Mixer knobs crackling...what could it be? help!

[rickv]

I just bought a Yamaha MR1642, an older 16 track mixer for a great price ($85!) and everything works fine. But, there is one problem: A few of the eq knobs and one of the faders makes cracling noise when they are moved. One of the eq knobs even makes a loud noise when it gets to a certain position.

From what I have read, this is proably due to dust getting into connections. Is this true, or even likely? Any guide on how to maintain a mixer, clean the electronics or whatever would be great.

I bought the mixer at this price expecting there to be a few minor problems, and I guess this is it! I'm guessing that everything is fixable though...right?....right?


On a side note, I have six channles into my soundcard, how would I go about hooking this up. I hope this isn't a really stupid question. There's no direct output for the strips. My guess is to use the inserts, but what about the cable connection type? Inserts have the send and return on the same 1/4 cable (true, yes?)...would there be anyway to wire this up as a balanced line out? Any advice is greatly apreciated!!!! I'm fairly new to all of this but I am reading a lot and learning tons.

 

[Stealthtech]

Yeah, the pointiometers have become dirty. There is a spray you can get at good music stores that will take care of it. Just stop by one and tell em your problem and they will get you what you need. I cant think of the name of it right this second.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Do NOT buy the Radio Scrap contact/pot cleaner - it will only make it MUCH worse....

Get the CAIG stuff or Cramolin...

 

[muttley]

If the thing has been stored for a while, just turning the knobs back and forth will get you through, some pots are sealed, so spraying may not help. You may have to take the back off to get to pots, also may have to take the boards out to get to the top of the pot to spray. If its older and not a real expensive board when new, you will have an easy time at this.
BLUE BEAR"S right NO! Radio SHACK stuff, it dries out the components really bad!!

 

[muttley]

You can try inserting a tip/sleeve cable int he inserts, BUTonly to the first click, other wise you break normalization on the mixer.

 

[rickv]

You can try inserting a tip/sleeve cable int he inserts, BUTonly to the first click, other wise you break normalization on the mixer.

thanks for the advice - I'll have to to fool around and see what I can rig up.

And this cleaner, CAIG or Cramolin - I'm guessing that I can get this at any radioshack...I'll find out soon enough!

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

And this cleaner, CAIG or Cramolin - I'm guessing that I can get this at any radioshack...

No - if you go there they will try to sell you their stuff - saying it's the same - it isn't... it's complete crap and as I said, will make the problem worse.

Get it from a local Pro Audio place...

 

[muttley]

Full Compass catalogue sells the complete line if your local pro supplier doesn't.



da MUTT

 

[roman]

The noise in the faders/pots are indeed just dust.
First thing first: try to reach an opening in the pot and use compressed air to get rid of the dust. Fiddle the knobs back and forth for a while and repeat for air burst.
After that you might considere spraying some contact-spray in it, but only for a last resort.

(the compressed air can be bought in cans)

The insert thing.
You will not get a BALANCED output from this. Like others mentioned; insert a mono/stereo (does not mather) jack (T[R]S) half way untill the first click. This will not break the signal.

the insert busses are typical like this:
- TIP, return
- Ring, Send
- Sleeve, ground

But be aware: when making a STEREO signal MONO, or in this case have the send and return connected, you have to connect the TIP and RING.
When making Balanced signals Un-balanced you have to connect RING and SLEEVE.
Notice the difference? Do not make the mistake by making your own cable and ignore the balance thingy.

Oh, Stereo and Balanced cables are 2 completely different subjects, although using the same kinda connectors.
There should be plenty reading material on the web for ya lot to get familiar with this matter.

just remember these things:
insert jack: tip=return, ring=send, sleeve=ground
stereo jack: tip=left, ring=right, sleeve=ground
balanced jack: tip=hot(2), ring=cold (3), sleeve=ground (1)

 

[muttley]

Roman; Whats your reference for this:

just remember these things:
insert jack: tip=return, ring=send, sleeve=ground
stereo jack: tip=left, ring=right, sleeve=ground
balanced jack: tip=hot(2), ring=cold (3), sleeve=ground (1)

I ask, because every manual I've read says the opposit,

tip=send
ring=return

tip=right
ring=left


da MUTT

 

[roman]

MUTT you're right about the send/return...
I gotta stop taking those damn pills... lol!

tip=send, ring=return..

 

[codyjames]

I have the same crackling on my MR1642. needs a service.

This desk suits an old 8 track with RCA in & outs well.
With the 4 stereo sub(ch) theres a way out to each track
(only 4 at a time but you get used to it)
and the tape-in on every channel brings you back in.