Preferred settings on Ibanez AD-80

Vivek Agrawal · From: California, USA

Hello,

I have recently purchased a used AD-80 and am playing with the settings. Could people share what delay/time/repeat settings they typically use on this unit.

For one thing, I don't want feedback and something that can blow out the amp.

thanks,

-vivek

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Congrats on your find! The AD-80 is one of the best analog units ever IMO. I use one with a LeMay N400 and the sound is just wonderful. Here is what I do:

For normal playing, I turn the time control fully CW. Then I set the blend knob, or delay volume, to be about half as loud as the original note. I set the repeat control to give me about 2 repeats of feedback.

For faster tunes or C6th playing, I back off the blend control CCW so that the delayed volume is calmer. These settings work for me. You might try these and tweak them to suit your songs and/or style.

These work great for doubling notes to sound like you are playing twice as fast as you really are also. But that techinque might be better left for another discussion. Best of Luck! Let me know if I can help you in any way.

Vivek Agrawal · From: California, USA

Hello Jerry,

Thanks for your insightful information. This indeed is a special analog delay. Another question, on a slightly different note is - where to obtain the AC118 adapter for this unit? I'd hate to damage it with an incorrect supply and I believe it is heavy on batteries.

-vivek

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Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Vivek, yes...they are battery eaters. The best I've been able to find is the Danelectro DA-2 18v DC adaptor for their Cool Cat and Daddy-O stomps. They are quiet, inexpensive and used to be widely available, but are becoming harder to find lately. The plug end is a female type and must be modified to a male style though. The correct plug should be available at most electronic stores.

I took an end end of an old adaptor of some kind and just spliced it in. Caution if you do this, you must maintain polarity. If you're not sure how, have an electronics savvy friend do it for you. Or, if you can find one, you can send it to me and I'll be glad to do it for you.

I'm not aware of any other 18v DC adaptors out there, but you could check your local electronic stores. Best of Luck.

As to your earlier reference to the feedback control, this shouldn't hurt your amp no matter what the setting. It only applies to the regeneration of the delayed note. Some very interesting sounds though!

[This message was edited by Jerry Overstreet on 20 September 2006 at 10:54 PM.]

Vivek Agrawal · From: California, USA

Jerry, thaks again for the information on 18v adapters. However, like you said it might be hard to get a hold of even the danelectro adapter. Is it correct to assume any 18v volt adapter that can provide upto 200mA would work regardless of whether it was built for a delay unit? or do adapters made for delays have more electronics for noise reduction or some such thing/

The second question is about the type of jack and polarity it uses? I believe the Ibanez AD80 uses a mono type plug - what size is it and is the tip +ve or the side +ve? Is this something i can find at radio shack?

Many thanks for the exposition.

-vivek

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Scott Swartz · From: St. Louis, MO

The circuit of the AD80 uses a 12 VDC regulator (78L12), so any adaptor that outputs between 16 - 24 VDC will work fine. It does not have to be a "regulated" adaptor since that is taken care of inside the effect by the 78L12.

Links for adapter

http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/catalogs/c263/P242.pdf
http://www.mouser.com/search/refine.aspx?Ntt=553-wdu18-200

The plug is a 3.5 mm (or 1/8 inch) mono phone jack, you can get it at Radio Shack or the vendors above

[This message was edited by Scott Swartz on 21 September 2006 at 02:25 PM.]

Vivek Agrawal · From: California, USA

Thanks Scott for the information. I'll get one of those adaptors and change the plug.

-vivek

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Vivek, I defer to Scott re: the technical specs. I cited the Dano adaptor because I have first hand experience with it and know it works well. The other ones mentioned may work equally as well.

Polarity wise, I believe that the plug tip would normally be pos. I do not know for sure if this unit requires + or - ground. Due to an accidental stage snafu with some er...personnel, shall we say, my adapter is currently in disrepair. Otherwise, I would check it for you. The polarity of the adaptor unit can be confirmed with a dvom.

Good luck and many happy hours with your AD-80.

[This message was edited by Jerry Overstreet on 22 September 2006 at 09:44 PM.]

Vivek Agrawal · From: California, USA

Hi Jerry, Scott,

I thought I may be able to use two 9V NiMH rechargeable batteries instead. What do you think? How long would those last (comparable to alkaline?) I saw energizer 9V rechargeables that say the output is 7.5V/175mAH. DO you think these would be a viable option/ Definitely with batteries one has less wires to worry about.

-vivek

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Rechargeable batts. vary from maker to maker as do the charging stations. I went through this with my unit...I bought one from Radio Shack but was disappointed with the results. The rechargeables seemed to not last nearly as long as the Duracells.

Lately, I've gotten about 3 gigs out of 2 Duras and feel I can reasonbly expect one, maybe 2 more before they peter out.
I never had any worries with the Dano adaptor and just spliced in an extra long lead to the wall wart.

It's a shame that it died on me, and I'm still looking for another one.

Scott Swartz · From: St. Louis, MO

I think you will be disappointed with the life of rechargeables, as Jerry says.

I would consider the batteries as an emergency "got to the gig and no adapter, but there is a 7-11 down the street" option for the AD-80 or any BBD type effect.

Jerry is correct on the polarity, the adapter jack on the AD-80 bolts right to the diecast box (and therefore has electical continuity to ground) so the sleeve of the phone jack has to be the negative or ground, which means the tip is the positive.

[This message was edited by Scott Swartz on 26 September 2006 at 07:29 AM.]

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

I'd like to revive Vivek's earlier thread for a couple reasons:
Firstly, to ask Vivek if you have had any luck finding an adaptor and Secondly, to ask Scott and/or other electronics experts about power supplies.

As stated earlier in this thread, my power source died and I haven't been able to find another 18v DC at a price I can justify, but after wasting a couple 9v. batts., I decided to look around my bins for another adapter that would work. Here is what I found:

I had one of those multi-volt output units that has a switch that you can select outputs up to 12v.
A dvom read nearly 18v at the 12v setting and it is rated at 500ma. I gave it a try and it works just fine!

My question about this is, although it appears to work just fine and the requirement is 18v, is that enough output or should there be more voltage?

Like Vivek, I wouldn't want to damage the unit as they are hard to find now and I really love the thing.

Appreciate input from those of you who have some knowledge on the subject. Thanks JO.

Scott Swartz · From: St. Louis, MO

Jerry, check the voltage at the power jack of the AD80 when the effect is powered up.

The adapter will have a little "sag" as compared to when not delivering current (as you measured it), but as long as the voltage at the jack (and therefore the input to the regulator on the board) is 16 VDC or greater you are good to go.

4 volts is plenty to make the regulator work properly (ie regulate)

[This message was edited by Scott Swartz on 26 November 2006 at 10:17 AM.]

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Thanks Scott. The input jack is an enclosed one, so getting to the pos. tip is a bit of a problem. I know it can be measured at a point on the board. I think a dvom is safe for hunting, but I don't want to touch the wrong thing and short it out.

When I have it apart again, I'll look more closely.

Thanks again for your expertise.

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