Ampero - How to disable the expression footswitch ?

[Jarod]

Hello all.

It may seem a strange question, but when using the wah I keep switching it on and off because the expression footswitch is waaay to sensible.

I set the CTRL switch to switch effect 1 (wah) on and off but I can't find the way to disable the expression footswitch so that it doesn't swich the expression effect on and off. If it is not possible to disable it by a parameter, perhaps it is possible to disconnect it electrically ?

I haven't opened the unit yet, and I actually don't understand how this switch is operating.. Perhaps it is inside the hinge ?


I have another issue with the unit, is that I get a very loud hisss from the xlr connector when connecting to some mixer desks (namely, the soundcraft ui series) but not when connecting to other mixers, or directly to an active speaker. I don't know if anyone has had the same issue ? I wonder if I should check the soldering. What is really, really weird is that the hiss is not related to volume or gain of the effects. Actually, I get the hiss even with the Ampero powered off and the ac adapter disconected....

[Elantric]

Recalibrate the expression pedal

[Elantric]

Hiss on  XLR in 2023 is often result of Ground loop  - lift the ground on XLR Output

[Jarod]

Thank you for your answers Elantric.
I forgot to specify I tried the ground loop switch to no avail.
I didn't think recalibrating the expression pedal could also have an effect on the expression footswitch - I will try that

[Elantric]

Frankly in my experience the soundcraft ui mixers input stage  exhibit high hiss and noise. Verify you have set the Ampero Output Mode to LINE LEVEL

[Jarod]

I recalibrated the expression pedal and got the result I want ! Thank you Elantric !

Today I don't witness the hiss problem. I switched yesterday to connecting the Ampero directly to an active speaker. Today I played for a while on the speaker, then connected to the soundcraft ui and I don't hear the hiss.
I will open the Ampero to check for soldering/isolation etc... but I will also look into soundcraft ui user groups, I saw such hiss reports as you just suggested. I never witnessed the problem with any other mixer.
(the output of the Ampero is set to line level, yes)

[Jarod]

I know quite a few people using Soundcraft UIs of different models and we didn't experience such big hiss like I have encountered with the Ampero.

I love this unit. It is small, jcm800 amp simulation is convincing, wah sound is fine and I know I can add Irs. Easy to program.
But it was supposed to protect me from random problems from an analog pedalboard coupled with a two notes cabm+ - sadly it doesn't do the trick yet.

[Elantric]

Verify the mic Phantom power is disabled on the Soundcraft UI mixer -as that's a known source of noise, and may damage the Ampero.

Inserting a PASSIVE DI transformer that provides complete galvanic isolation on all Ampero output signals yields lowest noise floor and protection to the Ampero.
https://www.megaaudio.de/produkte/detail/UNiKA-SDI-2-passive-DI-Box

[Jarod]

I checked that the phantom power was off when I have had the hiss problem.
Yesterday I had no hiss, and it came back randomly after a few hours.

I think what you propose may be the solution. I will use the unbalanced outputs to feed on a passive di then on the mixer.
I see nothing in the manual saying that the cab simulation is not applied to the unbalanced outputs - I will check that anyway.

Thank you for your help Elantric - looks like I got solutions here

[Elantric]

Also remember close proximity of your cellphone, iPad, or  computer to your music gear, guitar pickup, Audio cables manifests as higher white noise on your speakers - easy to test by waving your active mobile phone near your guitar pickups.

Experienced iPad mounted on a Microphone stand,  being the source of higher hiss in the PA 

[Jarod]

Quick update.

I bought an used Radial JDI - I don't need no stereo. Very good results so far.

I have been very happy with the Radial J48 for my acoustic guitar.

[Elantric]

Quick update.

I bought an used Radial JDI - I don't need no stereo. Very good results so far.

I have been very happy with the Radial J48 for my acoustic guitar.

I assume inserting the Radial JDI solved your Ampero hiss issue ?

[Jarod]

I assume inserting the Radial JDI solved your Ampero hiss issue ?

Yes, exactly