Is this normal? (Ernie Ball Volume Problem...)

Morbid · #1 10-04-2008, 01:14 AM

Hey Guys.

This may seem like a ridiculous question, but I have to ask.

I have an Ernie Ball Volume Pedal (One with the tuner out)and I use it in my FX loop, as I prefer it for Volume swells and the like. But when I have the pedal rolled all the way back (What should be volume off entirely)and I'm on my lead Channel (Mesa Boogie Mark IV)I can still hear my guitar. I've taken the pedal apart and readjusted the clam so the volume should be all the way off, but even still, I can hear my guitar.

Is that normal?

corey j grieve · #2 10-04-2008, 01:27 AM

It seems that you may be running your loop in paralel which runs the amptone and effects side by side like two cars driving side by side on a road. This would mean that anytime you cut the effects in the loop the amp tone is still unchanged and audible. To achieve what you want you would have to run your loop in serial which puts everything in a row,which in turn means any time any effect is muted the entire signal will be muted/cut.
Hope this is your problem and helps you out.

Morbid · #3 10-04-2008, 01:34 AM

Hrm. Well, the volume pedal works perfectly except for the fact that it won't cut out entirely.
When I pull the volume pedal all the way back, it gets much quieter, but the sound is still there.
The way I have things hooked up right now is;
Mark IV FX Send --> Volume Pedal Input
Volume Pedal Output --> Rocktron Xpression Input
Rocktron Xpression Output --> Mark IV FX Return

I was told that was how it should be, but perhaps that person was mistaken?

corey j grieve · #4 10-04-2008, 01:43 AM

Again you would have to check the series/paralell thing,i would also try putting the vol pedal at the end of the chain. If sound still is audible when its placed last it would have to be a paralell loop or faulty pedal. Im not familiar with your amp but does it have a loop mix control knob or switch for series/paralell?

Morbid · #5 10-04-2008, 01:48 AM

I placed the volume pedal at the end of the chain. No change.

I also don't have a switch or knob for serial or parallel. =(

corey j grieve · #6 10-04-2008, 01:53 AM

Yeah just checked the web page for the amp.It does'nt state what kind of loop it is,i assume your running mono everything? Sorry i could'nt help mate,you got me stumped! Wait for the Mesa guy's to get on here,im sure they will know.

Morbid · #7 10-04-2008, 01:55 AM

Yep, mono everything.

No big deal dude, I appreciate ya tryin.

EL-CeeDee · #8 10-04-2008, 03:16 AM

The loop is parallel, try adjusting the loop/mix ( can't remember, just woke up ) knob on the back of the amp.
Maybe that's the culprit that doesn't go to 100%

Morbid · #9 10-04-2008, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-CeeDee

The loop is parallel, try adjusting the loop/mix ( can't remember, just woke up ) knob on the back of the amp.
Maybe that's the culprit that doesn't go to 100%

There is no such knob =/

EL-CeeDee · #10 10-04-2008, 03:49 AM

wicked...

HOw loud is the signal coming through when the volume pedal is rolled down?

Morbid · #11 10-04-2008, 04:05 AM

Pretty loud considering what it's supposed to be.
I mean, I can't tell you the decibels, haha, but I can clearly hear what I'm playing, and a mic would certainly pick it up.

waylay00 · #12 10-04-2008, 01:14 PM

That's weird. I remember Petrucci saying that he uses a volume pedal in the loop of his Mark IVs to do complete volume swells. And I remember hearing them at G3 too! (They didn't sound like volume swells in front of the preamp either).

Morbid · #13 10-04-2008, 05:07 PM

Yeah, like you said, John uses them in the loop.
That was what originally made me throw the volume pedal in the loop. It just so happened that I preferred the way it sounded, but with my little volume issue, it really kills the volume swells, haha.

EL-CeeDee · #14 10-05-2008, 07:26 AM

Well, let's find the culprit

If the pedal is in front of your amp, does it completely lower the volume to 0 ?
( with this, we can rule out either the pedal or the effects loop )
If it does, there is a part of the signal bypassing the effects loop.
if it doesn't the pedal is not ok.
( best checked using a high gain patch btw )

Google doesn't give much information on what type of fx loop the amp has, but most information seems to point to a serial effects loop. This would mean there should be no "leakage" if there is a closed volume pedal in the loop.
So, if the pedal is good, and "leakage" occurs, get the amp to a tech.
if the pedal doesn't kill volume completely in front of the amp,. get the pedal checked

Morbid · #15 10-11-2008, 03:06 PM

Hey guys.
I spoke to Ernie Ball yesterday afternoon. Great people!
They've set me up to exchange my pedal with one from my local music store. The guy I spoke to said that I definitely shouldn't be having this issue.
So I'm going to exchange the pedal and that should hopefully fix my problems

I'll update this thread when I get the exchange taken care of.