Neve 54 series replacement knobs

[Plush]

I need some too. Geoff, where you AT?

[andre tchmil]

close up picture.
Might have some -

[Alphablast]

Have a killer 54 series

Got my neve knobs here:

The Hook Studios - Classic Neve Console Replacement Knobs


What did you have done to it? Who did the work?

[skybluerental]

Originally Posted by Alphablast

Have a killer 54 series

Got my neve knobs here:

The Hook Studios - Classic Neve Console Replacement Knobs


What did you have done to it? Who did the work?

do those HOOK knobs work on the 54 series??
i spoke with the guy at The Hook and he was not sure they would, but they seem nice.
let me know.

to answer your question, several mods were done to my console by Soren Wittrup and myself.
the console is a 12 channel, 4 buss.
we recapped the whole board(all EL and tantalum caps replaced by Nichicon) and replaced all the the op amps with OPA 134’s. this required the removal of a few compensation caps as well.
the 4 busses were modded to also accept external line inputs and we added another line level stereo return that goes straight to the stereo buss via the buss bar connector on the back.
this gives the console a total of 18 inputs on a mix, which is perfect for my workflow.
the power supply was also totally redone with several upgrades by Soren.

next we will do the balanced direct out mod, but i wanted to test it out after the rehab/upgrade job to make sure everything was working properly before we do that, so we can fix any little issues that might arise next time i take it in.

so far i can report that the console functions flawlessly and sounds/feels absolutely fabulous.

i must say, i am quite impressed.

the hard work is over, now i just need to get a few knobs replaced!

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by skybluerental

do those HOOK knobs work on the 54 series??
i spoke with the guy at The Hook and he was not sure they would, but they seem nice.
let me know.

to answer your question, several mods were done to my console by Soren Wittrup and myself.
the console is a 12 channel, 4 buss.
we recapped the whole board(all EL and tantalum caps replaced by Nichicon) and replaced all the the op amps with OPA 134’s. this required the removal of a few compensation caps as well.
the 4 busses were modded to also accept external line inputs and we added another line level stereo return that goes straight to the stereo buss via the buss bar connector on the back.
this gives the console a total of 18 inputs on a mix, which is perfect for my workflow.
the power supply was also totally redone with several upgrades by Soren.

next we will do the balanced direct out mod, but i wanted to test it out after the rehab/upgrade job to make sure everything was working properly before we do that, so we can fix any little issues that might arise next time i take it in.

so far i can report that the console functions flawlessly and sounds/feels absolutely fabulous.

i must say, i am quite impressed.

the hard work is over, now i just need to get a few knobs replaced!

Hi

The reason Mike is dubious of the fit is because he originally had the knobs molded as spares for his Neve 8068... which uses interpanels below the front panel of the module to mount the pots.

The 54 series used pots that were fixed directly to the front panel so the nut and the bush is visible above the front panel.

So on these consoles, Neve pressed the insert further inside the molding to allow for clearance of the bush inside the knob. The screw hole is drilled further up also, near the centre line.

The problem with that is the molding swells with the insert pushed up into the draft angle inside the molding and they have been known to crack.

So you could use Hook's knobs at a pinch, but they will sit up higher than the other knobs.... about 3/16" or so

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

Hi

The reason Mike is dubious of the fit is because he originally had the knobs molded as spares for his Neve 8068... which uses interpanels below the front panel of the module to mount the pots.

The 54 series used pots that were fixed directly to the front panel so the nut and the bush is visible above the front panel.

So on these consoles, Neve pressed the insert further inside the molding to allow for clearance of the bush inside the knob. The screw hole is drilled further up also, near the centre line.

The problem with that is the molding swells with the insert pushed up into the draft angle inside the molding and they have been known to crack.

So you could use Hook's knobs at a pinch, but they will sit up higher than the other knobs.... about 3/16" or so

PS Thinking on that further.... the 8068's Aux send pots were Centralab switch/pots that need the insert pushed higher because the knob went through a hole in the front panel and almost hit the pot bush. But the height difference is less noticeable if the knob sits partially below the front panel. You can recognise the modded knobs easily as the screw hole is half way up the knob.... regular knobs have the hole at the bottom of the knob.

[skybluerental]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

Hi

The reason Mike is dubious of the fit is because he originally had the knobs molded as spares for his Neve 8068... which uses interpanels below the front panel of the module to mount the pots.

The 54 series used pots that were fixed directly to the front panel so the nut and the bush is visible above the front panel.

So on these consoles, Neve pressed the insert further inside the molding to allow for clearance of the bush inside the knob. The screw hole is drilled further up also, near the centre line.

The problem with that is the molding swells with the insert pushed up into the draft angle inside the molding and they have been known to crack.

So you could use Hook's knobs at a pinch, but they will sit up higher than the other knobs.... about 3/16" or so

hey Geoff,
thanks for chiming in.

Soren said the same thing about the 8068 knobs vs the 54 series knobs.....

where the hell can i get a few 54 series replacements?

