Radio station in my guitar amp!

[AudioWebs]

There is a radio station that comes through my guitar amp speakers!!!!!!!

It changes in volume based on where I stand in the room, even when I'm not touching the guitar.

Any ideas on how to remove this? It's horrible because I can't mic my amp to record, this is a nightmare.

All help GREATLY appreciate - any devices to help this etc.....

It has a 3 prong - I've tried other outlets in the apt etc...

 

[Outlaws]

That happens.

 

[AudioWebs]

That happens.

Yeah thanks for the help. Why does it happen, and how can I stop it. These are the important questions.

 

[Richard Monroe]

You are experiencing the dreaded RFI (radio frequency interference) You trouble shoot it like anything else, one component at a time. First, try a really good cable, something you should own anyway. I recommend a heavily shielded one, such as a heavy duty Monster keyboard cable. Something else you should own- a good power conditioner, such as a Furman PM-8. This will get rid of any RFI that's in your power lines. Beecause it changes when you move around the room, I doubt that's your problem. The radio is using your guitar and it's cable as an antenna! Then try another guitar, then another amp. I'm betting if you switch to a good keyboard cable (which don't come cheap), your problem will be gone.
Last resort- if the problem really is the guitar, have someone with a real big clue check out the wiring and pots in your axe. It may need to be re-wired properly. I'm betting your cable is the problem, especially if it was intended as a PA speaker cable or patch, and not as an instrument cable. Good luck- Richie

 

[AudioWebs]

Richard - I appreciate your help but let me explain.

The radio comes throught he amp speakers when the amp is plugged in to the wall.

I do not need any cables or any guitars attached to the amp to get the radio. Problem has nothing to do with cables or my guitar, just the amp and ALL the wall plugs.

It is just the amp alone. So what do you think now?

 

[fenix]

whoah...that's a problem.

 

[Outlaws]

"I appreciate your help but let me explain.

The radio comes throught he amp speakers when the amp is plugged in to the wall."


Did he just say.......


"Something else you should own- a good power conditioner, such as a Furman PM-8. This will get rid of any RFI that's in your power lines."


You don't listen that well do you. ...caught up too much in your own self loathing.

Plus, its not really that important of a question as you said it is, in the grand scheme of life it is very minor. But go ahead, be a snottly little brat.

 

[Richard Monroe]

I think you need a power conditioner, and you may want to replace the power cable on the amp with something more heavily shielded. The fact that it changes when you move still means that the radio is using you and the axe for an antenna. It's using the amp for a receiver. The big question is whether the RFI is in the wall. If it is, a power conditioner should get rid of it. If not, there's an unshielded connection or pot in the amp that's picking it up. Does it do it with any other amps?-Richie

 

[AudioWebs]

I think you need a power conditioner, and you may want to replace the power cable on the amp with something more heavily shielded. The fact that it changes when you move still means that the radio is using you and the axe for an antenna. It's using the amp for a receiver. The big question is whether the RFI is in the wall. If it is, a power conditioner should get rid of it. If not, there's an unshielded connection or pot in the amp that's picking it up. Does it do it with any other amps?-Richie

Thanks. Ok - I don't know if it does it with other amps because I don't have any to test here.

So let's assume it's in the wall first. You say a power conditioner helps.

So how cheap can these get? If it's the amp I could have someone check, but I tend to suspect it's the walls because the amp didn't do it before I moved to this apartment, unless something inside the amp changed.

 

[AudioWebs]

What about cheaper ones such as this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...4018811827/g=home/search/detail/base_id/54046

I've got a budget.

 

[Richard Monroe]

I know about budgets, but I'm pretty sure the RP-8 is just a glorified power strip. I actually use one, jacked into my PM-8, just to get more plugs. Basically, these things come in 3 levels. Power strips, power conditioners, and voltage regulators. The last group is the most expensive, and probably not necessary for your needs. I believe they're bullshitting you when they say the RP-8 will do diddly about RFI. The first unit I suggested, PM-8, remains my best suggestion.-Richie

 

[AudioWebs]

Well sheeot. Can't afford that

 

[Ed Dixon]

If you amp has an external reverb tank, unplug it and see if radio continues. Sometimes older reverb tanks act as antennas and can receive.

If you plug it in at other locations in the house (upstairs, downstairs, etc), does it also come through?

Ed

 

[AudioWebs]

If you amp has an external reverb tank, unplug it and see if radio continues. Sometimes older reverb tanks act as antennas and can receive.

If you plug it in at other locations in the house (upstairs, downstairs, etc), does it also come through?

Ed

I think I tried the reverb box before - will try again.

it's an apt so it's a small place. I would try it at someone elses house if i could, but can't so far .

 

[FattMusiek]

That happens.

HAHA, man. So cold.

 

[MemoGtr]

hahahah this happenned once to me
but the problem was the effects pedal a friend used
anyway i didnt thouhgt of it as a problem, actually i found it interesting and recorded the radio and put it at the beginning of the song to create that weird effect.

anyhow, if its your amp that really sucks
im no elec. tech. but try using the amp somewhere else to see if it happens.

hey im curious, does it get a specific radio staion? is it always the same? hehe

 

[AudioWebs]

certain outlets in my apt produce less, and no (audible) radio.

yes it is of course the same station - it occurs because the frequency gets through.

the station is "wjzz" the local jazz station. Nothing like hearing whitney houstons "i will always love you" underneath my yngwie malmsteen riffs..........

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

This is a symptom of bad grounding...

A recent client brought in some sort of multi-pedal rig -- he hadn't plugged it in while noodling with the gtr plugged right into the amp - dead quiet... when it was time to start working on his sound he plugged the pedalboard in -- instant AM radio... his buddy (also a guitarist) had another similar board, plugged it in and it was dead quiet...

In any case, you should likely have the circuits checked both on your amp and your electrical outlets to make sure everything's grounded properly.

 

[AudioWebs]

This is a symptom of bad grounding...

A recent client brought in some sort of multi-pedal rig -- he hadn't plugged it in while noodling with the gtr plugged right into the amp - dead quiet... when it was time to start working on his sound he plugged the pedalboard in -- instant AM radio... his buddy (also a guitarist) had another similar board, plugged it in and it was dead quiet...

In any case, you should likely have the circuits checked both on your amp and your electrical outlets to make sure everything's grounded properly.

Hey blue. Through checking various outlets I am certain its the outlets and not the amp. One in the living room is dead silent, ones in the bedroom and against a certian wall are noisy with radio.

I don't think that if the outlets were not grounded, the maintenance crew would do a damn thing about it. Unless I convinced them it was a danger to something like computers in the building or something.

For now, this one outlet appears to be void of radio - i stuck my ear right up to the speaker and couldnt hear any - so I will try this for now.

 

[Alchemist3k]

There is a whole article on tackling problems associated with radio transmissions etc in this month's Sound On Sound.