Can anyone explain this? Harmonic percolator weirdness!

[rustywire]

You're going to have to post a clip of this behavior, plz.
AFAIK all *accurate* HP's have the white noise/noise floor because reasons.
As far as the "oscillation" goes...we have to be clear what conditions are being described.
If I dime (or thereabout) both Harmonics/Balance controls on my HP-1 and have guitar volume knob 8 or higher...with my amp a few feet away...and I unmute the strings, feedback will gradually (takes about 4-5 seconds to get loud) swell up and "oscillate"

Far as the weird behavior goes...HP in front of the phase-O-matic deluxe sounds incredible...HP immediately after the p-O-m picks up hum and all kinds of undesirable noise and the sweep is weird with notches....gaps even. It's almost like the issues arising from using a stock wah in front of a stock Fuzz Face...minus the weird howling oscillation.

Also, the HP wants to be run off battery, specifically a Carbon Zinc variety. And the cable being used into the HP's input creates more usable conditions if it's of the well-shielded variety. HP's reveal how noisy your acoustic space really is in terms of EMF. Those 2 variables can greatly reduce buzz/hum/noise floor.

[whiskey_face]

fuck I just you tubed these cause im not familiar. HNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG

[Chankgeez]

Also, the HP wants to be run off battery, specifically a Carbon Zinc variety.

Didn't know that. Thanks, rustywire. I've got a Fredric clone. Gonna have to try that.

[KaosCill8r]

Also, the HP wants to be run off battery, specifically a Carbon Zinc variety.

Didn't know that. Thanks, rustywire. I've got a Fredric clone. Gonna have to try that.

You're going to have to post a clip of this behavior, plz.
AFAIK all *accurate* HP's have the white noise/noise floor because reasons.
As far as the "oscillation" goes...we have to be clear what conditions are being described.
If I dime (or thereabout) both Harmonics/Balance controls on my HP-1 and have guitar volume knob 8 or higher...with my amp a few feet away...and I unmute the strings, feedback will gradually (takes about 4-5 seconds to get loud) swell up and "oscillate"

Far as the weird behavior goes...HP in front of the phase-O-matic deluxe sounds incredible...HP immediately after the p-O-m picks up hum and all kinds of undesirable noise and the sweep is weird with notches....gaps even. It's almost like the issues arising from using a stock wah in front of a stock Fuzz Face...minus the weird howling oscillation.

Also, the HP wants to be run off battery, specifically a Carbon Zinc variety. And the cable being used into the HP's input creates more usable conditions if it's of the well-shielded variety. HP's reveal how noisy your acoustic space really is in terms of EMF. Those 2 variables can greatly reduce buzz/hum/noise floor.

I know batteries sound better, but I'm trying to be a good friend to the earth and not use them. I'm fine with my sound. Also will try get my hands on a video recorder and do a clip so you all can hear the weirdness.

[rustywire]

NP Chankgeezy

All those old circuits were designed for use with those type of batteries...using a PSU (even via battery snap) seems to overwhelm them and create unwanted behavior. Everything gets noisier and the response changes...it doesn't feel as immediate.
Even using an Alkaline battery makes them louder/more trebly than the *heavy duty* types. Sometimes that's actually preferred...trial & error is the only way to know what works best for you.

In general I do prefer the sound of Carbon Zinc batteries in simple fuzz circuits...but I'm currently in the process of procuring some rechargeable 9Vs.
To be a "good friend to the earth" [sic]

[Chankgeez]

Here's a comparison vid Tim just did of the two versions of Harmonic Percolator he builds:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u_Ed1x-aqc[/youtube]

[KaosCill8r]

Here's a comparison vid Tim just did of the two versions of Harmonic Percolator he builds:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u_Ed1x-aqc[/youtube]

Yeah mine definitely sounds like the black version with the noise floor. I don't get the radio station noise. But I can't pick up the radio where I am anyway. I live at least half hour from a country town that has an am station.
I am starting to think that might be the source of some of the weird noise I am getting. It kind of does sound a bit like an am radio station signal that can't pick up a strong signal. Kind of whiny pitch between stations. Like in the video it only happens when the harmonic control is above 8 and the balance around the same. So maybe it isn't oscillation after all. Well whatever it is I like it. I am also a fan of the white noise.