output. Sometimes it's immediately after powering the unit on and other times it's just random.The only way that I've found to correct it is to cycle the power. I try to run my rig off of a Furman power conditioner whenever possible and I don't recall having the issue during those times as much as when I don't use conditioned power.

    I'm powering it with the original power adapter plugged into the AC power plug on a Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 2 Plus. 

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