Digitech JamMan Delay EMI problem and solution
I wrote about my love of looping back in 2010, when the new JamMan Solo and JamMan Stereo were announced.
Now, I’ve finally replaced my old Oberheim Echoplex Digital Pro with a shiny new JamMan Delay.
This unique pedal combines a looper with a nice delay modeler. It doesn’t do everything my old Echoplex did, but it’s a nice leap forward in technology- with stereo recording, tons of memory (and SD card expansion), stereo recording, USB connectivity and software librarian, not to mention some really nice delays.
But before we get to happiness, let’s first talk about a major manufacturing issue, nearly a total deal-breaker. If I hadn’t figured out a solution, I would have had to return the JamMan Delay and seek looper nirvana elsewhere.
When I first powered up the JamMan Delay and plugged it in to my Vox AC15, I was greeted with a faint but persistent “beep beep beep” sound, in time with the flashing tempo LED.
I tried different guitars, different cables, different power outlets, different amp, different physical location, etc. The only thing that made any difference was to unplug the input cable. The beeping was loud enough that if used on stage, it would be blasting this annoyance through the PA!
Could they really have released such a great product with such a fundamental design flaw? It seems unlikely. I called Digitech tech support and they assured me that there’s no design flaw- their bench units sound fine- my unit must be defective. So I returned the unit for exchange, but the replacement did the same thing. What are the chances- two bad ones in a row?! So I returned it again, and the third unit had the same problem. These three units spanned serial numbers of about a thousand units! If not a design flaw, then could it be a very extended factory/QC mistake?
Unwilling to throw in the towel, I opened up the unit, and found that the internal ribbon cables connecting the front panel to the main circuit board were laying right on top of the input jack and over the processor. These ribbon cables carry control signals and power to the LEDs – and the proximity of these cables to the jack/processor clearly causes problematic electro-magnetic interference.
The solution is simply to fold and push the cable the other direction. When the lid is closed, the cable will be resting well away from the main circuit board and jacks. This completely solves the noise issue.
I let Digitech know about the solution and they assured me they would contact the factory to make sure they were aware of the issue.
I’ll be using the JamMan Delay in some upcoming videos, so stay tuned!
SixStringHarmonies
November 30, 2011 @ 7:14 pm
Wow! Awesome video…..Great detective work! You know that is driving guys
out there absolutely insane. Hopefully they see this video. I have the
smaller “2 button” JamMan and really enjoy it a lot. DigiTech/Hardwire
makes some great products. Really underrated product lines, though you
rarely hear anything but applause and compliments for them. When I upgrade
to the larger unit, I’ll be prepared, just in case it has this misplaced
ribbon problem too. Cheers!
katanaswordfish
November 30, 2011 @ 8:32 pm
Great video. =) I’m so terrible with electronics knowledge that I’d
probably just keep sending them back until I got so irritated that I’d just
put up with it. haha – That said, I’m learning a ton from your videos.
Please keep doing these videos! 😀
JamesHaskin
November 30, 2011 @ 9:47 pm
So what made you choose the JamMan over the Boss RC?
kissrocks45
December 1, 2011 @ 7:41 am
Hey John the gold lions preamp tubes sound nice in the vox hw!, vid sounds
good!~
kissrocks45
December 1, 2011 @ 7:43 am
I had that beeping problem with a line 6 delay, took it back
kissrocks45
December 1, 2011 @ 7:57 am
playing on the top boost?
John
December 1, 2011 @ 9:34 am
@kissrocks45 – i was on the high gain input of the normal channel, gain
about 50%, master volume at about 25%
John
December 1, 2011 @ 9:35 am
@kissrocks45 – thanks! I haven’t tried changing out the tubes in the AC15 yet.
kissrocks45
December 1, 2011 @ 9:39 am
I have a fryette ef86 tube clean boost coming friday to try out, hope it works good with my vox
John
December 1, 2011 @ 9:39 am
@JamesHaskin – they both have a lot going for them. I like the RC-30’s two stereo tracks with faders. The RC-50 would be ideal for solo live use. I mostly use it for composing, practicing, tinkering- and I like the JamMan’s built in delay features. And I got a great price on a stupid-deal-of-the-day, that was hard to pass up 🙂
mongoose979
December 1, 2011 @ 9:48 am
you still haven’t had the urge to build an amp from scratch – and show us how it’s done in painstaking detail ? for xmas ?
