Transistor crackle, even when not connected

[acehobojoe]

http://youtu.be/T8ncQR2ALLM Video example

Schematic of what I'm doing :
http://www.runoffgroove.com/peppermill.html


I can't tell what's going on. I'm assuming that the 9v is flowing into the circuit, but then again, it might not be. Even with the transistor removed it still happens, which it shouldn't, because it's only connected to passive components.

Best I can tell, it is connected straight to the input cap, and nothing else. except the 1m. the cable is fine... gorsh. what could it be?

[PRR]

I'm not going to play the video; dogs are asleep.

However "crackle" is MUCH more likely to be bad connections than semiconductors. (And when a transistor does crackle, again it is bad connection, just inside.)

I'm also wondering about a wide-open on-the-bench test. Crackle "could" any/all electric things inside the room getting into the unshielded board.

[Quackzed]

...even the battery could be the culprit... (bad connection of one of the 'cells' inside...)

[acehobojoe]

disconnected the 9v, still crackle. that must mean its the input going to the board, because it wouldn't get past the gate of the transistor with no transistor, narrowing out anything past it. I use neutrik connectors, they require much heat.