BOGEM MPR-6 w Spring Reverb Repair and Modification Project

[Dr ZEE]

Here's Bogen MPR-6 with spring reverb repair and mod project in details:
http://www.mzentertainment.com/studio_workshop_bogen_mpr_6.html
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This is a rather simple all transistors 6-channel mic ins - 'mono' out mixer with spring reverb "off/on" on each channel and reverb intensity control, yet it's pretty cool and very useful device, and you can put it on microphone stand -

The project covers general restoration, power supply repair, and all the inside details.
The modifications are:
1. Add Send-To-Reverb level control potentiometer on each channel
2. Add Line Level input jack on channels 1 through 5
3. Add power line fuse and new three-prong power cord.

 

[Somnium7]

I'm not sure I would have painted it black. I'm really sure I wouldn't have fixed that crazy looking tolex.
Aesthetics aside it's really freakin cool!!!

That is an interesting piece. It doesn't have the usual Bogen utilitarian/industrial look to it. I guess it was designed on the day the CIA secretly slipped acid into the water cooler and watched through the windows taking notes.

I have noticed that in Bogen gear there is an absolute minimum of electrolytic caps used in the audio signal paths. Even the unit I made the other Bogen thread about only has 1 electrolytic in the signal with all that circuitry... Good designs.

Good job bro

 

[Dr ZEE]

yeah, painting is for paineters
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I caught "how does it sound?" note
I don't know how to put it, except - "cool".
It is what it is, sort of speak. It's a "minimalist" type of gear, (may I put it this way ?), yet the entire unit is hosted inside of a heavy metal tank
The reverb is getting rather noisy after "1am" or so if output volume is all the way up, I'd guess that is to be expected.
It's sure is a cool effect box or for what ever you may think of using it for.
Hey! - submixing analog drum synth(s) , that's what I am looking forward to trying, but that would not be happening soon.

 

[Somnium7]

Yeah I didn't notice the mp3 clips.

I really like spring reverb on some sources. I have a hot-rodded Hammond T-524C which has spring reverb. When I get back to finishing the mods for it I'm gonna add a line-in and out for the verb. And another for the scanner vibrato

Hell yeah, your unit would be a sweet submixer. Another possible source besides drum synths would simply be multiple outputs from a sound card. Get you a nice analog tone for your digital mixes without resorting to buying a massive beast of a mixing console

Speaking of analog drum synths I have a link you may enjoy if you ain't seen it yet.
The Analog Peasant...
http://www.electronicpeasant.com/projects/projects.html
He's built a pretty nice drum synth - and the pads to trigger it.
I love this dude because he makes stuff from real junk. For example he has a reverb thing that's made from the LCD displays of trashed VCRs. Wild shit.

 

[Dr ZEE]

Uh, cool. Thanks for the link 'reminder', I saw this site while ago, forgot about it. I DO dig Country Crock Drums
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I am planing on building drum-synth based on DS8, learned about it first here:
http://m.bareille.free.fr/ds7clone/ds8.htm, there are many diy project based on it around as well.
I've took that design and sort of "expanded" it and added some experimental extras and "potentials" (by that I mean, there are things I'm yet not sure about, but only guessing, that they may be used in the "future possible set up", if you know what I mean )
I have the "system" in working experimental stage on bradboard (one channel) , I am planing to have four channels.
Here's the "unfinished" sketch schematics I'm still working on (this is one of four channels, I may add mixing section, but am not sure about it, I may just leave four outs idea and use external mixer(s):

http://www.mzentertainment.com/pics/analog_drum_synthesizer/dr_zee_raw_beat_quad_4x4_analog_drum_synthesizer_schematics_sketch.gif

 

[Herm]

Zee Cool looking unit and I like the vintage vibe.
But most of all I think the unit can sound real nice. The medium settings I thought where the best.
I am not much on the global warming garbage that is put out today, But you do your share of recycling, The kind I like

 

[Dr ZEE]

Thanks, Gary!

..I think the unit can sound real nice. The medium settings I thought where the best.

Yeah, about half way up (send) and about 3/4 up intensity (return) - you get sort of nice balance between dry and reverb, great for clean or not-so overdriven guitar. Also the one-transistor preamp as it is there gives guitar a somewhat nice drive if you turn channel's level(volume) almost all the way up. I am sure a guitar player would appreciate an extra options that this unit can provide.
I have yet to try it with recording drums. This could be interesting
I have few samples of UNIVOX CP-110 analog electric piano, recorded through this mixer with VERY VERY little reverb (almost unnoticeably little), it was recorded through MPR-6 channel, then through MX-8000 channel with a little compression (the "mighty" 3630, that is ) - to CD-Recorder, then of course converted to 128kbps mp3 .,
So, if you wish to check it out, for what it's worth, here is the page with those samples of CP-110 through MPR-6 (scroll down there):
http://www.mzentertainment.com/studio_workshop_univox_compact_piano_cp110.html
the samples there were "designed" to simply demonstrate the sound of CP-110: piano, honky and clavi with bass and then there's a sample - bass sounds only.
For extra effect, while listening to notes decay - one should visualise electrolytic caps slowly discharging - heh heh
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btw, speaking of "warming" ,
each time, right before engaging myself in the act of recycling, - I take a real DEEP breath first, naturally followed by rather extensive and prolonged exhalation.
So, my "carbon footprint" is rather noncompensatively heavy