Been reading here a while, first post!
I have a question concerning a digitech XP100 Whammy-Wah.
Could the processor or drive circuit be changed to yield a better S/N ratio? Both of mine exhibit the same hiss.
Just seems something could be done. I keep the Tone-sucker in my loop, but engaged is the problem. The crazy thing is, none of the effects on it are gain driven, just pitch and wah...
I think about the best you could do would be companding.The NE570 or one of the similar chips compresses in front of the a-d conversion, then expands after the d-a conversion. This comparatively raises the level of the lowest instrument signals, which has the relative effect of lowering noise.
Of course, you could just try a booster in front of the xp100 if your signal is not loud enough initially to get the best s/n ratio. The first Whammy had an auto-leveling circuit to maximize this, but I don't know if the xp100 does.
Interesting. I will play with gain levels before it for now..
It has a level knob on the rear, which adjusts signal level coming in...As many 8+ legged creatures as there are in there, I can't tell what anything is...yet!
I have a 2nd one open now, when I have some rest I will see what I can do to it...
Thanks...
I gave up losing....I believe it is the A/C power making the noise. Played with compressor and eq settings pre-whammy, no less hiss, but WAY better tracking.
You might be right. I have a WhammyII, which has a gain control like the XP100. My Alesis 3630 compressor uses a 9VAC adaptor as well, which I tried with the Whammy, and it's a bit of an improvement. I've never had any tracking issues, though.
Actually all my pedals are running at 9vdc, Where the XP100 takes a/c to the board. Did yours run off of DC9v from the compressor? (not familiar with the WH2). My compressor was as quiet as a compressor could be, until the whammy gets plugged in.