Here we go...
Continuing from the old thread- viewtopic.php?f=5&t=491
A lot of the missing years of tech fixes at Electrical are going to be transcribed from the physical faults log books we have in each control room. These are the 'in the heat of the moment' scribblings by engineers, and the shorthand solutions. I'll try to expand on them as much as I can remember. The "faults" are written by a bunch of different people, as are some of the solutions, the result of in-session troubleshooting. So some of the entries might read a little more clunky than they used to.
Some major years long projects include-
Replacing all 2000+ pushbutton switches in the custom Neotek Elite in Studio A. This involved a glacial tag-team effort between me and JSP. I would desolder, and remove all the switches, then he'd stuff new ones in, cleaning the button caps at the same time. I also replaced the 5 electrolytic capacitors that deal with filtering and blocking phantom power on every channel's preamp. They originally installed caps rated to 50vDC, just above the 48v, which seems pointlessly close. Long ago, we had a problem with snapping noises on transients when using high output condenser mics, on loud sources (typically toms or snare). The preamp wouldn't be overloading. The snap was apparently produced prior to the pad, like when a head amp of a mic distorts. I found that replacing the DC blocking caps with ones rated for higher voltage, in this case 63v, solved the problem. I might have posted about it at some point but...
We changed most of the multitrack panel/snake connections from Edac to Cannon DL because the Edacs were getting beaten up with all the DAW-Tape changeovers. DL is better suited for frequent, quick changes. Edac is great for semi permanent connections. This was 16x 96 pin connectors, and lead to resnaking and permanently mounting the studio A converters in a rack (finally).
When the pandemic started, I had just ordered parts to make 60 DI boxes because of a facebook post I made about building more for the studio, and people wanted in. My wife and I built this first batch from home, during the first bit of the "lockdown". We now have a little part of the shop dedicated to it at the studio, and after a bunch of hiccups, it'll be a steady flow of production. Everyone here has a hand in building them. To date, we've built a little over 300.
-Elsewhere-
I recapped and repaired Wilco's 40 channel Neve 5300 console, two channels at a time. The drop off/pickup routine we had in the first months was like a clandestine drug or espionage document exchange.
Built a run of preamp/eqs.
Did a couple console, and studio installations...
Reading recommendations in order of life-long usefulness.
Audio Engineering-
- Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook
A good entry to advanced reference for general recording and studio technology (interconnections, signal flow, basics of transducers, mics, and recording theory).
- Handbook for Sound Engineers: The New Audio Cyclopedia
The 1998 ed. covers pretty much everything up to then (including the foundations of digital processing). Ultimate bible for engineers who want to know how things actually work. Real in depth information on Acoustics, Mics, Tape Machines, Consoles Studios, Electronics, Speakers, anything you’d be dealing with outside of “the box”. It’s extremely well researched, vetted, and sourced.
- Master Handbook of Acoustics
What you think it is. There are lots of books on acoustics. There might be a better one out there, but this works…
- Radio Shack Basic Electronics
Real starters book on what does what on a raw component level. Introductory level, but I still find helpful when I just need a quick refresher on simple concepts. There’s a Basic Digital Electronics companion book which has more good intro info.
- Art of Electronics
Great reference for anyone curious about getting deeper into audio electronics. It’s written in a way that is easier to follow for a non math or EE graduate, but doesn’t exclude important complex info.
- Small Signal Audio Design
Great overview and in depth component level info specifically covering professional quality studio audio design.
- RCA Receiving Tube Manual 1973 ed
Good overview about tube audio electronics and tube principals.
Alright. More later... I kept an off line list of things, which I shouldn't have written in shorthand..
