XC Phase has a tiny canary in it

[jhaneyzz]

Finally getting around to wrapping up an XC Phase build.

Everything is cool except when i am in Block mode there is a sound like a tiny squeaking porch swing. Interestingly, if I just listen for a while and don't play, the pattern and frequency of the noise changes from time to time.

I've tested a lot with the trim pot but as soon as I tune this noise out, I'm kinda out of the effective range. i.e. it stops phasing.

This is a board I build before I learned to socket my transistors in addition to my ICs.

The pedal works fine in every other mode, but Block is where the magic is at for me.

Any thoughts about where to start?

 

[Locrian99]

I had a similar issue with my vero build version of this circuit. Also only in one of the modes. It was a weird noise that was adjustable with the rate control. It really just took some really fine tuning with the trimmer fix.

 

[jhaneyzz]

I had a similar issue with my vero build version of this circuit. Also only in one of the modes. It was a weird noise that was adjustable with the rate control. It really just took some really fine tuning with the trimmer fix.

Good to hear it's not just me.

I'll keep fiddling.

 

[Betty Wont]

I just built an XC Phase that is exhibiting the same behavior. Plus a bit of vacuum cleaner blended in too. The block mode only, and it’s unusably loud. I have not started troubleshooting yet.

 

[jhaneyzz]

I just built an XC Phase that is exhibiting the same behavior. Plus a bit of vacuum cleaner blended in too. The block mode only, and it’s unusably loud. I have not started troubleshooting yet.

I don't have either of those issues but let's keep sharing what we find.

 

[joelorigo]

Very clean and cool wiring. What is that you are using?

 

[Betty Wont]

I don't have either of those issues but let's keep sharing what we find.

I should say the noise is loud, the phaser is unity.

 

[KR Sound]

I have the same issues with block mode. Gave it to a friend so I haven’t been able to check it out. The transistors were matched, but I don’t think I measured them beforehand.

 

[blackhatboojum]

I vaguely remember someone having a similar issue awhile back. I believe it was actually an issue with a bad trace between r13 and r14

 

[jhaneyzz]

Very clean and cool wiring. What is that you are using?

It's just regular 22 gauge Remington solid, pretinned.

I cut off a 12" length, strip it, then I roll the strand under a block of wood to straighten it.

 

[joelorigo]

It's just regular 22 gauge Remington solid, pretinned.

I cut off a 12" length, strip it, then I roll the strand under a block of wood to straighten it.

View attachment 43816

View attachment 43817

Cool, thanks! Is that for cosmetic reasons or is there a additional advantage?

 

[owlexifry]

my experience was that it wasn’t really possible to balance the phasing with the trim pot at a setting that suited either mode - i would have to have it set for either script or block mode.
to me block mode (the one with negative feedback engaged) just sounded worse in every way. script mode sounded best. so i left the switch out.

i find this strange because i really like the influence of negative feedback in the mutron and ross phaser.

 

[andare]

It's just regular 22 gauge Remington solid, pretinned.

I cut off a 12" length, strip it, then I roll the strand under a block of wood to straighten it.

View attachment 43816

View attachment 43817

I can't picture how you straighten the wire

 

[andare]

Has anybody tried using shielded wire for input and output? Some phasers tick otherwise

 

[kristopher]

I can’t recall which pedal it was, but a similar “noise” was avoided by moving the In and Out wires away from the board. May have been a Phase II.?.?

 

[jhaneyzz]

Has anybody tried using shielded wire for input and output? Some phasers tick otherwise

I'll try that.

 

[jhaneyzz]

I can't picture how you straighten the wire

How do I describe?

Imagine making a string of clay.

The wire is rolling on the flat table top under the pressure of the block

 

[andare]

How do I describe?

Imagine making a string of clay.

The wire is rolling on the flat table top under the pressure of the block

All clear now. I actually bought some solid wire last week and was thinking of how to straighten it so thanks a lot!

 

[jhaneyzz]

FYI,

I re-ran the In and Out leads with shielded/grounded cable, but no change to the issue with Block mode.

I tried the entire sweep of the trimmer as well. the only time the chirp/tick goes away is when the trimmer is set to basically make the phaser not phase.

Sounds fine in other modes however.

 

[blackhatboojum]

You mentioned that it only chirps in block mode but, what about the stage setting?