 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wjk
Date: 2003-06-09 02:12
Perhaps a "techie" can answer this question--- why do I hear "clicks" when an amplifier powers on or off? Are these normal? Thanks.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-06-09 02:19
Hi,
I'm not a techie but it is probably the amplifier protection circuit the amplifier clicking on and off. The circuit is there so that the amplifier will not get a huge jolt of electricity right away on start up. There must some other circuits that need to be powered first.
IMHO, that's probably pretty close to what's happening.
HRL
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2003-06-09 02:48
Absolutely normal.
You should turn the volume (gain) all of the way down before powering sound equipment on or off. This will protect the most delicate components, your ears, and the second most delicate components, your speaker system. If you have a separate amplifier and mixer, turn the master gain down on both before changing power state. Turn the main level on your mixer down all the way before connecting or disconnecting inputs. If you are running an effects loop or separate monitor mix, turn these gain controls down as well.
There are a number of things that can happen in audio equipment during power up/down. The first and most obvious thing is noise from a mechanical switch opening or closing, which will not be clean. Computer circuits which rely upon mechanical switches, such as keyboards, have circuitry to "de-bounce" key states, which is to say that these circuits remove the noise. These de-bounce circuits are low-power; making one for a power switch will add cost with little benefit. Therefore, the very first thing amplified when you turn on your amp may well be noise from a mechanical power switch.
Beyond this, most amplifiers are designed for steady state operation, and what happens before they reach an equilibrium varies with their design. Some older tube-type equipment was famous for the wide spectrum of fascinating noises that occurred before the moment that their tubes were all up to operating temperature and things were working correctly.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-06-09 03:52
wjk, I thought I had mentioned the need to keep that aluminum foil helmet on to keep the electromagnetic pulses out of your brain. That might be a source of "clicking noises."
On the other hand, they're probably just normal power-off transients in the amplifier and nothing to worry about.
Let me know if they go away with the foil headgear on. I truly would be fascinated if that works.
Thanks and regards,
John
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