Modifying a channel strip to have a direct out.

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by Nik D

I bought a Soundcraft 400b 16 channel mixer, and didn't realize it didn't have any direct outs on the channels. I feel really stupid, and if it's possible I want to add direct outs to all 16 channels. I'm using this mixer for the pres more than for mixing duties. Is there anything I can do?

Hi

That's a tall order if you have very little electronic experience.

As a starting point, you might be able to cobble something together by fitting 16 x SSM2142 balanced output IC's on a piece of strip board that you hide somewhere inside the console, tapped off a post fade amplifier point.

http://datasheets.sinus.cz/sosni.php?id=2688

Then you have to cut a hole in the metalwork for an Elco or similar connector.

I don't know what this will do to any warranty the console may have...

[Beezoboy]

You could just use the inserts and only put in your cable going into the insert send until it "clicks once." I had a 200b and I could even use EQ on the channel because it was permenantly set to post fader. I assume you probably new that though.

You could get 10 ouputs by using the 2 mains, the 4 Aux sends, and the 4 busses as mono sends. Sorry I am not familiar with this board so I am just assuming this is its configuration.

Beez

[Nik D]

Originally Posted by Beezoboy

You could just use the inserts and only put in your cable going into the insert send until it "clicks once." I had a 200b and I could even use EQ on the channel because it was permenantly set to post fader. I assume you probably new that though.

You could get 10 ouputs by using the 2 mains, the 4 Aux sends, and the 4 busses as mono sends. Sorry I am not familiar with this board so I am just assuming this is its configuration.

Beez

Yeah, I discovered the one click ticket about 45 minutes ago. I feel so dumb for not doing that the first time (I've been up for around 40 hours and I'm not thinking well at all). Thankfully it seems that all the channels have direct outs, even though they aren't really labled as such. (Labled as INS) Thanks for the help though, and the quick responses! The board is from around 78 or 79 and is in extremely nice shape, all it needs is a few new lights for the VUs and a good dusting.

[Jim Williams]

It's very easy to add direct outs to these. Get some shielded cable, tac at the fader amp's output. Drill and mount isolated 1/4 " stereo jacks. Run the shielded cable to the jack and wire the "tip" to the cable hot. Run a 75 ohm resistor from the "ring" to ground. Tie the jack's ground lug to the input ground, not the buss ground. You now have ground compensated, asymetrical balanced direct outputs!

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[Nik D]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

It's very easy to add direct outs to these. Get some shielded cable, tac at the fader amp's output. Drill and mount isolated 1/4 " stereo jacks. Run the shielded cable to the jack and wire the "tip" to the cable hot. Run a 75 ohm resistor from the "ring" to ground. Tie the jack's ground lug to the input ground, not the buss ground. You now have ground compensated, asymetrical balanced direct outputs!

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

Wow, that's really cool! I need to learn alot more about electronics so I can do my own mods and build some gear. What would you suggest as a good starting point for learning electronics and building gear?

[Peter Morrison]

Kicking around the Geekslutz forum of course doesn't hurt, but one of the best places I've found is http://www.prodigy-pro.com/forum/index.php this used to be the same group that was on recording.org

I'm still a mere lurker over there, but it is the first place I will go when I build my first piece of gear

Of course you might want to also pick up some basic electronics books from a bookstore or radioshack, this'll get you on track to reading and understanding schematics, from there you will start to recognize similar things between pieces of gear and that'll give you a great start on figuring out what is really going on inside (or where you should tap to build your own direct out)

Good Luck
Peter

[Snatchman]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

It's very easy to add direct outs to these. Get some shielded cable, tac at the fader amp's output. Drill and mount isolated 1/4 " stereo jacks. Run the shielded cable to the jack and wire the "tip" to the cable hot. Run a 75 ohm resistor from the "ring" to ground. Tie the jack's ground lug to the input ground, not the buss ground. You now have ground compensated, asymetrical balanced direct outputs!

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

Man...! Jim makes this stuff sound so easy. Must be nice to be so knowledgeable..!