Amp/FX hum issue

[stickyfiddle]

The last couple of gigs I've had trouble with buzz from my pedals/amp. It's absolutely fine at home, but as soon as I set up live and we switch the lights on (LED Parcans) it's like the wasps are attacking.

Unplugging my main signal cable from the amp stops it, but I've never had any trouble from the board before. Any ideas? Dodgy ground on that signal cable maybe?

Setup is thus:

Polytune mini
Comp
Rat
Hotcake
SHO
Line6 M9

all into Mesa Express 5:25

All pedals are powered by a single Diago PSU except the M9 which has its own L6 brick. They're plugged into a 2-way adapter under the board.

[stompboy]

Could be various issues but I would suggest plugging your gear into somewhere totally away from the lighting. I have had no end of problems with that in the past.
You could also look at the GigRig Humdebugger thing. It's not cheap but when you consider it the same price as a good noise gate (that won't get rid of your problem) it's worth it. Also if you find it doesn't work they will take it back and give you a refund. Great guys at GigRig.

[stickyfiddle]

Could be various issues but I would suggest plugging your gear into somewhere totally away from the lighting. I have had no end of problems with that in the past.
You could also look at the GigRig Humdebugger thing. It's not cheap but when you consider it the same price as a good noise gate (that won't get rid of your problem) it's worth it. Also if you find it doesn't work they will take it back and give you a refund. Great guys at GigRig.

Well, I would if possible, but otherwise we'd be playing in the dark! I only have 2 more gigs before I'm leaving this band, so it's almost more of a hypothetical question really.

The humdebugger et al look interesting, but I suspect they're to remove 50 cycle hum rather than (what I assume is) RF interference?

[stompboy]

Possibly. Give them a call. They are mega helpful. What I meant buy plug in somewhere else was to run an extension lead for your rig from a different socket to where the lights are plugged in. If it is only in one venue it could just be bad mains. Played plenty of places (including theaters) that have bad mains and that can cause all sorts of odd things to happen.

[springworks]

Have you tested all of your leads to make sure they are sound? I had intermittent hum problems, turned out it was a dodgy guitar lead from my pedal board to the amp.

I've got one of these Studiospares cable testers now - good piece of kit, very useful.

[stickyfiddle]

Possibly. Give them a call. They are mega helpful. What I meant buy plug in somewhere else was to run an extension lead for your rig from a different socket to where the lights are plugged in. If it is only in one venue it could just be bad mains. Played plenty of places (including theaters) that have bad mains and that can cause all sorts of odd things to happen.

We already do that- it's definitely not a mains-only problem. The hum got worse when a DMX-linked PAR was nearby, regardless of whether that light was connected to the mains.

[octatonic]

Well, I would if possible, but otherwise we'd be playing in the dark! I only have 2 more gigs before I'm leaving this band, so it's almost more of a hypothetical question really.

The humdebugger et al look interesting, but I suspect they're to remove 50 cycle hum rather than (what I assume is) RF interference?

If you want to borrow my humdinger to test it then you are welcome.
It is currently unused.