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Tracking down hum and noise on a guitar pedalboard

plastiqueboutiqueukSoundcheck

Pedalboard noise is easier to solve when the chain is simplified methodically. I start with guitar straight into amp, then add the board with every pedal bypassed, and finally introduce pedals and patch cables one at a time. That separates instrument, amplifier, power and signal-chain problems.

Common causes include shared unisolated power, damaged patch leads, high-gain pedals amplifying upstream noise, lighting dimmers, and audio or power cables running together. Digital pedals can also introduce whine when daisy-chained with analogue effects.

What diagnostic order do you use, and which supposedly minor fault has caused the biggest headache on your board?

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Replies

owenliversidgeSoundcheck

A known-good short cable is invaluable. Swap one link at a time and do not change two variables together. I once blamed a power supply for noise that was actually a patch cable failing only when bent at a certain angle.

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juvanieminuzaSoundcheck

Testing in another room is useful when possible. If the entire problem disappears, the board may be reacting to mains noise, fluorescent lighting or another device on the circuit rather than having an internal fault.

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