Fortin Zuul nasty hum issue.

[psychodave]

Does anyone have this issue?

I’ve tried different cables, buffers and it doesn’t go away.

 

[stratjacket]

Have you tried to bypass the Zuul altogether and see if the hum still exists?
In the video you unplugged it and broke the circuit, but I mean plug everything in (bypass the Zuul) so you could still play and see if it still hums. It sounds to me like a grounding issue somewhere and with the Zuul engaged, it is cutting the noise out.

 

[jc986]

What do you have feeding the key input? Also, maybe try using a battery instead of the power supply just to see if that might be the culprit.

 

[scottosan]

Using the same power source for the Zuul and another pedal in the loop?

 

[jc986]

Using the same power source for the Zuul and another pedal in the loop?

In the video it looks like the Zuul is the only pedal in the loop.

 

[harddriver]

Are you using the Chase Secret preamp in front of it, just curious?. Those EP3 preamps can be an impedance issue with certain type buffers and overdrives.

Have you isolated the Zuul completely by itself or is it in conjunction with other pedals being used?

What has Fortin said in response to your videos of the the noises? I know you asked in that other thread.

 

[fearhk213]

Using the same power source for the Zuul and another pedal in the loop?

Yeah my guess is ground loop noise too. I was using my Spliff to feed the key input of my Zuul and noticed some hum. I switched to the Spliff’s isolated out to feed the key and that killed the noise.

Edit: If the pedal feeding the zuul’s key input doesn’t have an isolated out, try some batteries in one to see if that kills the noise. I’d try it in one at a time just to be sure there isn’t something wrong with the pedals power supply inlet.

 

[psychodave]

Out front I’m using a Empress buffer to split the signal. That is being powered by a pedal power ISO 5 power supply. From the empress I’m going into a VFE Standout then into the amp. The Zuul is being powered by a Boss power supply plugged into the same outlet as the pedal power. I also tried using a CAE buffer that has two outputs. Same issue. The Zuul is the only pedal being used in the loop. I’m using a Furman EMI/EFI/surge power strip plugged into a wall line that comes directly from the service panel.

I had a battery in the Zuul and it still made the hum. I actually removed the battery thinking maybe it was shifting on something or causing an issue.

When I take the Zuul out of the loop, the hum goes away as in the end of the video.

 

[jc986]

I'd probably start by trying a 9V in the Zuul to eliminate the Boss power supply. If that doesn't fix it, I'd try just the Empress buffer and the Zuul. If that doesn't work you know it is either the Buffer or the Zuul. If it does, I'd try introducing each other pedal in the chain back one at a time.

 

[psychodave]

I'd probably start by trying a 9V in the Zuul to eliminate the Boss power supply. If that doesn't fix it, I'd try just the Empress buffer and the Zuul. If that doesn't work you know it is either the Buffer or the Zuul. If it does, I'd try introducing each other pedal in the chain back one at a time.

Thanks. I’ll try it tomorrow. I have a feeling it’s either the Boss power supply or the Zuuls power supply inlet... I just have a sneaky suspicion because the other day I turned on everything and no noise was coming out of the amp. I sent through everything and finally narrowed it down to the Zuul. I unplugged power supply and plugged it back in and I got sound.

Thanks for the ideas and help. It’s appreciated.

 

[K-Roll]

Man, i have the same thing happening with my zuul, tried different isolated supplies, changed cables, i'm using a lehle P Split II (even the ground lift wont make a difference)
I even have a second zuul cause the first one had to be returned, the poor guy one day started to gate everything no matter how you turn the threshold . When engaged, no sound, when disengaged you could play but with shit ton of eeeeeeeeeeek.

I'll be wondering if you figure something out, seriously, I have not found the culprit yet. What I am planning to do is to try my set up in another building when we record in 2weeks' time. Just to see if the zuul is picking up some electricity problems.
good luck!

 

[sleewell2]

Grab a ns-2 and call it a day. $265 for a noise gate that adds noise lolololololol

 

[Racerxrated]

Grab a ns-2 and call it a day. $265 for a noise gate that adds noise lolololololol

Big noticeable tonal change from my experience with the Boss...shaves off a good amount of high end. Decimator pedal works much better to my ears.

 

[LP Freak]

I’m going with Boss power supply

 

[motorboy1]

Big noticeable tonal change from my experience with the Boss...shaves off a good amount of high end. Decimator pedal works much better to my ears.

Yeah loves me some Decimator too. Best noisegate to my ears.

 

[psychodave]

So I tried using the Zuul without any power supply and it didn’t help. I tried it with different sources for the key input (I used 2 different buffers and an analog man stereo chorus with dual outputs). I also tried several different cables and routed them away from the amp. Nothing made a difference with the hum.

https://youtu.be/t_RggoZKxSE

 

[stratjacket]

What happens with the buzz if you go:
Guitar -> buffer -> pedals -> amp
Nothing plugged into loop, loop off. No Zuul attached at all.

 

[psychodave]

What happens with the buzz if you go:
Guitar -> buffer -> pedals -> amp
Nothing plugged into loop, loop off. No Zuul attached at all.

Zero hum. Just amp hiss. I remove the Zuul in my first video with everything else plugged in @ 1:14.

 

[K-Roll]

Those of you who run a zuul - have you guys noticed that it slightly boosts your tone when engaged like I do?

It's like a very noticeable miid/high mid frequency bump plus some glass on top..and it also increases the gain a bit? Sounds a bit like stepping on a tube screamer.
there's a big difference between it being disengaged and on. Which is weird, cause' I'm even running a Jhs buffer as my first pedal on the input side of things then through the p split II into zuul key input with the main chain to maxon and my amp.

 

[jc986]

What happens with the buzz if you go:
Guitar -> buffer -> pedals -> amp
Nothing plugged into loop, loop off. No Zuul attached at all.

Zero hum. Just amp hiss. I remove the Zuul in my first video with everything else plugged in @ 1:14.

I think you've pretty much isolated the issue to the Zuul's key input. Have you contacted Fortin about this?