John
December 1, 2011 @ 9:52 am
@mongoose979 – I would indeed love to build a tube amp some day… So much to do, so little time 🙂
John
December 1, 2011 @ 9:51 am
@kissrocks45 – no kidding! same thing, huh? At Korg, I do the software- not the hardware. But I do know the challenges our hardware guys face with this kind of electrical/mechanical stuff. You’d be amazed how much a difference little things like cable placement and cable length make.
kissrocks45
December 1, 2011 @ 9:58 am
yeah I believe in using good cable like Mogami golds, you here the difference
MrGuitarboy100
December 1, 2011 @ 11:40 am
I have a RC-2 which I use live and there is a constant small ringing noise when I am not playing but have made a loop. I have no drum loop on and have the volume turned down to 0. Upon seeing this video you wouldn’t happen to know if you have any tips for this? I’m going to try and put some type of fabric inbetween to shield it as its such a small pedal, but of I do not succeed is there anyone out there to help me fix this? Even If I have to get the soldering iron out I will! Cheers anyway!
John
December 1, 2011 @ 2:48 pm
@MrGuitarboy100 – I don’t have any experience with the RC-2, but it’s conceivably something similar with shielding/EMI. Open up the pedal and experiment while listening to see if anything makes a difference. It would also be interesting to try another RC-2 to see if it’s the same. Good luck!
MrGuitarboy100
December 2, 2011 @ 9:57 am
@johnplanetz I will give this a try and if I get anywhere I’ll get back to you. Your video’s on the two Vox amps finally made me go for a Handwired AC30 combo too!
Keep it up!
Cheers.
Joel.
MrGuitarboy100
January 13, 2012 @ 8:57 am
@MrGuitarboy100 Just to add I took the back off of the RC-2 and it turned out the problem was the same. There was a loom cable just like there is on Jam Man. I tucked it away and put thick foam inside too and it has solved the problem!
Hope this helps everyone!
Joel.
Chuck
December 1, 2011 @ 7:16 am
So when did you get an AC30?
John
December 1, 2011 @ 7:53 am
Haha! I was typing so fast, I subconsciously upgraded 🙂
Thanks for pointing that out. I fixed it.
-John
guitarfan84
December 1, 2011 @ 8:22 pm
Hi john, i have the same problem with my line 6 echo park.. esp with high gain. how do i fix this problem?
John
December 2, 2011 @ 3:14 pm
@guitarfan84 – I don’t have that pedal… As I said to MrGuitarboy100 about his RC-2, it could be a similar problem with shielding/EMI. Open up the pedal and experiment while listening to see if anything makes a difference. Good luck!
Plipas
December 2, 2011 @ 3:27 am
ouuououaou nice video. Does your guitar have sustainer circuit? And also do you know how to build one?
John
December 2, 2011 @ 3:12 pm
@Plipas – no there’s sustainer in this guitar. You can find a diy sustainer project at Bancika’s diy-fever site
777MMT
December 2, 2011 @ 5:30 am
nice vid john i’ve got a amp with the same problem. it’s a digitally built amp im gonna see if any of the wire strip thing’s are touching the input jack. anyway keep making informative video they’r a big help thanks man 🙂
afedorov78
December 3, 2011 @ 1:28 am
John, your guitar playing improved a lot! Well done!
