Soundcraft Spirit Studio - Weird Phantom Power problem..

[Folkynewey]

Hi there..

So I bought this Soundcraft Spirit Studio 16 - 8 - 2 desk from Ebay for a very low price over Christmas, and it's been working fine - I had it propped up against a wall (upright) in my old house where I had no space at all.

However, I've just moved into a new flat with lots more room, where I can lay the mixer down on a desk - and the phantom power doesn't work at all, on any channels. Dynamic mics work fine, as does every other desk function - but stick a condenser through it, and it doesn't get anything at all?

Is this a very technical question, or is there an easy option.. I've heard these desks have faults which sometimes 'iron themselves out' - when I got it, a couple of channels weren't working at all, and they now are. So I'm wondering if it's something like that or a bigger issue..

Cheers
Dave

[HiString]

Dave,

Have you checked whether the power supply is putting out 48V?

EDIT: You are turning on the 48V Phantom Pwr switch on the channel when you plug in the condenser ?

Unfortunately, as the power supply is a seperate item, S/craft didn't include details of it in either the console user manual or the console tech manual and while I have made notes regarding the "pin assignments" for the supply to console connections, they along with the console tech info and schematics are buried in amongst all my studio gear which is currently stored in my garage...........the result of minor flooding in the studio a few weeks ago............so I can't put my hands on the info and probably won't be able to for a few weeks.

From memory, there are a couple of fuses in the supply which may be worth checking out, also, the bridge rectifiers can be a weak point. Without any schematics, I'd be opening the back of the console and checking the leads on the back of the power input socket, etc., then move on to the power supply itself..........just be carefull that it's not plugged into mains before opening and that it's had plenty of time for the main capacitors to discharge before poking around.

You could contact S/craft or their local representative and ask if they have a schematic available for the pwr supply.

These consoles are old enough that they will have annoying faults develop.......dirty switch contacts, dirty pots and faders, etc., any of which can cause temporary failure of channels, etc. I'm actually hoping to find someone parting one out so I can get a couple of spare pcb's if the price is sensible.

[Folkynewey]

Thanks for that.. the 48v light on the front of the power supply is lighting up, but I guess it's just weird that it works stood up but not laid down..

I'll check out the connections, I guess that makes the most sense. All 48v buttons are on - and the desk works fine when I plug in my externally powered Valve mic. So it's clearly just the phantom power issue. Shame.. I like the desk. For £100 it was a bargain...

Dave