What does 'Relay Clicking' mean???Help please...

[CsaRvoX]

I had a question about true bypass and alt bypass modes with Line 6 DM-4 pedal,wrote a post to them and get the following reply...

'You can tell if the pedal is in true bypass or alternate bypass mode by watching
the LEDs when the pedal is first powered up. If it is in alternate bypass mode,
the LEDs will flash in sequence. You can also tell by listening to hear whether
the relays click or not when you switch an effect on or off. The relays only
click if the unit is in true bypass mode. True bypass is just that - a separate
audio path that bypasses all of the electronics of the pedal for a completely
uncolored signal. Alternate bypass just turns off the DSP, but the signal is
still running through the internal electronics of the pedal.'

but what does this 'relay clicking' they're talking about when pressing the effects on&off...are they the switches clicking when I press I'm confused :smack:

 

[msplines]

Re: What does 'Relay Clicking' mean???Help please...

but what does this 'relay clicking' they're talking about when pressing the effects on&off...are they the switches clicking when I press I'm confused :smack:[/QUOTE]
A relay is an electromagnetic switch in units and amps and the clicking sound is the arm moving between the contact points when the coil is energised or switched off. Solid state relay circuits do not normally make this noise as they have no moving parts.

 

[Lee]

Re: What does 'Relay Clicking' mean???Help please...

A relay is a remote switch. A tiny current switches a larger current.
Just like when you start your car. A small current through the ignition switch switches a much larger current (via heavy cable and relay) to the starter motor.

 

[Artie]

Re: What does 'Relay Clicking' mean???Help please...

What they're refering to is that, apparently, this unit has two "bypass" switches. A mechanical one, that you stomp to turn the unit effectively "off", and another, (the "alternate" bypass), that switches the "effect" on and off, as opposed the "pedal" on and off.

When using the alternate bypass, you'll hear a small relay "click" as you hit the foot switch. If you have the unit in "true" bypass mode, there won't be a "click" when you also hit the alt bypass.

In other words, its a simple way to tell whether or not you have the "true" bypass switch stomped.

 

[CsaRvoX]

Re: What does 'Relay Clicking' mean???Help please...

thanks artie but you say it is in true bypass if they're not clicking but in the reply they say if the relays are clicking then the unit is in true bypass mode...which one is true???I only hear a clicking sound when I power on the unit not by pressing the switches...is that the clicking sound when powering up???

 

[Artie]

Re: What does 'Relay Clicking' mean???Help please...

Ok, I see now. Apparently, they're using a relay to completely bypass the circuitry, as opposed to powering down the unit. So, they are correct, (obviously ), if you hear the relay "clicking", you're in "true-bypass" mode.

 

[CsaRvoX]

Re: What does 'Relay Clicking' mean???Help please...

thanks a lot...I've figured it out now...I've switched to True bypass mode and hear the relays clicking alive & well ...

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: What does 'Relay Clicking' mean???Help please...

I'm not even sure if I believe Line 6's claim to be true bypass, even in that mode. I've done the A/B test with a straight cord, and found Line 6's to still suck the tone dry. I use the blue and green on my board, but put them on a loopbox, to remove them both from my signal path, when I'm not using them. Now, I can setup a combination on the two pedals, then click it in or out.