how to avoid pop on plugin ?

[lw216316]

My decades old Takamine classical came with a built in pickup.
I tried it a couple of times when I first got it - and have forgotten whatever I may I learned.

I remember getting a horrible pop when plugging in.   
A shop owner said I needed a cable with something built in to prevent that.
So I bought that cable.

I seem to remember that he said to always plug in a certain end first -
I think it was plug into the system first and then last -plug in to your guitar.

Does that sound familiar ?   Can you guys with amplified experience help me out here ?
I don't want to blow out anyone's eardrums when I try this out in public.
I don't have a system at home to experiment with.

thanks      
- Larry

[unclrob]

Plug guitar first and amp last.Or you can get a volumn peddle.



                                                     modified.

[lw216316]

Plug guitar first and last

I don't understand

guitar-jack   <===================>   sound system jack

the options I see are
1. plug cable into guitar jack, then plug other end of cable into sound system jack

or

2. plug cable into sound system jack,  then plug other end of cable into guitar jack

- Larry

[dberch]

Hi Larry, There are several ways to avoid POP! :

1. Always turn power on in this order. Guitar then pedals/preamps, then amp/PA. Reverse that order when tearing down.

2. Before you connect or dis-connect a cable always turn down that channel down on the amp/PA.  If there is a sound man, the best way to accomplish this is to get his attention, point to your guitar, then draw your finger across your thought ("Kill me!") :)

Or, 3. Use a pedal that mutes.  For example, I use a Boss TU-2 tuner pedal.  It has two outputs. One always sends the signal out no matter what, the other kills the signal when you turn on the tuner.  Also called "muting" .  I use the output that mutes. So, when I switch guitars, I mute the signal by clicking the tuner pedal, and I can switch guitars with no pop.

Hope this helps,
David

[obe-wan]

Use a pedal that mutes.  For example, I use a Boss TU-2 tuner pedal.

Or use an external Preamp like a Fishman EQ Pro, K&K Pure or L.R. Baggs PADI, they have on board volume control so you can just turn yourself down. Very handy if you use more than 1 guitar to gig with. 

Cheers, Scott.

[fongie]

Larry, I always make sure my 'Master Gain' control is turned/tuned right off, then I have all my input dials set to the required setting, including plugging in my guitar and mic cable in both ends before I turn up my 'Master Gain'.
cheers
fongie

[lw216316]

yes, that makes sense, keep volume very low,
but I think there is a way to avoid the problem COMPLETELY based on what I was told.
- others do it all the time
so there must be a way to avoid the POP

- Larry

[obe-wan]

yes, that makes sense, keep volume very low,
but I think there is a way to avoid the problem COMPLETELY based on what I was told.
- others do it all the time
so there must be a way to avoid the POP

- Larry

Larry, turning the volume to "0" will in effect mute the channel, allowing you to unplug without pop. Same with a pedal with that mutes, ie, the Boss TU-2 tuner.

Ive heard of the guitar leads that eliminate pop too, the way i understand it is to turn the PA down while your setting up (as you normally would), then unplugging the guitar equipped with the anti pop lead later whilst the PA is turned up shouldnt be a problem.

Hope this helps Larry.


Cheers, Scott.

[SMixon]

If you have no preamp or if you do. Like others have said.  Put the plug in your guitar first, and then plug the other end into the amp,board,or preamp next. That will eliminate the pop to almost nothing and preserve care to your amps and sound tech's nerves.

Mix

[lw216316]

Put the plug in your guitar first, and then plug the other end into the amp,board,or preamp next. That will eliminate the pop to almost nothing and preserve care to your amps and sound tech's nerves. 

   THANKS !   

Can someone tell me the technical details of WHY  guitar 1st,   system last  eliminates the pop

or stated the other way, why sytem 1st , guitar last would cause a pop ?

I'm using a guitar that has an under saddle pickup and also uses a 9 volt battery inside the guitar (is that called 'active' ? )

- Larry

[Dale_I]

The pop is the connection from the cable when it enters the guitar jack. If the amplifier is on, the amplifier amplifies the signal, in this case the pop, and sends it to the speakers.

