Octa Switch + TH-30 loop

thing62 · Post by **thing62** » Sat Oct 28, 2017 12:15 pm

Hi all, I have a problem using my Octa Switch in the loop of my TH-30. When connected I have a signal but it's one volume. The volume controls on the amp do nothing. So whether on 0 or 10 the volume is the same. Any ideas?

Rlw59 · Post by **Rlw59** » Sat Oct 28, 2017 7:54 pm

You're plugging your guitar into the amp and using the effects send to the Octa Switch?

I ask because the only thing I can think of that would cause your problem is if you're plugging your guitar into some sort of separate preamp and then plugging the preamp into the Octa Switch. So you'd be bypassing the TH30 preamp entirely and just using the TH30's power amp as a slave amp.

(On most amps the master volume would still work in that scenario, but Orange loves PPIMV's so they might have put the loop after the master?)

Rlw59 · Post by **Rlw59** » Sat Oct 28, 2017 7:57 pm

Is the one volume you have super-loud like the amp turned all the way up? Super-quiet? Somewhere in-between?

Jondog · Post by **Jondog** » Sat Oct 28, 2017 8:03 pm

I’m having trouble understanding what is trying to be accomplished here and how it is set up?

thing62 · Post by **thing62** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 4:14 am

This is how I'm setup: https://carlmartin.com/wp-content/uploa ... ch-mk3.pdf
Look at the 2nd half of page 4 of the pdf.

The volume is stuck on about 2.5.

Rlw59 · Post by **Rlw59** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 4:50 am

Can't hurt to ask the obvious: you do have loop 5 switched on? (Or whichever loop you're using as the "split loop".)

British english vs American english: "important: loop 5 shall always be activated" -- they mean the split loop "must" be activated, not that it's automatically activated.

If you don't have the split loop on, you bypass the amp's preamp entirely and send the guitar signal straight into the amp's effect return. (The effects in loops 6, 7, or 8 wouldn't work since those get their input from the amp's effect send -- might even silence things entirely if you select those loops.)

If you have the "front of amp" effects bypassed, or they're unity gain (or set for unity gain), if the split loop isn't activated then you'd be sending a guitar-level signal into the amp's effect return, which wouldn't drive the amp to full volume.

Rlw59 · Post by **Rlw59** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 4:57 am

Have you tried the basic setup in the first illustration, not using the amp's loop at all, just to make sure the Octa Switch is working properly?

Rlw59 · Post by **Rlw59** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 5:03 am

Sorry if I'm asking stupid questions and/or making stupid suggestions.

I saw someone using an Octa Switch once. I was very impressed with what it could do, but it scared the crap out of me. It would take me years to figure out how to use it.

thing62 · Post by **thing62** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 6:15 am

Rlw - yes I have had it running via front of amp no issues. This is my 2nd Octa switch (they are actually the most simple switcher to use).

Jondog · Post by **Jondog** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 12:15 pm

Have you tried using the loop of the amp without the octa. Just guitar in front, a pedal in the loop?

thing62 · Post by **thing62** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 9:44 pm

Yes Jondog I have, it works fine.

Rlw59 · Post by **Rlw59** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 10:21 pm

More dumb questions since I have no clue why it's not working correctly:

Does the amp's gain knob add distortion when cranked? (Even though it doesn't affect the volume.)

Do the amp's tone knobs do anything?

Do each of the effects work through their respective Octa Switch loops?

Do you have the amp's footswitch jack connected to the Octa Switch, and if so does the Octa Switch switch the amp channels correctly?

Also, wouldn't hurt to contact Carl Martin. The amp's loop works when you put an effect in it, so the amp appears to be working correctly.

Rlw59 · Post by **Rlw59** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 10:48 pm

Re-reading the opening post, has the Octa Switch been part of your rig for a while and worked properly with another amp?

For some reason I was assuming the Octa Switch was the new part of the equation, that you've had the TH30 and the pedals and are having problems adding the Octa Switch. But maybe the Octa and your pedals worked correctly with other amps, and the Orange is the new component?

Jondog · Post by **Jondog** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 11:10 pm

Somethings got to be wrong in the Octa switch connections if the amp and loop work fine without the octa.

Rlw59 · Post by **Rlw59** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 11:48 pm

I once plugged my guitar into my Micro Terror's headphone jack and it took me a few minutes to figure out why there was no sound from my speakers. Reversed the connections to a wah pedal and it took a few minutes to figure out why it was making weird dolphin noises.

So, is there any chance you've got the amp loop connections reversed?

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