John
December 3, 2011 @ 9:12 pm
@afedorov78 – thanks- nice to hear! I was definitely playing in my comfort zone here- slow and lyrical. In most of my other videos, I’m always trying to push it, playing just a few steps beyond what I can actually do well 🙂
gullywoots
December 4, 2011 @ 1:55 pm
Thanks for sharing that! Really cool.
prakharp
December 5, 2011 @ 6:09 pm
I don’t own this pedal, but that was genius ! Good job 🙂
wseeback
December 6, 2011 @ 4:48 am
Good job. I often go after problems like this myself too. I always believe if there’s an easy fix, screw sending it back and waiting weeks, I’ll do it myself. Thanks John.
sav7152
February 6, 2012 @ 6:53 pm
Hi John! Just wondering if you’re still liking this pedal? It looks and sounds great! I’m looking for a delay and might go with one of these. My question is this: It looks like a fairly complicated pedal…is it? Or am I just being intimidated by all the buttons and features? Any input would be appreciated! Ohh by the way…how is the Epiphone Riveria P93?
John
February 7, 2012 @ 3:19 pm
@sav7152 – yes, I’m still loving it. If you want, you can totally ignore the looping functions, and just think of it as a delay pedal with 3 programmable presets (buttons 1,2,3), and tap tempo (button 4). The 6 knobs let you choose the delay type, and the related parameters (time, repeats, eq, etc), and pick a multiplier (1/4,1/8,etc). You can also hook up an expression pedal and crossfade between two delay settings. All great stuff, not too complicated. Bonus- it also does looping quite well!
hollowmenrule
February 7, 2012 @ 1:17 am
you’re smart bro, I would of given up. I am looking into different pedals, but this one is winning out cause you can LOOP WITH DELAY, lol. the other ones don’t seem to give that option. thanks for the troubleshoot vid as well.
John
February 7, 2012 @ 3:23 pm
@hollowmenrule – other delay pedals like the Line-6 DL4, Akai Headrush, etc can do looping, but those offer rather short loop lengths, and quite primitive looping functions. The Jamman Delay is more of a looper with a nice delay section added. The delay models may not be as high-quality as the DL4, but they’re quite effective. Definitely recommend.
Sweet ES-355 - Planet Z
February 10, 2012 @ 5:28 pm
[…] it’s a possibility. Lately, I’m actually playing a Vox SSC-55 (as you may have seen in my recent Jamman Delay video). Honestly, every time I return to the P93, it just feels, well, disappointing. More on […]
1w1illnever
March 25, 2012 @ 2:55 pm
Cheers for your help.I have this pedal and have experienced the same problem, rendering the unit unusable.I thought it was something I was doing wrong!
Opened mine up and the cable was in the same position as yours.Problem solved.I cant thank you enough! themadeuptuesdays
John
March 29, 2012 @ 6:02 pm
@1w1illnever – thanks for the comment. Interesting to hear from someone who had the same issue. I hope Digitech has sorted this out at the factory. Aside from that issue, it’s a great pedal!
1w1illnever
March 25, 2012 @ 2:59 pm
Just done this fix.Awesome now I have a usable pedal.Great pedal apart from this now fixed bug.Thanks,vert greatful! themadeuptuesdays
davec3487
April 17, 2012 @ 5:01 pm
They should pay you for this.
TonitoGB
May 1, 2012 @ 1:09 pm
nice video, i just bought the same pedal hope not to get the same problem, but if i do i will know now how to fix it cheers
maki3173
June 5, 2012 @ 8:53 pm
please help me my guitar so noise on static ground
my problem how to fix static noise please help me
your video so great
CorinaenRonald
August 4, 2012 @ 9:54 am
Thanks!!
danceofthedruids
August 13, 2012 @ 4:57 am
Good call! Thanks!
NightDonkey
August 28, 2012 @ 3:37 pm
Thank you. I just ordered the Jamman unit and can appreciate a simple fix if the problem is encountered.
Good jams!
Mike
LlfenEied
September 4, 2012 @ 10:39 pm
Could you tell me what that screwdriver you used is? Looks way better than the drill I use now.
John
September 5, 2012 @ 11:01 am
It’s a Skil IXO2. Handly little tool. Lithium ion holds charge well, palm-sized, reasonable torque. Slow-speed only, no drilling.
rockethead555
October 4, 2012 @ 12:14 pm
Good sharing of info, thanks bro I dont own one of these but I want to get one . . . Felicidades
anewdimnsion
December 18, 2012 @ 10:18 am
Thank you for sharing the knowledge.
