| Author |
Topic: strange buzz sound with volume pedal , audio clip attached |
Ben Waismann
From:
Israel
|
Posted 5 Sep 2015 10:58 am |
|
Hello all!
Im playing the pedal steel few weeks now, and i encountered strange volume pedal problem, that it didnt cause too much problem while playing normally BUT!
when i opened pro tools to test some steel recording, the sound from the pedal gotten out of control.
here's an exmaple:
(forigve me playing, just few weeks you know  )
https://soundcloud.com/ben-waismann/pedal-steel-pedal-problem
you can see that without pedal playing, the sound is good.
but with the pedal being used, the buzz started.
I got GFI Ultra
amp: Peavey nashville.
What can cause this? the PL cable? the pedal itself?
Thank you all! |
|
|
 |
Philip Mitrakos
From:
The Beach South East Florida
|
Posted 5 Sep 2015 11:42 am
|
|
| Dirty volume pot ...needs cleaned or repalced |
|
|
|
Ben Waismann
From:
Israel
|
Posted 5 Sep 2015 11:53 am
|
|
| Philip Mitrakos wrote: |
| Dirty volume pot ...needs cleaned or repalced |
Hey thanks.
I consider myself as an english retarded human being.
can you explain a little more what is that volume pot? and how to reach that? |
|
|
|
Philip Mitrakos
From:
The Beach South East Florida
|
Posted 5 Sep 2015 12:22 pm
|
|
post a picture of your volume pedal...
Volume pedal has a volume knob in it ...
AKA (volume pot) |
|
|
|
Craig Baker
From:
Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
|
Posted 5 Sep 2015 12:32 pm
|
|
Hello Ben,
Welcome to the steel guitar community. The "pot" Phillip refers to is the electronic component within the volume pedal that regulates the signal level of the guitar. Here's a photo of a typical pot (short for potentiometer.)
Eventually, they wear internally and must be replaced. Yours sounds like it can be cleaned with a spray can available at electronic parts stores. If it has vent openings, spray into them. Otherwise you may need to carefully remove the cover to clean the inner-workings.
All the best to you Ben.
Regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name. |
|
|
|
Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
|
Posted 5 Sep 2015 12:49 pm
|
|
I'm not hearing any buzzing, but i am hearing a lot of distortion...probably caused by the steel overdriving your setup. Lower your levels, and see if the sound doesn't inprove! 
Also, you're "pumping" the volume pedal, and sneaking into a lot of the notes and chords on the solo clip. Learn to have the pedal slightly on when you hit the notes and chords, and you'll avoid that "waa-waa-waa" sound when you're playing. There's a big difference in the technique on the solo song, and the vocal/band version. What's played on the 2nd clip is far superior, so that's the technique to shoot for.  |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 5 Sep 2015 1:43 pm
|
|
Hey Craig!
What about that gadget Stew-Mac sell that screws onto the mounting threads around the shaft, and dribble cleaner into the pot? I've never tried one, and don't think it would work on a sealed/gasketed pot.
_________________
Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps |
|
|
|
Rich Upright
From:
Florida, USA
|
Posted 5 Sep 2015 2:03 pm
|
|
If the pot is sealed, I find that if I spray liberally around the bottom of the shaft and then turning the pot back and forth a number of times helps. You gotta really drench it.
_________________
A couple D-10s,some vintage guitars & amps, & lotsa junk in the gig bag. |
|
|
|
Ben Waismann
From:
Israel
|
Posted 6 Sep 2015 2:04 am
|
|
| Donny Hinson wrote: |
I'm not hearing any buzzing, but i am hearing a lot of distortion...probably caused by the steel overdriving your setup. Lower your levels, and see if the sound doesn't inprove!
Also, you're "pumping" the volume pedal, and sneaking into a lot of the notes and chords on the solo clip. Learn to have the pedal slightly on when you hit the notes and chords, and you'll avoid that "waa-waa-waa" sound when you're playing. There's a big difference in the technique on the solo song, and the vocal/band version. What's played on the 2nd clip is far superior, so that's the technique to shoot for. |
Thanks. actually that was Bucky Baxter on the second clip 
Thank you all for the kind and informative answers!! |
|
|
|
Craig Baker
From:
Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
|
Posted 6 Sep 2015 5:33 am
|
|
Mr. Billings,
Never tried the Stew-Mac gadget either, but it seems like the chemical would really have to take the long way around to get to the target.
It might have been good idea to have a very small hole, plugged with a very short screw (4-40 perhaps) that you could remove for spraying, then replace the screw.
Don't know if there would be enough clearance, but you've got me thinking John.
Craig
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name. |
|
|
|
Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
|
Posted 6 Sep 2015 5:55 am
|
|
http://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Contact_Cleaner/Pot_Cleaning_Cap.html
You got me very curious. John was quite accurate in describing it as '...dribbl[ing] cleaner into the pot'.
I'm not sure that this is much better (at $21) than just shooting it at the shaft (after protecting your surface). But, come to think of it, finish protection is no joke. If I had dozens of guitars needing service, this isn't a bad idea. |
|
|
|
