Vox Tonelab SE hiss / white noise.

[Darryl]

HI,
I've just purchased a used TL SE on a well known auction site.

It is very noisy when compared to a Boss ME80 that I tried, my Zoom G3 and the previous G7 & G2. I have minimised noise using the NR control but it doesn't affect the hiss.
It's the same whether the effects are on or off.
I have tried replacing the valve, tried ECC83 new Brimar & 82 used Mullard).
The valve amp into which it is fed is noise free.
Has anyone experience with this pedal?
Many thanks
Regards

[Tone]

Hi

Not an SE but I have the 'blue' desktop version which shows identicale characteristics. I tried the same remedies as you but it made no difference. I eventually bought another but the problem was still there which perhaps indicates that there is an inherent fault.

I gave up in the end and now use it very little which is a great shame as you can get great sounds from it, apart from the hiss, of course.

Sorry!

Tony

[Darryl]

Thanks Tony

[timryland]

The early VOX VT series of amps also suffered from the same problem. Probably the same electronics inside. Later model were OK though.

Tim

[garystrat]

Hi Darryl

Could be that the valve needs biasing, especially if you have changed it.

It's been a few years since I had a Tonleab, but from memory you need to run it until the valve has warmed up. Then there a startup procedure that brings up the biasing display, which from memory requires adjusting 3 numbers on the display until they are the same. The bias adjustment should be at the back and requires a small philips screwdriver.

Best best bet is to see if you can find a manual online.

Gary

[garystrat]

Hi Darryl

I found the instructions for biasing a Tonelab LE which should be the same or similar.

It's notes helping blind users find their way around them, but section 4.1 covers it.

This is not a link as such, if you put the following into a browser search, clicking on the link downloads a word.doc file:

Vox Tonlelab LE by Feel.doc

Hope that may help

Gary

[Darryl]

Thanks Gary