PRS Archon - Pedals and/or rack effects DOS/DONTS

[iR4lf]

Hi guys,

I am waiting patiently for my replacement Archon to arrive...Had a few minor issues with the two ones I had before but now I will finally receive one with the FX loop mod. Kudos to the PRS GUITARS EUROPE support! Their service is really over the top! Thanks!

I think it is a good idea to collect the pedals and rack effects that do not add any noise or hiss when being engaged in the Archon's effect loop. I bet there are several users here that are looking for pedals that do work in the loop, at least I know that some do not (apparently the Archon does not take the TC Electronics rack stuff very good). So post your experience here...

Also there are some things you have to check before judging the pedals/effect...Make sure the effect is not sitting on top of the Archon and that your cable is not running near the head (this creates huge amount of hiss and noise). Also proper power and cables have to be a must...

Anyway...Shoot!

 

[László]

Any digital pedal has residual noise to a greater or lesser degree, depending on its design, mostly in the form of hiss. Analog pedals can be noisy, too, but in most cases are less noisy than their digital counterparts unless they're on. I'd be less worried about hiss from a digital pedal, than about hum and noise from ground loops, because any hum and noise from ground loops will be worse, and is going to be accentuated and increased as it runs through the loop section and into the power output tubes.

Therefore, a power supply with completely isolated DC outlets, such as a Voodoo Labs, is mandatory. Some power supplies for pedals have isolated outlets, and some do not, so it's worth looking into that. Most modern pedals are not as susceptible to ground loops as they used to be, but there are still a few out there that do badly no matter how they're powered, unless they're powered with a battery.

Noisy rack gear will often be ground-loop related as well. This can be tested by lifting the ground of the plug with a GLA, and then the proper solution can be found, whether that is via the use of a transformer type of device, additional earth grounding, or having cable shields lifted at one end (this last thing is rarely effective, however).

 

[vchizzle]

Strymon timeline delay and TC HOF mini both work great for me. T Rex whirly verb is 100% unusable in the loop.

 

[Mr Paul Caruso]

My Archon 100w head LOVES my TC Electronics G Force in the loop. What amp wouldn't? Not sure what units other folks are having problems with, but mine works great the G Force.

 

[Spartacus GR77]

So if put a patch cable in the loop I still get noise. I emailed PRS and said that my head had the fix. It's still loud. Any recommendations?

 

[BobVila406]

My Boss DD7 is a little noisy in the loop. My T-REX Tremonti Phaser is unusable in the loop...

 

[mapleleaf14]

I currently have a t.c. Hall of Fame Mini, t.c. Dreamscape, t.c. Flashback Mini, and a Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail in my Archon's loop and I'm amazed at how quiet it is. My 2-Channel Custom was much louder.

 

[BobVila406]

My DigiTech HardWire have tolerable noise...