AMS Neve replied to my initial email seeming like they had some they would sell, but now they are just ignoring me.

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by skybluerental

hey Geoff,
thanks for chiming in.

Soren said the same thing about the 8068 knobs vs the 54 series knobs.....

where the hell can i get a few 54 series replacements?

AMS Neve replied to my initial email seeming like they had some they would sell, but now they are just ignoring me.

Hi

Well, if Mike has any undrilled moldings they could be modified with the insert pushed further up. To be honest, I doubt AMS-Neve have any of the knobs because I believe, back around the late 80's/early 90's when they were preparing to move to the the new factory, they sold a bunch of their obsolete stock (including all those NAD knobs) to Steve Butterworth who used to trade as PAST electronics.

It may be nobody at AMS-Neve remembers this and they are scurrying around looking for them.

Steve seems to have disappeared from cyberspace unless anyone has had contact with him.

A shame SIFAM had to close and split up production... I think you would find their 1/2" collet knobs are very similar to the Neve NAD knobs.... a smidgen taller

http://www.sifam.com/knobDetails.asp...llet&Type=K151

[Schmacko]

Thanks for providing your comments, Geoff! Much appreciated.

I picked up my 54 series a couple of years ago, and you have always been quick to respond to inquiries regarding the upkeep and modifications such as direct outs, which the smaller format versions lack.

However, I have noticed people mentioning upgrades to the power supply. The supply which came with my 8 channel board claims to be able to power another 54 series. So, should I be looking to upgrade my power supply as well, or is it only necessary for those who have purchased boards with non-original power supply units?

Thanks,
Grant

[skybluerental]

Originally Posted by Schmacko

Thanks for providing your comments, Geoff! Much appreciated.

I picked up my 54 series a couple of years ago, and you have always been quick to respond to inquiries regarding the upkeep and modifications such as direct outs, which the smaller format versions lack.

However, I have noticed people mentioning upgrades to the power supply. The supply which came with my 8 channel board claims to be able to power another 54 series. So, should I be looking to upgrade my power supply as well, or is it only necessary for those who have purchased boards with non-original power supply units?

Thanks,
Grant

hey there,
just to be clear, the mods to my power supply were as follows:

- all caps replaced. i think a few of them were changed to a higher voltage, but i cant remember for sure. i would have to ask.

- on/off switch and LED indicators for +15, -15 and 48V were added to the front panel.

- an IEC socket replaced the hard wired power cable.

- a grill was installed on one side of the chassis to allow for ventilation.

i am pretty sure that is it, but i would have to ask my tech to be certain.

these were done to the original Neve power supply.

hope this helps.

-A

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by Schmacko

Thanks for providing your comments, Geoff! Much appreciated.

I picked up my 54 series a couple of years ago, and you have always been quick to respond to inquiries regarding the upkeep and modifications such as direct outs, which the smaller format versions lack.

However, I have noticed people mentioning upgrades to the power supply. The supply which came with my 8 channel board claims to be able to power another 54 series. So, should I be looking to upgrade my power supply as well, or is it only necessary for those who have purchased boards with non-original power supply units?

Thanks,
Grant

Hi

Early 54's used a piece of (too polite to say) switching power supply by Powertron.

Best used as door stop or boat anchor and replaced with a decent linear like Neve did.

Posted from my iPhone

[skybluerental]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

Hi

Early 54's used a piece of (too polite to say) switching power supply by Powertron.

Best used as door stop or boat anchor and replaced with a decent linear like Neve did.

Posted from my iPhone

hey geoff,

is there a way to date the 54 series based on the serial number?

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by skybluerental

hey geoff,

is there a way to date the 54 series based on the serial number?

Hi

I wish but I don't have records of standard consoles A numbers, only a few hundred custom consoles.

I believe they came out around 1978 (memory may play tricks but that seems about right). They didn't changed much as the years ticked past but three pointers would indicate later units from early ones.

Early ones used a horrid custom designed switching power supply by Powertron that was infamous for its unreliability. Neve designed the 33643 (?) linear supply for later 54's.

Early ones also had, on the 34128 channel module, pins 3 & 4 on the edge connector bonded together (cutting 4 loose makes an excellent pin for channel output tap) and the Belclere transformer was soldered directly to the PCB. Later modules the pins 3 & 4 were separated.

Later units had microphonic Belclere transformers.... logic might suggest to sling them back and get the problem sorted... but reality mounted the transformers upside down in a steel frame lined with foam. Long unshielded wires led down to the PCB pads.

That foam, 30 years down the road, rots away leaving the transformer to rattle around. Replacing the foam would most likely fix the issue...

I never liked those Belcleres.... too many bodges needed to get them to work properly. On later 45 series consoles the line input version had the secondary load raised to double the normal value, doubling the input matching impedance, and then a 20K resistor would be wired across the input to bring the impedance back to 10Kohm...

Didn't need that on 31267's!