Red Llama ultra high freq oscillation

Started by Strategy, July 15, 2010, 05:48:58 PM

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Strategy

One of my bands went into a real studio to record a real album with a real record producer for a real label. I've worked for real labels a ton on real records, but usually solo efforts recorded at home, this was a first being in a semi big time production situation. What the clarity and producer participation really made me realize is how much NOISE I ignore or don't recognize in my home recording efforts. In a clean studio environment any issues with your gear become a lot more apparent. 

Among other things, we learned: my Red Llama emits a ultra high frequency constant whine. I used the Gaussmarkov layout, it is my cleanest build yet as far as internal wiring, etc. ..and a fresh battery.

I used this pedal with a refurbished Rhodes piano and a Fender DeVille. And on all the songs where I'm using the Red Llama for dirt - (it sounds awesome on Rhodes, really nails 1970s hard fusion sound) - there is this super high frequency whine.

I basically can't hear this oscillation on my home studio equipment, which, as one might expect, has a really high noise floor. I have tried to reproduce this whine and it's not as obvious. I don't even really hear high frequencies well enough to hear it coming out of the amp in the room, but my bandmates could hear it and so could the engineer. They said it sounded like the alarm system in a big box store, you know when you go to Target and you can hear the electrical/fluorescent/whatever it is whining away in the background. The oscillation was VERY present in the booth - my channel was going through a Neve console and with compression, which probably made that high frequency very apparent...maybe even exaggerated?

In the end the producer asked me to keep the pedal on my chain and it ended up getting used in all my rhodes takes, in spite of the noise, because it was such a crucial boost and drive sound. But the noise was a bummer.

Does anyone know whether this is a known issue with Red Llamas? Probably tolerable in my home recording situation, or for live or rehearsing, but if it is just part of the design, that's too bad.

Any help appreciated!
- Strategy
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Brymus

Try a 5 - 22n cap from the V+ pin to ground,(should be as close to the IC as possible) yeah this is an issue with CMOS pedals,but apparently doesnt happen all the time.
Also you can try upping the voltage to 12V,I found that upping the voltage will get rid of the oscillation sometimes as well,it also gives the pedal more bite  :icon_cool:
So a simple solution would be to try a 12-16V regulated wall wart.
I'm no EE or even a tech,just a monkey with a soldering iron that can read,and follow instructions. ;D
My now defunct band http://www.facebook.com/TheZedLeppelinExperience

caress


Strategy

I'll try the extra cap in that value range! Thank you Brymus!

I had not heard that about CMOS oscillation. Good to know.

- Strategy

Quote from: Brymus on July 15, 2010, 06:22:38 PM
Try a 5 - 22n cap from the V+ pin to ground,(should be as close to the IC as possible) yeah this is an issue with CMOS pedals,but apparently doesnt happen all the time.
Also you can try upping the voltage to 12V,I found that upping the voltage will get rid of the oscillation sometimes as well,it also gives the pedal more bite  :icon_cool:
So a simple solution would be to try a 12-16V regulated wall wart.
-----------------------------------------------------
www.strategymusic.com
www.community-library.net
https://soundcloud.com/strategydickow
https://twitter.com/STRATEGY_PaulD

Strategy

Yes I think that's what our producer/engineer will do  :)

Quote from: caress on July 15, 2010, 06:35:23 PM
eq it out   ;)
-----------------------------------------------------
www.strategymusic.com
www.community-library.net
https://soundcloud.com/strategydickow
https://twitter.com/STRATEGY_PaulD