Members endo23 Posted July 6, 2006 Members Share Posted July 6, 2006 So after many years of curiosity I finally picked up a Whammy II... got a good price so I can filp it if it doesn't work out. Well, the effects sound great and I could see integrating the pedal into some songs, but the NOISE is absolutely killer. I'm wondering how normal this is-- did the pedal sound like this when it was brand new?-- and if so, how you combat it/deal with it in your rig? I've been using the pedal alone so far, so it's not an issue of where it's at in the chain. I've also adjusted the Input trim a bunch, and even at the lowest possible setting, there's a lot of background noise when I engage the effect. I wouldn't mind at all if the noise was inaudible when playing, but it seems to reappear as soon as notes start decaying, which means you have to play everything with a short attack to get a clean sound. This makes me wonder how people ever used the pedal as a "chorus" -- seems like it would sound terrible. Anyway, thoughts? I'd especially love to hear from Whammy II users... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Yarmo Posted July 6, 2006 Members Share Posted July 6, 2006 Mine is an XP-100. I have never played a II but you might find this useful anyway: I run in the FX loop. The noise is inherent but I wouldn't qualify it as problematic as you do. Maybe something's wrong with the unit?? It does affect overall tone when in the loop and I'm in the process of getting a loooper dealy. Best of luck! -Y- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted July 6, 2006 Members Share Posted July 6, 2006 Sorry mang ... I'm a Whammy IV user but I get ZERO noise when using it either on it's own or with other pedals ... I told ya to get a Whammy IV but you HAD to go and get a II. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DJLantz444 Posted July 6, 2006 Members Share Posted July 6, 2006 Originally posted by TIKIROCKER Sorry mang ... I'm a Whammy IV user but I get ZERO noise when using it either on it's own or with other pedals ... I told ya to get a Whammy IV but you HAD to go and get a II. Moral of the story.. listen to Tiki. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ZJD Posted July 6, 2006 Members Share Posted July 6, 2006 Well, I'm not an expert, but I do advise you to run that thing through an effects loop of an amp if you have one. Or run it in a true bypass loop. Like one that you used to be able to order from Loooper.com; now peeps can order from forumite dot-dot-dot or pacific coast customs etc. I picked up the WH-1 myself and when I get around to it and stop buying crap, I'll be sending it of to Analogman for his TB mod because I'm not smart enough to do it myself. The bypass is just crappy sounding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members endo23 Posted July 6, 2006 Author Members Share Posted July 6, 2006 Cool. But to clarify, I'm not worried about the bypassed signal... it's actually when the pedal is on that I find the noise distracting. To be specific, Tiki-- when you're in detune mode, can you play open chords and let them ring and get a lush chorus sound? There's no background noise at all? (Maybe I'll go play a IV during lunch break and see how they compare...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Yarmo Posted July 6, 2006 Members Share Posted July 6, 2006 Not answering for Tiki, but I get the lushness you're refering to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted July 6, 2006 Members Share Posted July 6, 2006 Originally posted by endo23 Cool. But to clarify, I'm not worried about the bypassed signal... it's actually when the pedal is on that I find the noise distracting.To be specific, Tiki-- when you're in detune mode, can you play open chords and let them ring and get a lush chorus sound? There's no background noise at all?(Maybe I'll go play a IV during lunch break and see how they compare...) Hey mate, Yeah the heavy detune is one of the MAJOR things I love about the Whammy IV as seriously I tell ya no lie ... it's lush and nothing else - I get zero noise or anything akin to what you are describing at all. It's like playing through any other dedicated unit. Hmmm let me ask you this - what power pack are you runnin your II with? Reason I ask is because I was powering up my Roland BF-1 the other day and I got a distorted noise coming from the effect at the tail of playing some notes etc ... when I changed the power supply I no longer had this problem and the noise went away. First off, try a different 18 volt power supply - I assume that the II takes an 18? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members j_hotch Posted July 6, 2006 Members Share Posted July 6, 2006 I would also make sure that you are using a power supply with the correct rating. The Whammy II needs a specific power supply which is not a standard, boss-type adapter. I would email support at Digitech and verify that the one you are using is sufficient for the Whammy II. