Allen & Heath mixer makes strange noise

noisekeeper · 19th December 2011

Hello geekslutz,

i recently got an 8 track A&H mixer (Mix Wizard) in pretty good (optical) condition. While i did some tests i realized that it carries solid-borne sound (tapping on the chassis, button-noise ...) into the signal/monitor path with a clearly audible level, just like there was an internal talkback mic open (there is none). This appears only when listening to the LR master and is gone when switching to AUX or CUE PFL.
Does that make any sense ? Am i doing something wrong ?
Is it possible to repair it with little (or let's say very little to none) knowledge of electronics ?
thanks for your help - i'd really love to use this desk for recording (the pre's should be fine btw ?)

Ike Zimbel · 19th December 2011

I have one of these on the bench right now with a similar problem. I have just, 5 minutes ago, ordered a new ribbon cable that runs from the connector board to the master modules. I will let you know if that corrects the problem or not. If that does it, you don't need to know much electronics to fix it, but you will need to know how to dismantle the unit and put it back together.
best,
Ike

noisekeeper · 19th December 2011

Hello Ike, thank you, and what a coincidence ! :P
Then good luck.... i'm curious about your results,
Christian

RyanIBIJ · 5th February 2012

I have an Allen and Heath GL2400 with a very similar problem. When I bump the board or tap on a button in the eq section, a very audible "thump" comes through the mains. Have you had any luck resolving your problem? Thank!

Ike Zimbel · 5th February 2012

Hi guys,
I had forgotten about this post! That said, I'm still waiting for the correct ribbon cable. The first one they sent was the wrong part.
Stand by.
Ike

Ike Zimbel · 7th February 2012

Ok, this just in: Got the new ribbon cable in this morning, installed it, no change. (this being a public forum, I'll spare you any of the words that may have left my lips at this point...). So, in further poking and prodding of the patient, I noticed that a few of the faders, including one of the masters, had loose screws on at least one end. Tightened the fader screws, noise floor dropped at least 3db and the tapping problem and noise bursts seems to be solved.
Once again, loose hardware contributing or causing a noise problem.

Best,
Ike

19th December 2011	#1
noisekeeper Gear interested Joined: Mar 2011 Location: Berlin Posts: 4 Thread Starter	Allen & Heath mixer makes strange noise Hello geekslutz, i recently got an 8 track A&H mixer (Mix Wizard) in pretty good (optical) condition. While i did some tests i realized that it carries solid-borne sound (tapping on the chassis, button-noise ...) into the signal/monitor path with a clearly audible level, just like there was an internal talkback mic open (there is none). This appears only when listening to the LR master and is gone when switching to AUX or CUE PFL. Does that make any sense ? Am i doing something wrong ? Is it possible to repair it with little (or let's say very little to none) knowledge of electronics ? thanks for your help - i'd really love to use this desk for recording (the pre's should be fine btw ?)

19th December 2011	#2
Ike Zimbel Gear addict Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 454	I have one of these on the bench right now with a similar problem. I have just, 5 minutes ago, ordered a new ribbon cable that runs from the connector board to the master modules. I will let you know if that corrects the problem or not. If that does it, you don't need to know much electronics to fix it, but you will need to know how to dismantle the unit and put it back together. best, Ike __________________ -- Ike Zimbel, Zimbel Audio Productions Ltd. Toronto 416-720-0887 "Studio House Calls". Authorized Warranty service for Allen & Heath, Clear-Com, Drawmer, Soundcraft, SPL and Yamaha. Repairs and upgrades to analog audio equipment including: AMEK, dbx, Neve, Neotek, MCI, Soundcraft and more. Ask about our RF frequency co-ordination services! www.zimbelaudio.com

5th February 2012	#4
RyanIBIJ Gear interested Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 1	Noise when mixer is bumped... I have an Allen and Heath GL2400 with a very similar problem. When I bump the board or tap on a button in the eq section, a very audible "thump" comes through the mains. Have you had any luck resolving your problem? Thank!

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7th February 2012	#6
Ike Zimbel Gear addict Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 454	Ok, this just in: Got the new ribbon cable in this morning, installed it, no change. (this being a public forum, I'll spare you any of the words that may have left my lips at this point...). So, in further poking and prodding of the patient, I noticed that a few of the faders, including one of the masters, had loose screws on at least one end. Tightened the fader screws, noise floor dropped at least 3db and the tapping problem and noise bursts seems to be solved. Once again, loose hardware contributing or causing a noise problem. Best, Ike