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Projects => Tech Help - Projects Page => Topic started by: atomicbot on April 11, 2015, 07:06:02 PM

Title: Bloviator buzzing sound troubleshooting [SOLVED]
Post by: atomicbot on April 11, 2015, 07:06:02 PM
Hey guys!

I just completed the board and wiring for the bloviator and gave it a test run outside of the box.  It powers on (LED lights on and off when I use the switch), but the only sound that comes out is a constant buzz.

If I touch both jacks with my hands it shorts it and the buzzing stops, though no guitar signal is still present. I checked the underside of the board with a razor and didn't see any solder bridges.  Any thoughts on what I screwed up?  This is my sixth DIY build, but first non-kit.
Title: Re: Bloviator troubleshooting
Post by: copachino on April 11, 2015, 07:08:25 PM
looks like grounding issue any pic?? if its outside the box both in and out should be grounded
Title: Re: Bloviator troubleshooting
Post by: atomicbot on April 11, 2015, 07:13:51 PM
I just realized when I was positioning it to take a picture that I have leads 1 and 3 backwards on the process pot.  D'oh!
Title: Re: Bloviator buzzing sound troubleshooting
Post by: atomicbot on April 11, 2015, 08:06:10 PM
While it was good to fix the wiring for the pot, it didn't actually resolve the buzzing sound.  These photos aren't the best quality (although they're good enough to show my amateur soldering skills  :-[ ), but hopefully they might shed some light.  :D
Title: Re: Bloviator buzzing sound troubleshooting
Post by: atomicbot on April 11, 2015, 08:07:05 PM
Close up of the PCB.  Some of these are pretty tightly packed together but I don't believe any leads are touching.
Title: Re: Bloviator buzzing sound troubleshooting
Post by: atomicbot on April 11, 2015, 08:07:51 PM
Blurry photo of the switch.  :P  Gobs of solder! :P
Title: Re: Bloviator buzzing sound troubleshooting
Post by: copachino on April 11, 2015, 09:29:05 PM
had you tried grounding the output jack??, it must be grounded for the fx to work, normally they are grounded by the enclosure but outside the enclosure must be wired ground both
Title: Re: Bloviator buzzing sound troubleshooting
Post by: jimilee on April 11, 2015, 11:17:51 PM
Is there a jumper between lugs 3 and 6?


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Title: Re: Bloviator buzzing sound troubleshooting
Post by: atomicbot on April 12, 2015, 12:13:00 AM
Quote from: copachino on April 11, 2015, 09:29:05 PM
had you tried grounding the output jack??, it must be grounded for the fx to work, normally they are grounded by the enclosure but outside the enclosure must be wired ground both

I don't believe I tried that, yet.  Will let you know what happens!
Title: Re: Bloviator buzzing sound troubleshooting
Post by: atomicbot on April 12, 2015, 12:14:02 AM
Quote from: jimilee on April 11, 2015, 11:17:51 PM
Is there a jumper between lugs 3 and 6?


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Yea, though it's really hard to see in the photo because the wire is black.  Next time I think I'll just use short lengths of unshielded wire instead.
Title: Re: Bloviator buzzing sound troubleshooting
Post by: Leevibe on April 12, 2015, 12:28:16 AM
Quote from: atomicbot on April 12, 2015, 12:13:00 AM
Quote from: copachino on April 11, 2015, 09:29:05 PM
had you tried grounding the output jack??, it must be grounded for the fx to work, normally they are grounded by the enclosure but outside the enclosure must be wired ground both

I don't believe I tried that, yet.  Will let you know what happens!

I'm pretty sure this is your problem. Until you get it in the enclosure, connect a jumper between the sleeve lugs of your two jacks. Your input is grounded but your output isn't. This would cause the problem you're describing.
Title: Re: Bloviator buzzing sound troubleshooting
Post by: atomicbot on April 12, 2015, 12:52:01 AM
Quote from: Leevibe on April 12, 2015, 12:28:16 AM
Quote from: atomicbot on April 12, 2015, 12:13:00 AM
Quote from: copachino on April 11, 2015, 09:29:05 PM
had you tried grounding the output jack??, it must be grounded for the fx to work, normally they are grounded by the enclosure but outside the enclosure must be wired ground both

I don't believe I tried that, yet.  Will let you know what happens!

I'm pretty sure this is your problem. Until you get it in the enclosure, connect a jumper between the sleeve lugs of your two jacks. Your input is grounded but your output isn't. This would cause the problem you're describing.

That's absolutely what it was.  Once I grounded the output jack it worked like a charm, not too mention sounds really, really good.  It's like the sound of my guitar came alive.   ;D 8)
Title: Re: Bloviator buzzing sound troubleshooting [SOLVED]
Post by: copachino on April 12, 2015, 03:47:53 AM
That one happened me before thats why i was sure about it