MXR Noise Gate/Tonepad v2 volume drop

[runmikeyrun]

Hey guys,

I purchased a beautifully soldered MXR Noise Gate from Seven64 (thanks!!) and it works (almost) fine.  From what i've read on this project, a lot of people never get theirs to work, so I am eternally grateful that mine functions!  However, when the effect is engaged, there is a definite volume drop.  The attack and release all seem fine, it's just that the volume is considerably lower with the effect engaged.

This is an issue because I'm using it in the effects loop of my Peavey Windsor tube amp to shut off the "ocean" while i'm not playing.  I can't drive my amp to full volume or saturation because of the pedal's volume drop.  I did some searching on this on the board, and found some people complaining of the same problem, but no solutions.  Can anyone help?  I did check the obvious- cables, battery voltage.  All good.

Here's a link to the schematic: (you have to click on "to download file")
http://www.tonepad.com/getFileInfo.asp?id=77

Thanks in advance.

BTW here's a pic... I used a faceplate and knob from a 1930's radio tuner on the box because I'm lazy and hate painting and decals

[Seven64]

disregard my pm, i checked the file and it isn't the case.

could it possibly be because i used a 4558IP instead of a 4558D or 4558P?  I know switching between the 3 in my tubescreamer makes a pretty big difference, the IP being my least favorite which is why i was trying to use them up and put it in that pedal.

thanks for the compliments, sorry I didn't socket the IC tho  

[runmikeyrun]

no dude, it's all good... I got it.  I read the build notes @ Tonepad and people there were replacing the resistor between Ra and the gate of Q3 with a 1.8k (original is 1M) I did that and it fixed the volume drop problem but it  seemed to affect where on the sweep the gate cut off, so I just wired in a pot as a variable resistor.  Somewhere about halfway (~300-600k) it sounds fine without affecting the gate cut off point.

Keep in mind i'm using mine in a effects loop so it's seeing a different level of signal than that of a guitar.  I think that's why the 1.8k didn't work so well.

But yeah, she's workin good now... can't wait to try it on my rig @ practice.  Thanks again.  And no worries about the socket

[Seven64]

oh sick.  thats the same way to fix the volume drop in a crybaby, just a resistor swap.