MCU Pro backlight repair?

[popmann]

Btw...also, have an email into Mackie for a part number.

[Lotus 7]

Have you tried Mackie's technical support email? (techmail@mackie.com) I needed parts for a old HDR 24/96 a couple of years ago, and they were surprisingly helpful and even supplied an updated video card at no cost for a piece of gear that was way out of warranty. I was impressed.

[popmann]

Of course...that's what I said...emailed them...it's the weekend. Hopefully, they respond early next week. If not, I'll call.

[popmann]

$106 per backlight for the part. I guess it could be worse...

[popmann]

...and it's worse. When I called back, they're "out of stock" until the end of August.

I f'n give. Anyone want to buy an MCU Pro with two extenders that the extenders' backlight doesn't work? Apparently, the original owner was OK with just squinting to see them--mind you, the actual LCD display functions 100%.

[LeeYoo]

Hi.
I have replaced hundreds of backlights (mostly in consumer audio gear) in the days they just used short lasting lightbulbs.
Now it is mostly LEDs (or EL strip), but they also go after a while, maybe because they are driven too hard.
Replacing is not always easy, but it can be done.
Upload some pictures of the back of the LCD.
Maybe you just need to replace a few $2.00 LEDs.
Leo..

[popmann]

I'll take it back apart and snap a pic...thanks.

[popmann]

I got wide tracked...replacements came in...kind of an ordeal to replace-literally have to almost completely disassemble the entire unit, which is actually why I didn't snap the pic...I went to it and realized how much disassembly work there was...brain onto other things.

New ones are bright and shiny. So much so that after the first extender fired up, I decided it would be best to use the second display for the main unit, which was hella dim by comparison.

I still think though that when I get time, I'm gonna play with the "not working" ones...see if I can isolate the backlight. When I first replaced the main unit, the new LCD acted just like the dead ones--turned out to be a slightly, and I mean slightly not fully seated ribbon cable. Makes me wonder if reseating it on the extender that still has the dead backlight would fix it...that won't take long to test.

Mackie Support ended up being pretty helpful on subsequent calls. And, they're back ordered on the part AGAIN...makes me want to get a few extra...

[Faderjockey]

Yeah if you come up with anything on your own please share.
In the last week..my MCU Pro has gotten very dim.

Sucks.. I'm using the Klinke plugin for Reaper. Which allows the MCU to work so much better then it ever did in like Cubase.

I can anchor certain ch's to stay like a Euphonix I can tell it not to follow reaper. or show/hide ch's that's different from what on the screen blah blah..tons of stuff. But in order to select those options you have to be able to read the LCD to scroll through those selections.

He did make a few on screen windows that open when you select a combination of buttons on the MCU.. But unfortunately there isn't a window for those fader combo options..that's only viewed wit hthe LCD.

And it's getting dimmer and dimmer..when it goes full out that will suck.
Klinke made a lot of template for plugin controls which uses the LCD.
But I don't use those really.. Sounds like Mackie found a cheap part that's really not meant to last. I've had LCD backlight things that are much older still going strong.

[Faderjockey]

Still trying.. Haven't found anything yet. an email from a mackie repair center telling me they don't sell parts. Then wouldn't tell me the part number.