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Troubleshooting guide for audio problems including no sound, weak signal, noise, and tone issues.
Click any question to expand the answer.
No sound from REACTOR
Check these first:
-
Volume controls
- Master volume on REACTOR (not at zero)
- Preset volume in the app
- Effect levels (some effects can cut volume)
-
Input connection
- Guitar cable plugged in securely
- Cable plugged into correct jack (Guitar Input, not Power Amp In)
-
Mute status
- Check if Tuner mode is active (mutes output)
- Exit tuner by pressing any button
-
Preset loaded
- Try switching to a different preset
- Current preset may have very low volume settings
| Test | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Try different cable | Rules out cable issue |
| Try different guitar | Rules out guitar issue |
| Try headphones | Rules out speaker issue |
| Try factory preset | Rules out preset issue |
See also: Panel Overview
Guitar input sounds weak or thin
Adjust input settings:
-
Check Hi-Z mode
- In app: Settings → Device → Hi-Z Mode
- Enable Hi-Z for passive pickups
- May need to disable for active pickups
-
Increase Gain
- Turn up Gain on the amp or in the app
- Weak input often needs more gain to sound full
-
Check your guitar
- Low battery in active pickups?
- Volume knob turned down?
- Pickup selector in unusual position?
| Pickup Type | Hi-Z Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single-coil passive | ON | Standard setting |
| Humbucker passive | ON | Standard setting |
| Active (EMG, etc.) | Try both | May work better with Hi-Z OFF |
| Piezo/acoustic | ON | May need preamp boost |
See also: Panel Overview
I hear buzzing, humming, or noise
Identify the noise type:
Solutions by cause:
Ground loop / Power issues:
| Noise Type | Likely Cause |
|---|---|
| 60Hz hum (constant drone) | Ground loop or power issue |
| High-pitched whine | Electrical interference |
| Crackling | Bad cable or connection |
| Hiss (constant) | High gain + no noise gate |
- Try different power outlet
- Use a power conditioner
- Avoid sharing outlet with high-power devices
- Check guitar cable shielding
- Move away from computers, monitors, lights
- Turn body away from interference source (single-coils are directional)
- Use shielded cables
- Try a different guitar cable
- Check cable ends for damage
- Avoid coiling cables near power cables
- Enable Noise Gate effect
- Adjust Gate threshold until noise is gone but notes sustain
See also: Panel Overview
AI-generated tone doesn't sound right
Set expectations:
- AI generates a starting point based on your description
- It won't be perfect on first try
- Refinement is part of the process
-
Be more specific in descriptions
- Instead of "rock tone" → "80s hard rock with tight low end and bright presence"
- Include references: "like early Van Halen"
-
Use Audio to Tone for accuracy
- Upload the actual song/clip you want to match
- AI analyzes the audio directly
-
Refine iteratively
- After generation, describe what to change
- "More gain," "less bass," "add more delay"
-
Adjust manually
- Use Push/Smooth/Heat for quick tweaks
- Fine-tune in app for detailed control
See also: Editing Your Tone | Amp and Effect List
Specific amp model sounds wrong
First, verify the issue:
If amp model seems broken:
- Try the same amp model in a factory preset
- Compare to online demos of the amp
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Too dark/muddy | Increase Treble, engage Push mode |
| Too bright/harsh | Decrease Treble, engage Smooth mode |
| Not enough gain | Increase Heat setting, add Drive pedal |
| Too compressed | Reduce Gain, check Compressor settings |
- Factory reset the preset
- If issue persists across all presets, may be a bug
- Report to Support with amp model name and description
See also: Amp and Effect List
Sound is distorted when it shouldn't be
Check signal chain:
-
Input too hot
- Your guitar output may be too high
- Turn down guitar volume slightly
- Check Hi-Z mode setting
-
Gain staging
- Multiple effects boosting signal = unintentional distortion
- Check Drive, Boost, Compressor settings
- Reduce effect levels or bypass some effects
-
Master volume issue
- Digital clipping can occur at extreme settings
- Reduce Master or Output Level
-
Speaker overload
- At very high volumes, speaker may distort
- Reduce Power Control setting (try 25W or 1W)
See also: Panel Overview
Headphone output sounds different than speaker
This is partially expected:
- Speaker sound is affected by room acoustics
- Headphones deliver sound directly to ears
- Different frequency response
- Many players find headphone output brighter
- Adjust EQ (reduce treble slightly)
- Some presets are optimized for speaker vs. headphone
See also: Panel Overview
Volume differs between presets
This is normal:
- Different amps and effects have different output levels
- Clean presets are typically quieter than high-gain
-
Adjust preset output level
- In app, find the Output or Level control
- Balance to match other presets
-
Use Master volume
- Set Master on amp to comfortable level for loudest preset
- Boost quieter presets in app
See also: Organizing Your Presets
Sound cuts out intermittently
Check connections:
- Guitar cable jack loose?
- Cable intermittent? (test by wiggling)
- Input jack issue?
- Noise Gate threshold too high? (cuts off notes)
- Stable power supply?
- Using appropriate power cable?
- May indicate hardware issue
- Contact Support for diagnosis
See also: Troubleshooting Guide
When should I contact Support?
Contact Support if:
- No sound from any input (guitar, aux, USB)
- Physical damage to speaker or components
- Consistent noise that troubleshooting doesn't fix
- Sound cuts out regardless of cables/settings
- Factory reset (resets all presets and settings)
- Test with different guitar and cables
- Test with headphones vs. speaker
- REACTOR model (50 or 100)
- Description of sound issue
- When issue started (always, after update, suddenly)
- What you've already tried
See also: Factory Reset