dirty, filthy, power (that gets around too)

[albertjq]

hello fuzzers,

I was very recently setting a bias on an amp in my friend's garage, when I noticed I was getting considerably inconsistent current readings (+/- 10ma !)

long story short, it turns out that these fluctuations were a result of construction that was happening next door. I would get a surge whenever a power tool was used. I waited until construction was completed, then returned to working when my readings were (mostly) stabilized.

however, because power is dirty by nature, and since the garage is also our practice space, I have now considered getting a power conditioner/regulator both to protect my equipment and to preserve the tone.

does any one else have experience with this?

thank you

[sonidero]

Yes, unless you know you have pure unregulated power to your home/studio/practice space it's always good to have a power conditioner...

I can hear my neighbor's air condition click on and off when I'm recording, plus I have a loop and my amps hate TVs...

[KaosCill8r]

The power in our house is disgustingly dirty. It's an old farm house built in the 1940s and I'm guessing the wiring is from that vintage too. The house is only fit for demoltion. But it's home. I get all sorts of phantom noises through my amp. The noise when the fridge solenoid kicks on is nasty. When the missus uses the microwave I can hear it humming through my amp. And the motor from the freezer whines through my amp too. Thank fuck the freezer shit itself last week. One less noise to get into my rig. I want to get a power conditioner but they are so expensive.

[goroth]

I've got a cheap power filter I use. It's really good though I don't know how it compares to a proper power conditioner. It just provides surge protection and then reduces noise on the power line so it won't help regulate current, but it gets rid of noise like kaos' solenoid.

[blakestree]

My house is from the 40's and I can hear all kinds of shit in my power, too. I even get little shocks with certain gear, in certain spots. (open ground outlets) I'm going with one of these, soon. They're regularly down to $125.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001J1LG2U/ref ... C6GP8H8G3D

[KaosCill8r]

My house is from the 40's and I can hear all kinds of shit in my power, too. I even get little shocks with certain gear, in certain spots. (open ground outlets) I'm going with one of these, soon. They're regularly down to $125.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001J1LG2U/ref ... C6GP8H8G3D

I don't get any shocks from my gear but I get shocks in the shower when I touch the hot and cold taps or the shower rose. Shower time around here is a fun time for all. It's got to the stage where we only shower when we have to go out in public or have visitors coming over. We are afraid to call in an electrician because by law they must report houses that are considered dangerous and if the house is condemned we will be out on the street.