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Yarmo Posted July 6, 2006 Members Share Posted July 6, 2006 +1 on the power supply. The XP-100 runs on 12V. So e-mail them, they're fast in their replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members endo23 Posted July 6, 2006 Author Members Share Posted July 6, 2006 Thanks, guys... I just assumed it was the original power supply, but you may be right. Tiki, that's the EXACT sound I'm talking about, it's digi-noise at the tail end of the notes. Hope that's the issue. If I can get this thing to work without noise, it'll be my new favorite toy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted July 7, 2006 Members Share Posted July 7, 2006 Originally posted by endo23 Thanks, guys... I just assumed it was the original power supply, but you may be right. Tiki, that's the EXACT sound I'm talking about, it's digi-noise at the tail end of the notes. Hope that's the issue. If I can get this thing to work without noise, it'll be my new favorite toy. Yup, then I would bet 99c on the dollar that's your problem - either faulty power supply or incorrect MA rating to match the voltage. Let us know how you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members endo23 Posted July 7, 2006 Author Members Share Posted July 7, 2006 TIKI, Just got home-- the power supply does not look original-- or at least it doesn't say "DigiTech" or anything on it. Appears to be manufactured by Harmon Pro Group (makers of JBL speakers, Lexicon processors, etc). So, I have sent an email to DOD-- Anyone out there know what power supply the Whammy II requires? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members loofery Posted July 7, 2006 Members Share Posted July 7, 2006 I just got a 2 for 170 shipped tonight can't wait Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members endo23 Posted July 7, 2006 Author Members Share Posted July 7, 2006 Loof, that's a great deal... If you'd be so kind as to PM me with the power supply specs, I'd truly appreciate it. In the meantime, enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members loofery Posted July 7, 2006 Members Share Posted July 7, 2006 Originally posted by endo23 Loof, that's a great deal... If you'd be so kind as to PM me with the power supply specs, I'd truly appreciate it. In the meantime, enjoy! well it won't be here til next week and I'm sure you can find the info by then. I am so psyched though. Hopefully yours works out and we can start a 2 club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted July 7, 2006 Members Share Posted July 7, 2006 Originally posted by endo23 TIKI,Just got home-- the power supply does not look original-- or at least it doesn't say "DigiTech" or anything on it. Appears to be manufactured by Harmon Pro Group (makers of JBL speakers, Lexicon processors, etc).So, I have sent an email to DOD--Anyone out there know what power supply the Whammy II requires? Can you not just go to the website and find a manual online ... it should have all specs but I'll do a check for you now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members endo23 Posted July 7, 2006 Author Members Share Posted July 7, 2006 Originally posted by TIKIROCKER Can you not just go to the website and find a manual online ... it should have all specs but I'll do a check for you now. Couldn't find the II on their site. But now I'm really confused, because the DigiTech site indicates that HARMAN owns them, so this may indeed be the original power supply. Maybe it's just a bad one, though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted July 7, 2006 Members Share Posted July 7, 2006 Originally posted by endo23 Couldn't find the II on their site. But now I'm really confused, because the DigiTech site indicates that HARMAN owns them, so this may indeed be the original power supply. Maybe it's just a bad one, though... Try this page it has Whammy generic for download as manual ... http://www.digitech.com/literature.htm I'll have a look at my own Whammy manual and see if that has anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members endo23 Posted July 7, 2006 Author Members Share Posted July 7, 2006 Well, my power supply is the PS913B. The current Whammy IV literature suggests as PS913. So either this supply has gone bad... or the WII requires a different supply and this was purchased as a replacement... or there's something else wrecking the tone of the pedal. I dunno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted July 7, 2006 Members Share Posted July 7, 2006 Ok what you want is a 9 VAC that has 1.3 Amps output ... that's the tricky bit. Apparently ALL Whammy require this according to my manual. So as long as it's a 9 volt with 1.3 amps you're good to go - check this first though. If the old one is correct go to a music store and try yours with a NEW adapter before you buy one to make sure it's the adapter and NOT the pedal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members endo23 Posted July 7, 2006 Author Members Share Posted July 7, 2006 Tiki, thanks. That is the adapter I have, spec-wise, so I'll have to try another one to figure out if it's the pedal or not. Cheers, mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted July 7, 2006 Members Share Posted July 7, 2006 No worries ... hope it works out cause they are great pedals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AbbeSauniere Posted July 7, 2006 Members Share Posted July 7, 2006 The Whammy II is pretty noisy when engaged. I've had 2 of them and I found a noise suppressor is the only decent solution. The current Whammy power supply will work fine with the II. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members endo23 Posted July 7, 2006 Author Members Share Posted July 7, 2006 Well, I dunno anymore. Right under the adapter jack on the back of my Whammy II is some text-- it's mostly erased ( of course!!!) but I can see that the mA requirement ends in "80." So it's not 1300, I don't think. Anyone out there with a Whammy II that can read the back text for me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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