Grateful Dead Music Forum

Hey folks,

I have a black box that I bought slightly used about a year ago. Ive contacted Brad in regards to the issue im having, but haven't received a reply yet. In some venues I play, it works great, others it creates a loud buzz. Once its taken out of the signal, everythings fine, pin-pointing it to the black box. Ive read that the tube can cause loud buzzing, but wouldnt it be a constant issue? Could it be some kind of impedance issue with patch cables? Any input would be grately appreciated. Im hoping and thinking its just possibly the tube, but want to know for sure before going that route and buying a tube. Thanks!

well... keep in mind that RFI or other electric interference may or may not be part of the problem also. It could be that the BB is just bringing it forward, as it were. I have the same issue with my Kemper - it exacerbates the interference that I know is mostly due to the way my house electrical system is wired. I don't get the same problem at other houses or professional venues most of the time, but occasionally will at some venues. Do you have a power conditioner? Thats one of the next investments I need to make.

Thats what Im leaning towards as well as it works at some places and not at others. I have a Furman power strip that has an RFI filter, but theyre old and maybe they no longer work?? Thanks for the reply!

I've spent a lot of time on the issue of "Clean Power." Most of the consumer "power conditioners" (Furman, Samson, etc.) are totally adequate to regulate voltage and protect our gear from under & over voltages. However, they are not "true" power conditioners--they don't reshape the power wave, which has a dramatic impact on the way our gear behaves. I suggest you read this: http://www.ground1.com/whitepaper1.htm

A line isolation transformer is probably the only way to ensure that you're running on true clean power.

Hey folks,

I have a black box that I bought slightly used about a year ago. Ive contacted Brad in regards to the issue im having, but haven't received a reply yet. In some venues I play, it works great,


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Problem solved! I picked up a Furman AR-1215 voltage regulator and it's been working just like a swiss watch ever since!