Boss RV-3 problems

MikeH · March 12, 2007, 05:49:36 PM

I posted this a year or so ago, but didn't get an answer... When I switch my Boss RV-3 on and off, there's a slight "hiccup" or break in the signal. It's not so noticable when switching the effect off, but very noticable when switching it on. I haven't really been using it because of this, and I'm ready to just scrap it if I can't fix the problem.

GonzoFonts · March 13, 2007, 02:48:54 AM

I'm guessing that the RV-3 is surface mount technology which will make it hard to work on.

Have you been able to dig up a schematic? It would be a huge help if you could.

With out a schematic, the only thing I could recommend is to open it up and with a magnifying glass, look over every thing for something obvious like a leaky cap or an SMD device that is not properly seated (I've seen this a few times).

Sorry I could not be of more help.

GF

MikeH · March 13, 2007, 09:20:19 AM

That's cool. I've seen the scematic before, and it's freaking insane. It looks like the scematic to a nuclear reactor. I've actually talked to a few other people who've all had the same problem with theirs. You'd think with such a common problem there would be a well-known solution.

Branimir · June 22, 2008, 09:55:26 PM

Sorry for bringing this topic to the page one after a year or so, but I have the same prob with the RV-3, and I now I think it's not a problem - it is a feature, no wonder Boss stopped making these pedals heh...

Anyways, is there a way to fix this "hiccup" thing?

Here's the nuclear reactor schem:
http://www.freeinfosociety.com/electronics/schemview.php?id=168

The pedal itself is fun to play with and offers a wide variety of reverb/delay sounds, but the hiccup thing makes it quite annoying to use in a live situation.

Heh to many features in a single pedal, there had to be "something" wrong about it... Damn you mr. Murphy!

DWBH · May 10, 2009, 04:50:03 PM

My RV-3 does this as well. I think it's fixable, because I've talked to some people and their RV-3s don't have this hiccup 'feature'.
Mine does, and it'd be sooo cool to get rid of it.

DWBH · May 10, 2009, 05:42:57 PM

After a quick glimpse at the schematic, I think it's impossible to remove this 'switching hiccup', as the switching system is not the same system used in other Boss pedals. The switch in the RV-3 is connected directly to IC10, which - I think - controls all the bypass/trails features of the pedal. And one can't mod a chip

Branimir · May 10, 2009, 05:47:54 PM

I sold my pedal some time ago...

I guess the chip needs some time to start processing the AD converted data, hence the gap?

Too bad about that, since it's a quite popular postrock/postmetal pedal after all...

DWBH · May 10, 2009, 05:52:52 PM

Quote from: Branimir on May 10, 2009, 05:47:54 PM
I sold my pedal some time ago...

I guess the chip needs some time to start processing the AD converted data, hence the gap?

Too bad about that, since it's a quite popular postrock/postmetal pedal after all...

I guess so... I bought it because all the cool cats in the post-rock scene are using it

slideman82 · May 10, 2009, 06:25:04 PM

I use to have one from a freidn, I tried to repair it, it was a bypass problem (bypass FETs removed, but was the same), but it might be that IC10 MC33470 that needs to be programmed... it really sounds awesome, but sure it's a problematic pedal.

composition4 · May 10, 2009, 11:02:43 PM

Have you considered making it power up always-on, then true-bypassing it (or replacing with a bypass method of your choice?)

Jonathan

DWBH · May 11, 2009, 10:03:42 AM

Maybe using a bypass looper - well, not true bypass - that will turn the unit on and off (with trails) is an option.
If it were an easy fix, I'd probably do it. Since it isn't, and as the pedal maybe accumulate value over time, I won't risk it.

MikeH · May 11, 2009, 01:48:58 PM

I swear to god so many threads I have started have come back from the dead recently!

Just as an update, I still have not fixed the problem, other than by not using the pedal anymore.

DWBH · May 11, 2009, 05:34:20 PM

I've been considering putting it in a true bypass loop. It be cool to keep the trails, though.

Taylor · May 11, 2009, 05:52:14 PM

It would be pretty easy to have an external bypass box that still keeps the trails. All you need is an SPDT. Connect the output of the RV-3 to the bypass box's output, then use the switch to swap the guitar signal between the RV-3's input and the bypass box's output.

DWBH · May 11, 2009, 06:04:45 PM

Indeed. Might be something to consider.

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Boss RV-3 problems