However, there is a cable end that eliminates pop on plug in as well. I use them when playing live because I may need to change a guitar or two during the set and it is easier to unplug a guitar, pick up a new one, and plug it in, than to have several plugged in at the same time.

Neutrik cable ends have some that are called Silent Connector. I'm sure other brands like G&H have them too, it's just that mine are Neutrik, so I know they have them.

Go over to ebay and do a search using these words:
Guitar Cable Silent Mogami

Today it showed about 8 different auctions that feature this cable end using Mogami cables.

[lw216316]

thanks Dale , I'll check that out.
I can see why in your case you need /want the 'no-pop' type of cable for switching guitars quickly.

In my case, if I use a 'regular' cable
....when I first set up, if I plug into the guitar jack first -
      (and the amp system is already 'on' -)

   and then plug into the amp -  there should be no 'pop' ?
....because there is nothing coming from the guitar end to be amplified ? - until later when the guitar is played...

- Larry

[Dale_I]

In that case, when the amp is the last thing plugged into, you would still get a pop if the amp is turned up because of the connection between the cable end and the amplifier jack. The key is to kill the signal amplification. Having your amp turned down, plugging into the amp, then turning the amp back up, would do it.

Previously mentioned, I also use a TU-2 tuner, which will kill the signal while you change guitars as well.

You can kind of think of the "pop" as the noise from an electrical arc. If you were plugging in something to a wall outlet, there is a brief moment when the electricity can arc from the outlet to the plug... and "pop". It isn't exactly the same thing, but close enough to use as an anology.

So, if you were to kill the amplification of where you are plugging in at, you would eliminate the sound of plugging in.

[lw216316]

thanks Dale.   

I don't have much experience at this.
I'm thinking of using a guitar with a pick up the next time I play in public
and don't want to hurt anyone's ears or embarrass myself 
....so doing my homework !

- Larry

[pehabe]

I use Neutrik silent plug also and very pleased with the result:

http://www.thomann.de/de/neutrik_np_2_x_au_silent.htm

but usually I plug in the guitar after the amp. Why? to avoid the pop :D
Neutrik silent will do the job.

But pay attention to Planet Waves plug:
http://www.thomann.de/de/planet_waves_pw_agp_1.htm
It has a small switch to turn on/off signal manually.  When you forget to turn it on then you could have an embarrassing moment searching for the problem on stage.  And when you forget to turn it off before plug out... you will get your pop. In a horrible manner.  
*personal experiences*
Neutrik system is genial... it uses spring and the switch is integrated on the plug. As soon you plug in it closes the signal circuit silently. No pop.

Good luck.

[Michael T]

I have a planet waves & it does have a switch on the end you plug into your guitar. I switch between a 6 & 12 string a lot and it is very handy. I would imagine if you forget to turn it off it would pop just like any other plug, I've yet to do that but i imagine I could. They are pricey though.

[ncognito]

Larry--

If the battery is still in the guitar, and you haven't used it in long time it is more than likely dead.  Also, you might have some corrosion issues to address where the 9V connects.

          DAVE

[rockstar_not]

The pop is the connection from the cable when it enters the guitar jack. If the amplifier is on, the amplifier amplifies the signal, in this case the pop, and sends it to the speakers.

However, there is a cable end that eliminates pop on plug in as well. I use them when playing live because I may need to change a guitar or two during the set and it is easier to unplug a guitar, pick up a new one, and plug it in, than to have several plugged in at the same time.

Neutrik cable ends have some that are called Silent Connector. I'm sure other brands like G&H have them too, it's just that mine are Neutrik, so I know they have them.

Go over to ebay and do a search using these words:
Guitar Cable Silent Mogami

Today it showed about 8 different auctions that feature this cable end using Mogami cables.

Bingo - planet waves makes one - called 'circuit breaker' - it has a momentary cutoff that you hold down with your thumb while you plug in/out.  You can even buy them at Walmart.com

The issue with 1/4" cables is that both the tip and the ring have to pass by the ring contact when plugging in.  All of the cables that have pop elimination features eliminate this by making both the hot and ground side of the connections simultaneously.  Neutrik also make a very popular version of this for speaker cables called 'speak-on'.