[hatmansaxplayer]

I just got my Chromaplane yesterday! (Backer 250) So exciting! It's a lot of fun and a great instrument. And all the extra attention to small details is very nice. I especially loved the included photo with message! 

Anyway, one thing I'm wondering about is that when I plug the Chromaplane into my mixer from the delay out, without either pickup plugged in, I can hear all the oscillators playing at once, faintly, but there's definitely a hum. I can hear it at even the slightest volume levels, and it of course goes up with an increase in volume. I tried several cables, and I tried two mixers, my Soundcraft, and the Field Kit mixer as well. I also moved the Chromaplane around on my desk in case something was interfering. But no change. 

I can hear it from the Filter Out as well, but not from the Env out. 

I tried plugging in headphones instead, and I couldn't hear the sound then, but that might just be due to the headphones not having any additional amplification. 

Any ideas what might be the culprit? Or is this the intended functionality?

[Jackieflipflop]

Hello hatmansaxplayer!

Glad to hear you enjoy the Chromaplane!
What you hear is basically a sort of "electronmagnetic noise".
The system is automatically picking up the noise of each coil and that slightly leaks trough the amplification stage. So, it faintly makes it to the output.

With proper gain staging should be negligible.
Think of that as the typical noise floor of an analog instrument: it is always present and you can hear it if you amplify it a lot without hearing it in a context but in fact, that amplification might be unnecessary.

If you listen with headphones, those won't amplify that much, therefore you won't hear the noise.

The CP should be inserted in a LINE level input of the Mixer. This should give you the best result.

[hatmansaxplayer]

Hello hatmansaxplayer!

Glad to hear you enjoy the Chromaplane!
What you hear is basically a sort of "electronmagnetic noise".
The system is automatically picking up the noise of each coil and that slightly leaks trough the amplification stage. So, it faintly makes it to the output.

With proper gain staging should be negligible.
Think of that as the typical noise floor of an analog instrument: it is always present and you can hear it if you amplify it a lot without hearing it in a context but in fact, that amplification might be unnecessary.

If you listen with headphones, those won't amplify that much, therefore you won't hear the noise.

The CP should be inserted in a LINE level input of the Mixer. This should give you the best result.

Thanks so much! This is all I needed to know. Still loving it!

[jkaaey]

Hello Snow Rider 3D!

Glad to hear you enjoy the Chromaplane!
What you hear is basically a sort of "electronmagnetic noise".
The system is automatically picking up the noise of each coil and that slightly leaks trough the amplification stage. So, it faintly makes it to the output.

With proper gain staging should be negligible.
Think of that as the typical noise floor of an analog instrument: it is always present and you can hear it if you amplify it a lot without hearing it in a context but in fact, that amplification might be unnecessary.

If you listen with headphones, those won't amplify that much, therefore you won't hear the noise.

The CP should be inserted in a LINE level input of the Mixer. This should give you the best result.

all useful tips!

[ortedtweed]

Hello hatmansaxplayer!

Glad to hear you enjoy the Chromaplane!doodle baseball
What you hear is basically a sort of "electronmagnetic noise".
The system is automatically picking up the noise of each coil and that slightly leaks trough the amplification stage. So, it faintly makes it to the output.

With proper gain staging should be negligible.
Think of that as the typical noise floor of an analog instrument: it is always present and you can hear it if you amplify it a lot without hearing it in a context but in fact, that amplification might be unnecessary.

If you listen with headphones, those won't amplify that much, therefore you won't hear the noise.

The CP should be inserted in a LINE level input of the Mixer. This should give you the best result.

Thanks for the detailed explanation! That makes a lot of sense, and the comparison to a typical analog noise floor is a perfect way to put it. I'll definitely check my gain staging and make sure I'm using a LINE level input on my mixer. I really appreciate you taking the time to clarify that. It's a huge help!

[JayriMellor]

Congratulations on getting your Chromaplane! That oscillator hum issue sounds frustrating but might be normal electrical noise when no input signal is present. Have you tried using a ground lift adapter or checking if other gear on the same power circuit might be causing interference? The fact that it's coming from delay and filter outputs but not envelope out is interesting - might be worth reaching out to support about that pattern.