388 trim pots???

  • Thread starter Thread starter j.harv
  • Start date Start date
j.harv

j.harv

@#$%
Ok.
I just miked up my drums with 4 mics and sub mixed them down to 2 tracks.
When I adjust the trim pots for the tom mics it seem too loud at only a 1/4 turn of the knob.I can turn the knob all the way off and Im still getting a loud signal.Even going into the red on the meters.I thought if the trim was all the way off there would be no signal going to the meters or tape.Am I doing something wrong???
Also...My channel 7 trim control seems to be a bit messed.I have to push down on it to get it work.But when I take the pressure off of it it doesnt work.
I did open this thing up to clean it when I first bought it,so could this just be a channel card issue.I did take them out when I opened her up.
Maybe just not seated properly????

One more thing.I did manage to record a few beats and this thing sound amazing on drums!!!.Cant wait to hear it when I add a litte reverb and compression.
 
I'm not sure I understand...

At what stage are the meters going into the red? Are you talking about the L-R meters or the buss meters?

How are the channel eq's and faders set as well as the buss faders?

What kind of mics?

I would suspect a bad solder joint on #7 trim pot.

BTW, a trim pot fully counter-clockwise does NOT necessarily mean infinity gain (all the way off). Trims have a gain range and it doesn't always start at "nothing"...have to look at the specs for the, uh, spec...if its listed.
 
No.
Turning the trim all the way down does NOT turn it off.
Did you try engaging the pad?
 
Thanks guys.
I just have the levels set up like the manual says.It just seems I cant get the signal out of the red on the PGM meters.These are tom mounted mics im just experimenting with.I have all the faders set in the shaded area like the manual instructs and the eq is set a 12 oclock for all.Maybe it's just because the mics are alot closer to the toms that its clipping.I'll keep messing with it.
Thanks again.
 
guido #2 said:
No.
Turning the trim all the way down does NOT turn it off.
Did you try engaging the pad?
Click to expand...

No PAD function on a 388.

j.harv, again, what mics are you using? How are you positioning the mics?

Are the OL clip LED's lighting?
 
sweetbeats said:
No PAD function on a 388.

j.harv, again, what mics are you using? How are you positioning the mics?

Are the OL clip LED's lighting?
Click to expand...
Ooops! My mistake. I figured it was like the others in the 300 series...:o
 
Think of the 388 mixer as a "300 ala carte"...actually it is quite different from the rest of the M-300 series family...physical construction bears much family resemblance as do the cosmetics, but the amp circuitry on the 388 is TL072-based and the M-300 mixers are 5532-based which drives some significant differences in the related topology.

388's got sweepable eq on all three bands vs. 2 (wish it was shelving on the top and bottom vs. peaking but it sounds better IMHO than the M-500 series eq...), two aux busses vs. 3 + 2 on the M-300's (just 3 on the M-308), but obviously the 388 mixer is 8-buss (odd busses grouped to one master fader and even to another), and then the M-300 mixers just shine having phantom power ('B' series), PAD, separate trims for LINE and MIC inputs, inline monitoring of line or tape returns...long-trhow faders too. BUT...IMO the 388 mixer is a wonderful balance of necessary basics vs. smart and useful bells and whistles. As a total package there is NOTHING else like it.
 
Its a reasonable assumption IMO though...and when they share all the same cosmetics you know?
 
Thanks again Sweetbeats and Guido.

SweetBeats....The mic IM using are just cheap CAD drumkit mics mounted to the toms with clips.I have them up on the mounts as high as they can go.
Also the OL light is not coming on but....I think I found the problem.

It seem as though my channel 7&8 trims aren't working.Like I said earlier,I had to put pressure on 7 and now I have also discovered #8 trim is not working at all.
Dang!!!!

Anyway...I'll open'er up and see if I can see anything loose.
Hope I can fix it.
 
The...trims aren't working? you mean they aren't attenuating? If the clip LED isn't lighting then you aren't clipping the head amp regardless of the setting of the trim pot, and obviously you don't need any boost...why can't you just lower the channel fader?

Otherwise if you need replacement parts for the 388 I can help.

PM me if needed.
 
Im pretty sure the pots aren't working.I hooked a mic up to all other channels
and cranked the trims while listening through headphones and the mics were picking up loud and clear.But with 7&8 I would turn up all the way and hear nothing.I'll be opening it up in a day or two to see if there are any loose solder joints,wires etc....
Could the pots be defective or do you think this is just a connection issue.

Maybe I'll have to PM ya if needed.
Thanks again.

Jason.
 
It's starting to sound like the pots are poo. I've had that happen with other gear before. Like an internal short in the pot... depending where it's at, you'll get all or nothing. SOMETIMES, you can clean them and they will work again.

Caigs Deoxit Spray



Someday Id like to play with one of those 388 thingies. They're like the first porta studio :D
 
So...wait...I thought you were saying that signal was getting through and blasting the buss meters...? :confused:

Now it sounds like you are saying signal isn't getting through well...
 
You know what????
I think it was because the way I routed everything I got mixed up with the trims from other channels.:drunk:They seem to be fine,no more clipping but trims 7 & 8 are not working.Except 7,when I put a little pressure on it.So,I think im going to take a look inside this evening.
Thanks again.
I'll be back.
 
Yes they do.Especially when you get lost in a familiar area when walking home after celebrating an Oktoberfest party.But thats another story.

I finally got 7 & 8 channel cards out.Channel 7...Loose solder joints,just as Sweetbeats said.

But channel 8???? No visible problems.Anybody know what the problem might be???? Are these style pots easy to find????

Thanks.
 
Problem Solved!!!

Well I added some solder to the loose points on the board on trim 7 and reinstalled the card and for #8 I figured I'd just try spraying some cleaner in the pot and giving it a few quick twists.Reinstalled and both working!
Channel 7 seemed to have a little bit of hum but maybe its because I have the 388 on its side opened up...not too sure but gonna do some sound testing.

Woo-Hoo!!!!

Thanks again.
Jason.
 
Its also possible that exercsing the connections on #8 brought it back to life.

Regardless, kudos on getting it fixed!
 
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