MXR Custom Phase 90 squealing noise

[sombersoul]

I'm experiencing loud squealing noises coming from my Custom Phase 90 whenever it is engaged. This problem appeared suddenly and I haven't been able to find out the reason. However, the pedal works fine when used with a separate wall-wart power supply.

So far, I have been using the Phase 90 on my main pedal board, powered by a Voodoo Pedal Power II Plus, going into an Orange TH30. Before that, I was using a EHX Small Stone that stopped working properly. For about half a year the Phase 90 was working fine, then all of a sudden it started producing unbearable squealing noises when engaged.

Here's what I've already tried to find the reasons:

- Putting the pedal in front or in the loop didn't make any difference
- Changing the position relative to the other effects on the board didn't make any difference
- The noise even appears when used by itself (still powered by the Voodoo)
- Using different sockets and cables on the Voodoo Pedal Power didn't make any difference either

The only thing that helped was using a wall-wart to provide independent electricity. But doesn't the Pedal Power provide isolated outputs anyway? And why did the pedal work brilliantly with the Voodoo before?

I tried the Phase 90 with another amp, a Peavey Valveking 100, in front and with my bandmate's pedal board using a Harley Benton Power Plant as supply. No squealing noise but when the Phaser was engaged there was no audible phase effect.

All of this sounds like a faulty unit to me...except for the fact that it works just fine (as it used to) when powered by a wall-wart. So what's the problem here? The pedal, the amp(s), the Voodoo Pedal Power, other pedals or a combination of these?

In the meantime I swapped the Custom Phase 90 for my old EXH Small Stone, and to my surprise the latter pedal now works fine again. Seems like phasers are quirky pedals.

I want to understand if the pedal is faulty or if something else in my setup is causing this. Since the Custom Phase 90 is hard to get where I live and isn't exactly cheap, having a faulty unit would be a bummer, esp. since it's not been extensively used yet and is relatively new.

Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[threadkiller]

that squealing noise is the secret to the coveted brown sound.

Sounds like a power supply issue. If the pedal was bad it would do it with the seperate wall wart supply. Have you tried running a different lead from the Voodoo Pedal Power to run it? Also, might want to try it with batteries just to see.

 

[petejt]

Yeah maybe try using batteries and/or a different power cable from the PP 2+ to the pedal.

 

[sombersoul]

I tried different power cables and different sockets from the PP 2+ to no effect. This whole issue is puzzling. I haven't tried batteries yet. I also own the Phase 45 which only operates on batteries. Never had a problem with that. However, I wanted an indicator LED and a 9V option, that's why I got the Custom Phase 90 in the first place. I've never tried the regular Phase 90, though.

Thanks for the feedback so far.

 

[joepete77]

i just got a whirlwind phase 90 which are supposed to be identical to the originals and it sounds good and seems a bit better made then the newer mxr stuff.

 

[sombersoul]

So that's the Whirlwind Orange Box? I haven't been aware of this pedal. Well, if I can't get the Custom Phase 90 to work on my pedalboard without producing noise, I'll have to think about alternatives anyway. I prefer vintagey, warm phasing that doesn't overwhelm your tone and a pedal that is well-built. I really like the EXH Small Stone but had some issues with it too as described above. TC Electronics don't have a dedicated phaser out yet or I would try one.

 

[joepete77]

So that's the Whirlwind Orange Box? I haven't been aware of this pedal. Well, if I can't get the Custom Phase 90 to work on my pedalboard without producing noise, I'll have to think about alternatives anyway. I prefer vintagey, warm phasing that doesn't overwhelm your tone and a pedal that is well-built. I really like the EXH Small Stone but had some issues with it too as described above. TC Electronics don't have a dedicated phaser out yet or I would try one.

Yeah, its the orange box and their made by the dude who was the original owner of mxr and handwired in ny to original spec but with true bypass and led added. It definatly doesnt overwhelm so depending on taste some might not dig em. The small stone i remember sounding nice also but every eh pedal I get always eventually breaks in some way with either the jacks, switch , power cable, etc. I like the tc new stompbox line and might get their flanger, i already have their tuner and delay and like their stuff so far as they sound great and are well built.

 

[sombersoul]

Thanks for the tip! The Whirlwind Orange Box sounds like a good alternative to try. As always, pedals like these seem to be very hard to come by in Europe. I wish this would change some day.

The TC stuff is extremly well-built and functions without quirks or noises. I've got three TC pedals so far. The only thing which is somewhat lacking in my opinion is charm. To me they're like reliable workhorses but without that extra spice.