Thumbs up.
Paul C
March 7, 2013 @ 9:38 pm
I know this sound odd, but the screw driver is pretty cool. What is it call? I want to get one. and I think about getting that pedal, but i have a few question that needed to be answer. I have no idea if you can answer for me. I’m checking the tempo beat on this pedal is it only one type of tempo beat? I know you can increase the have fast or slow the beat, but i want something different drum beat or something like the BOS R-2 Looper pedal. Can you please give me insight about this pedal? tk
John
March 8, 2013 @ 2:03 pm
The screwdriver is a Skil IXO2. There are 8 different rhythm types: wood blocks, sticks, click, alternative kick/high-hat, studio kick/high-hat, techno kick/high-hat, cowbell, conga and tambourine. The rhythm patterns are not programmable, and you cannot load your own sounds. It’s just a basic rhythm accompaniment for practice. I’m not sure what the boss offers for rhythm.
Paul C
March 8, 2013 @ 2:35 pm
Thanks! For letting me know about the screw driver machine. I’m going to pick one up for sure. As for the pedal, I’m going to stop by the local guitar store and pick one up. Thanks for letting me know about the rhythm patterns.. I swear, nothing say it in the instruction manual and watch many of the youtube video check out beat or drum. Whatever you call it. Thanks again.
Paul C
March 8, 2013 @ 2:37 pm
Oh another thing. thanks for the tips about fixing the problem with the pedal. I will see if it have the same problem. If so, i will follow what you did to fix the beeping sound.
IPushHard
June 22, 2013 @ 9:52 pm
Subscribed.
betchagonnalikethis
January 12, 2014 @ 11:57 am
Right on, John! You’re the man. Same unit, same problem. Fixed it like a
boss in record time, thanks to you!
Stve Hargtn
January 18, 2014 @ 8:05 am
Hi John Thanks for the video,any ideas on a mod to hook up an external
foot switch for the save button?
les nick
March 15, 2014 @ 10:31 am
hello 🙂
i have the same pedal but i have ine problem with that…
when i start to play the overdub track my overdub sound covering the main sound..this happened only to overdrive chanel 🙁
this is problem to my amp or my pedal
ty
John
March 17, 2014 @ 11:25 am
Sorry I didn’t really understand the description of your problem.
gerryfx
October 28, 2014 @ 6:27 pm
I have a Jamman Stereo pedal – similar to yours but no delay function. I had a different problem with mine. The pedal would randomly start cycling through loops – no way to stop and no buttons would work while it was cycling. I sent the pedal back east (Canada) for repair and 2 months later the pedal was finally returned. It wasn’t fixed. Not wanting to go through that again I decided to look for solutions online and find a fix. Thanks to your webpage I was able to figure it out. The cycling was going up in numbers from 1 to 99 then back to 1 and starting over again. It was a though the “loop up” footswitch was stuck on. After reading your page I thought maybe the ribbon cable inside is touching that circuit causing it to stay on. I opened it up and found there was a cable directly below the exposed pins of the footswitch. I wasn’t able to move the cable so I used a piece of thick foam tape and covered the pins of the footswitch. I’ve had the pedal back together again for over an hour and no more cycling. Hopefully this will be helpful to all those people who have the “cycling loops” problem. Thanks again for your help in fixing my Jamman!
John
October 28, 2014 @ 9:37 pm
Nice work. Those ribbon cables sure seem to be the weak link!
-John
Da St
December 13, 2014 @ 7:58 pm
If only there were a way to make the foot buttons quieter.
Mihai Stanescu
January 16, 2015 @ 10:35 am
Do you think i can fit TC electronic foot switches into my Jamman Stereo?
Anyway i have problem opening this up, seems another trick is required
Mac - D Oien
January 22, 2015 @ 1:31 pm
Poor test lab… too noisy or to lax to care…!
Keith Vartanian
February 18, 2015 @ 7:50 am
hello can this be used wit a drum machine?
thanks have a good day
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