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Trouble with time

Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 5:03 am
by fetch
I am having issues with my time based effects. I thought I was set when I got my Moog 104-z analog delay.
These are the things I do not like about it.

- It pops/makes a noise when engaged.
- The device turns on even though I haven't pressed the switch entirely. It'll do it about 14/15ths of the way but still enough to notice/be annoying.
- The feedback loop is so far overrated as it is impossible to match the gain and feedback levels without it going spastic.

Those are three pretty big factors. Here's what I like about it.

- It sounds fantastic. It really, really does.
- It feels fantastic and reacts perfectly. Everything except the volume (output level, gain and loop gain) features of course.
- Mix is finally "right" (60=60, not 20)
- Expression

I'm really considering moving to the Eventide Timefactor. I've tried it out once for 30minutes. The only store that caries them know me pretty well. I get shy when I go in there trying out products I know I can't afford locally (I'll be importing it like the Moog) even though I try to with most other things and support them because they're super swell. It just sucks because there were more things I wanted to try out/compare directly to the Moog. Everything I'm basing my opinions on is my Maxon AD900 and any other delay I've had in the past. The AD900 remained king for a while but since Jan I've started to replace most of my pedals while the $AUD is so good to have a sweet-as pedalboard (some people like video games and clubbing--I like writing video game music and playing guitar to the TV on mute ha ha). It's just annoying that I'm so stumped on the delay side of things... I can't find anything that would fit the bill besides the Timefactor and I can't really try one out again properly to analyze up and down.

Can anyone offer their experiences? Anyone had the Moog and modified it *cringe*? I might have to if it's an option/will improve usability... I ain't afraid and I got balls and lots of sedatives if anything goes wrong :group:

Please someone help me sort out this god forsaken pedalboard :no:

Re: Trouble with time

Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 6:05 am
by univalve
I have the Moog and no issues with it. Probably use a booster in the Loop to set the right level (+ and -).

Re: Trouble with time

Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 6:31 am
by fetch
univalve wrote:I have the Moog and no issues with it. Probably use a booster in the Loop to set the right level (+ and -).

This is what I didn't want to do either as I could have done this with the Maxon... I figured with those knobs being available to me I could set it myself without additional pedals on the board. I already have more than my brain can handle.

You don't notice ANY noise? Also have you gone down so your eyes are level with the switch, pushed down on it with your finger and seen for yourself whether or not it engages without "pressing down"? I've read people discounting this actually happening so again if mine is a really multifunctional unit a forum member will have a lot to answer to (he said as new and it seemed fine except the switch and the drive knob doesn't have a smooth taper but I think my Freqbox was the same) once I get around to taking it to the shop and getting it looked at. Bugger it. It cost me $12 to look at the last pedal so I guess it can't help... still it doesn't help with the feedback gain thing (unless that's somehow buggered too?)

Re: Trouble with time

Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 12:42 pm
by Jero
fetch wrote: I've read people discounting this actually happening so again if mine is a really multifunctional unit a forum member will have a lot to answer to (he said as new and it seemed fine except the switch and the drive knob doesn't have a smooth taper but I think my Freqbox was the same)

Before you get all antsy pantsy, the previous owner very well might not have noticed the "problem" with the switch. It happens, just sayin.'
:idea: Can you stutter the pedal with it like that?

Re: Trouble with time

Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 1:27 pm
by fetch
I'm not antsy pantsy, there was a reason I mentioned it, and before people blow that up I'd really like to squash it. I haven't heard from him in a while and his PMs have now filled- I'm not a jerk and plant my seeds where I think would bait him into getting back to me. I'm being as nice as possible mang- it's been over a month. Anyway- lets squash.

Yes it stutters but it's not at all consistent or predictable which is annoying/useless for me. If I was recording sure, but I just need pedals that'll help me write but still be able to jam on it. The Moog is great but the Eventide has similar expression features, although no loop has options for modulated delay an another from memory, looping which I may use but most likely wont, STEREO and finally patches. I don't know why I didn't consider it before I bought the Moog, it was only a recent purchase, but so far not a good impression.

Again anyone who has one or a Timefactor talk me about either and your experiences.
Sounds aside- is the Moog as annoying as I am making out? Is the Eventide better/worse?

Re: Trouble with time

Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 2:41 pm
by dubkitty
does the Moog "make noise when engaged" when it's isolated from the rest of the effects? i've found that if i run certain effects before/after each other i get loud on/off pops, which i think are due to interaction between buffer types and/or conflicts between particular buffers and true bypass effects. specifically, anything true-bypass i run after my buffered flanger pops like Arthur Fiedler, and also makes the flanger pop when turned on/off.

also, does it make noise when engaged if nothing's plugged into the input? if not, i'd wager you've got a problem somewhere upstream of the delay, in your boxes, power supply, cords, or instrument.

is there a way to change the other settings e.g. input level to the unit to compensate for the feedback loop problem? or is it possible that you're misunderstanding how to use the Gain and Feedback correctly? don't feel insulted...i just discovered the other day that i'd been using the Tone knob backwards on my Tone Reaper for three weeks.

is the switch a click-stomp switch like an MXR box or a momentary-contact switch? i.e. could the "15/16" switch point be normal and your expectation off?

i'm just trying to come up with suggestions that'd be simpler than going out and buying another US$400 delay unit and flipping the one you have. honestly, if i could find a way around the noise-when-engaged i'd probably chill...i've seldom seen a feedback/effects loop on any effects device that was worth much for anything other than screaming sonic destruction or did terribly well at level matching.

Re: Trouble with time

Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 5:42 am
by univalve
fetch wrote:You don't notice ANY noise? Also have you gone down so your eyes are level with the switch, pushed down on it with your finger and seen for yourself whether or not it engages without "pressing down"?

No.
The pedal is always on when i power it up but else there are really none of your mentioned issues (and i play that thing almost each day). Sorry buddy, but i'm not really helpful :whateva: