Hey all.
Just got my ZMACS earlier this week, and setup up. Very simple right now, 3 amps and 1 cab. All set to 8 ohms.
While setting up to do some re-amping, I was getting a lot of residual noise, and it’s not there when i’m not using the ZMACS. So, as I was fiddling with things, I noticed that if I tap on the casing of the ZMACS it sends noise into the heads. I’ve had this issue with some guitar pedals from LoneWolfAudio as well. I know the power sources are all grounded to the same ground. there’s no loop noise.
Has anyone else encountered this?
I’m concerned that I’ll impart extra unwanted noise if the case is vibrating.
It is very possible to have everything on the same power and still get ground loops and noise. How do you currently have the unit set up? Is it in a rack? Sitting on one of the amplifiers? Is it racked with other units that are not part of the set up? Recently, we worked with a studio in Los Angeles and had a similar situation. The rack rails were isolated in order to separate a ground loop that had occurred between another piece of rack gear. Once the isolation happened and the ground of yet another unit was lifted the problem was solved and the set up was incredibly quiet. I’m not saying this is your current predicament, I’m just stating there is always a possibility it’s the one thing you don’t think it will be.
We would love to help you get this all straightened out and get you up and running.
Hey Terry,
I’ll answer your questions in order:
How do you currently have the unit set up?
Right now, it’s sitting on a wooden IKEA rack. Plugged into a Furman M-8x AR
There are 3 amps plugged into it (speaker and instrument sends)
There is 1 cabinet plugged into speaker selection 1
Is it in a rack? it is not
Sitting on one of the amplifiers? it is not sitting on an amplifier, but it’s about 8" above one of the heads
Is it racked with other units that are not part of the set up? Nothing on or around it.
using proco speaker cables, and Gator Cableworks instrument sends.
When tapping on the unit, w/ no instrument plugged into it, sends that noise through.