Problem with Boss pedal

RW James

RW James

New member
I have a Boss OC-2 Octave pedal with an annoying problem. When I power up the pedal board, it starts out turned on. It's the only pedal I have that does this. And if there is a slight bump in the power, it goes on.

I've removed it from my pedal board for this reason - and since I don't play lead all that much I don't really miss it. But it bothers me to have a pedal I can't use.

Is there something wrong with the pedal that I can fix? Or should I just sell it?
 
Re: Problem with Boss pedal

Most Boss pedals when you plug them in automatically turn on,.....so as for the power bad thing....it's probably that the power is cutting in and out on it, hence why it keeps turning on...try a Battery for a bit, or secure the power plug on the pedal itself and see how that goes.

~Mitch~
 
Re: Problem with Boss pedal

SonofaMitch said:
Most Boss pedals when you plug them in automatically turn on,.....so as for the power bad thing....it's probably that the power is cutting in and out on it, hence why it keeps turning on...try a Battery for a bit, or secure the power plug on the pedal itself and see how that goes.

~Mitch~
Click to expand...

I have other Boss pedals and I haven't noticed this problem... I'll have to check again.

And it's not a loose power cord that's the problem - we have really dirty power here. I've given up trying to set the clock on my microwave.
 
Re: Problem with Boss pedal

RW James said:
I have other Boss pedals and I haven't noticed this problem... I'll have to check again.

And it's not a loose power cord that's the problem - we have really dirty power here. I've given up trying to set the clock on my microwave.
Click to expand...

Then by all means try a battery . power surges and dips can have a devistating effect on electronics.
 
Re: Problem with Boss pedal

Some boss pedals just turn on when they first get power from your ac adaptor. The PS-2, PH-3, DS-2, and CE-5 that I have all do this . . . the rest of the pedals don't. It's not really a problem, because you can just click them off and then everything operates normally. If your power is so dirty that your pedalboard is losing power on a regular basis, then get a power filter/regulator (it'll save your amp too!) or just use batteries in all of your pedals.
 
Re: Problem with Boss pedal

I've never figured out what determines whether a Boss pedal powers up active or bypassed. I have five Boss pedals on my pedalboard, and it always powers up with the DS-1 AND the SD-1 "on". Mayhem in the making. I always make sure my amp stays on standby before switching the pedalboard on.
 
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Re: Problem with Boss pedal

Rich_S said:
I've never figured out what determines whether a Boss pedal powers up active or bypasses. I have five Boss pedals on my pedalboard, and it always powers up with the DS-1 AND the SD-1 "on". Mayhem in the making. I always make sure my amp stays on standby before switching the pedalboard on.
Click to expand...

Good idea!

I do use a power conditioner. I think it just softens the bumps.

guess I'll just learn to live with it.
 
Re: Problem with Boss pedal

My DS-1 and SD-1 never power up "on".

Another thing to check is to put a meter across the + and - of the adapter plug with power on. See what kind of voltage you are getting. It should be steady. If it fluctuates, get a regulated power supply like the One-Spot.
 
Re: Problem with Boss pedal

I wouldn't say most. The ones I have that turn on when plugged in are the SD-1 and the PS-5. The DD-3, RV-5, and DS-1 don't. The kicker is the pitch shifter (PS-5) is the absolute last pedal you EVER want to be accidentally engaged! The Octave would have my vote for the second worst unless you start your set with a cover of Zep's Black Dog or something else that sounds neat with an Octave. :)


SonofaMitch said:
Most Boss pedals when you plug them in automatically turn on,.....so as for the power bad thing....it's probably that the power is cutting in and out on it, hence why it keeps turning on...try a Battery for a bit, or secure the power plug on the pedal itself and see how that goes.

~Mitch~
Click to expand...
 
Re: Problem with Boss pedal

GuitarStv said:
Some boss pedals just turn on when they first get power from your ac adaptor. The PS-2, PH-3, DS-2, and CE-5 that I have all do this . . . the rest of the pedals don't. It's not really a problem, because you can just click them off and then everything operates normally. If your power is so dirty that your pedalboard is losing power on a regular basis, then get a power filter/regulator (it'll save your amp too!) or just use batteries in all of your pedals.
Click to expand...

You would think the RV-5 (Digital Reverb) being the only one that makes sense to turn on automatically so you can stuff inside a rack or amp cavity would but it doesn't! :(
 
Re: Problem with Boss pedal

Interesting about the TR-2....

The PH-3 I had, and my DD-20 does. The TU-2 don't, though..
 
Re: Problem with Boss pedal

It's totally random if they will be on or off when they are powered up, it's all dependant on the tolerances of some of the components in the FET switching circuit. There's nothing you can really do about it other than find one that powers up the other way. My DD-6 and my old OC-2 powered up "on", my SD-1 and CH-1 power up "off", I've had DS-1 that would come up on and some that would come up off. It's just a random thing.
 
Re: Problem with Boss pedal

My Boss Flanger does it too but not the other 6 Boss pedals on the board. Weird!
 
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