HX stomp crackling noise

[EzraStompbox]

Hi, 

 

for the past couple of days my HX stomp has been making a crackling noise underneath my guitar sound. It's like my guitar sound is mixed with the crackling noise. The noise is not too loud but it is definitely prominent when listened closely. I am using the Hx stomp power supply that came in with the product. 

 

I use a Beyerdynamic 770 pro 80 ohm Headphone directly from the Headphone jack in the stomp. The noise also exists after recording it in my DAW via USB.  When I listened to some tracks that I recorded a week ago, the noise was not present.

 

i tried the following, 

1. Removing all the other pedals in the setup and using the Stomp as a standalone one

2. Changing headphones

3. Changing guitars 

4. Changing guitar cable

5. Removing the USB connection from the Stomp 

6. Playing with an absolutely clean amp setting

7. Removed delay and reverb from the chain

8. Used an EQ block to reduce to about -4 dB 

9. Removing other devices from the power supply outlet 

10. Tried factory presets also 

 

Nothing has worked. I can still hear that crackling sound. If anyone has experienced anything like this and found a solution, please let me know

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

[Schmalle]

Just a speculation: A loose input jack?

[rd2rk]

Are you using a filtered power strip?

Are there appliances/fluorescents/rheostats on the wall circuit?

Is your cell phone or router near the HX?

Have space aliens been spotted nearby?

[EzraStompbox]

@rd2rk I haven't checked the power strip yet but it is a good suggestion. I will change and check again. 

Yes there is a router on my table nearby but it has been there all the time even when the noise was not observed. Space aliens could be definite possibility though :) :) 

 

@Schmalle The input jack looks good from the outside..I did not disconnect any pedal from the input jack since the last "noiseless" point. So I assume it is fine...Let me try the Right input jack instead of L/mono 

[chad_thornton]

Are you only hearing the problem when there's guitar playing?

 

I might be diagnosing a similar problem — I'm hearing what sounds like "the wrong kind of distortion" even on clean settings, but only when there's incoming guitar signal.

[EzraStompbox]

@chad_thornton yes I hear the crackling glitch only when I play something...especially when I play the first three strings. I played through my inexpensive PC speakers and I hear no crackling. May be the signal is much louder than the noise. I have seen many users with similar complaints all over youtube and facebook

 

In your case, try the following

- increase your delay headroom in case you have a delay block or even turn it off completely.

- try reducing the amp output / IR / Cab output level

- add a compressor with a low threshold at the end of your chain and check if it is still distorting

- listen to the output through another monitor / headphone

- record your signal in a DAW and listen to it separately without using the stomp as an audio interface

or may be your guitar signal is too hot for the stomp ? if you have another pedal before the stomp, try reducing the output volume of this pedal so that the stomp gets a lesser signal level

[rd2rk]

You said that the sound records. If your DAW allows, can you attach a sample? Just the isolated guitar track, not the whole mix.

Also attach a sample preset (not a screenshot). You may be experiencing the dreaded "squirrels".

[EzraStompbox]

 

 

@rd2rk Here is the sample clip and the patch. 

 

PS: kindly ignore the horrible playing. it might be non musical because I played something randomly 

In my patch i am using an IR but regardless of whether I use stock cab / IR this "ticking" sound is present. In case you test my patch, please use a stock cab or any of your IRs in the block.

 

When I listen to this through my headphones with the HX stomp as an audio interface there is this ticking crackling kind of sound even at low volume. 

Through my PC speakers without the stomp I do not notice much. Please listen to it though your stomp and see if you get the same noise 

 

Hope I am not crazy :D 

 

 

[rd2rk]

I'm not hearing anything unusual, either from the clip (through HXS AUX or straight to speakers) or playing through your preset, through headphones or speakers.

Obviously, I'm using a different IR, but you said that didn't matter. All I hear is the normal "hi-gain" type noise, and nothing when playing clean. Certainly no "ticking" noise.

Did you check to see that you're using a filtered power strip? Different wall outlet (on a different house circuit)?

Try moving the router to at least 10 feet away? No cell phone nearby?

If you live in an apartment, could the neighbors have a router or signal booster of some sort near an adjacent wall (move your rig to test)?

FWIW - my router is about 6 feet away and my iPhone is 1 foot away from my HXS.

Only other thing I can think of would be a faulty HXS power supply.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

[EzraStompbox]

@rd2rk No problem....thanks for confirming that there is no noise in the recording....that's a relief

 

 I will buy a new good quality power strip and try it far away from the router in another wall socket. cheers