sony mxp21/29/290 directs outs

[justinfarren]

Hey I just got one of these mxp21 mixers for free because the master section is nothing but static. The pre's and eq are great though. So I opened it up and tapped the pre fader signal from each channel and am in the process of wiring them all to the cascade out jack. boom... direct outs. they're unbalanced, but in my tests, i haven't noticed any awful noise and I'm really liking the sound... detailed and assertive are the adjectives that come to mind.

the easiest place to tap the signal is where the orange wire attaches to the fader... this is pre fader/post EQ. And I used the ground on the fader. I'm sure there are better ways to do this... I'm no techie. but so far, it's been working great. I'll let you know if it lights on fire during my next session.

[the_nooon]

Ok thanks dude,
Yeah its seems unbalanced, if u can post picture or sent it to me by mail ill be really happy

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[noiselab]

We are just modding 2 mx-p21's, the cascade out is great for sending out the channels unbalanced, you can connect the wires to the fader's output, so you will have the gain+eq+fader activated. We also decoupled everything+added some nice opamps for the eq's+the summing card (OPA1642's and LME49860's)
There is no hiss now...

[noiselab]

I made 2 custom breakout cables for the direct outs (4-4 channel in each)
the preamp noise is -99db in the mic channels. The preamps are really usable.

[the_nooon]

Hi there!
There isnt 8 pin on each din? Unbalanced then only ground on the tip no? It was neutrik np2c? U used only for 4 pin on each din connector?

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[noiselab]

Originally Posted by the_nooon

Hi there!
There isnt 8 pin on each din? Unbalanced then only ground on the tip no? It was neutrik np2c? U used only for 4 pin on each din connector?

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Yes, the outputs are 8 channel tuchels, I'm using it unbalanced 4-4 channels in each tuchels. I'm using Amphenol C091A's (around 18EUR each, silver plated, very good quality+Sommer Quantum cable,and Amphenol Jacks) I also installed a permalloy/copper sandwitch panel around the trafo inside, this also lowered the noisefloor. Cool stuff.

[inchkii]

Hi ya'll,
I'm very interested in the custom breakout cables for direct outs.I've got an mx-p21 and would love to get it going into my 8 channel presonus firepod.
Any more info on how its done would be great.This could be really cool.

[noiselab]

Originally Posted by inchkii

Hi ya'll,
I'm very interested in the custom breakout cables for direct outs.I've got an mx-p21 and would love to get it going into my 8 channel presonus firepod.
Any more info on how its done would be great.This could be really cool.

You can use the existing 2 8-pin tuchel cascade connectors, you will need extra cables internal, in each channel you can select to connect the direct out after the pre, after the eq pre fader, or post fader. Post fader is recommended for drums, or other loud sources as the pres are very sensitive, it will go to red anyway, but it sounds good. pre fader is good for silent sources. I don't have my service manual book here but i can send you a scanned version in mail if I will find it

[inchkii]

Thanks for the info man.I'll go post fader,I've just gotta find the time to do it.
I was trying to download a manual but no luck yet....would appreciate one if you find yours.After coming off the fader out how did you connect to the cascade? Did you disconnect all the existing wires off the cascades?On the cascade out 8 pin din,does each pin take out each channel and could i use just the cascade out into 8 jacks?Sorry for all the questions but i'm a bit of a dummy...never done anything on this scale before,but really wanna get it happening.Thanks so much...

[dlmorley]

I got a new MXP210 for €100 shipped. Great desk apart from the lack of inserts/ direct outs..and mutes on mine.
People overlook these sony's....luckily! Bargains.

[noiselab]

Originally Posted by inchkii

Thanks for the info man.I'll go post fader,I've just gotta find the time to do it.
I was trying to download a manual but no luck yet....would appreciate one if you find yours.After coming off the fader out how did you connect to the cascade? Did you disconnect all the existing wires off the cascades?On the cascade out 8 pin din,does each pin take out each channel and could i use just the cascade out into 8 jacks?Sorry for all the questions but i'm a bit of a dummy...never done anything on this scale before,but really wanna get it happening.Thanks so much...

I have found the scanned manual finally(around 11mb) so please send me a PM with your email address.
You need to disconnect the existing cascade connections, on the 8pin tuchels I selected the middle pin as a common ground, and you can remove the post fader signal from CN103 on the HA1 boards as I remember. I'm a DIY guy also My friend bought the later MXP210 and MXP29 models, but some parts are cheaper in those mixers, even the MXP21 has 2 versions, where the later model has cheaper, less quality pots. In the MXP210/MXP29 models you can also use the existing DB9/DB15 connectors for direct outs.

[inchkii]

Originally Posted by noiselab

I have found the scanned manual finally(around 11mb) so please send me a PM with your email address.
You need to disconnect the existing cascade connections, on the 8pin tuchels I selected the middle pin as a common ground, and you can remove the post fader signal from CN103 on the HA1 boards as I remember. I'm a DIY guy also My friend bought the later MXP210 and MXP29 models, but some parts are cheaper in those mixers, even the MXP21 has 2 versions, where the later model has cheaper, less quality pots. In the MXP210/MXP29 models you can also use the existing DB9/DB15 connectors for direct outs.

Thanks for the service manual.
I'm having a look at the Ha1 boards and found the CN103.What color wire is the post fader?
cheers...

[noiselab]

Originally Posted by inchkii

Thanks for the service manual.
I'm having a look at the Ha1 boards and found the CN103.What color wire is the post fader?
cheers...

You need to connect new cables (or reuse the existing ones) between CN103 pins 1-ground and 3-signal. This will send the signal pre-fader. (you will have gain+eq) For post fader connect the ground to CN103 pin1, and the signal to the negative pin of the cap C137. Hope that helps.

[inchkii]

I've finished wiring up post fader and put it all back together.I used shielded cable and used the shield for the ground.A friend suggested I put rca plugs out the side(not enough room for 1/4 inch) rather than use the cascade,so I drilled holes and put the rca plugs in.Ive got plenty of signal coming through,but also heaps of noise.Would going pre fader be less noisy you think?I noticed on one of your earlier posts you said you put a permalloy/copper sandwitch panel around the trafo inside.What is a trafo?
Any suggestions would be muchly appreciated.Thanks for your help.

[noiselab]

Originally Posted by inchkii

I've finished wiring up post fader and put it all back together.I used shielded cable and used the shield for the ground.A friend suggested I put rca plugs out the side(not enough room for 1/4 inch) rather than use the cascade,so I drilled holes and put the rca plugs in.Ive got plenty of signal coming through,but also heaps of noise.Would going pre fader be less noisy you think?I noticed on one of your earlier posts you said you put a permalloy/copper sandwitch panel around the trafo inside.What is a trafo?
Any suggestions would be muchly appreciated.Thanks for your help.

Sorry, I don't know what causes the noise in your unit, you need to test it with a scope/multimeter/cap tester unit. The "trafo" is the big mains transformer, which converts the incoming 220/110V to 12V DC. The DC-DC converter near the faders can generate some noise if the caps are dead/leaking.

[sears]

I want to report that I followed Noiselab's lead and modded my MX-P21 for direct outs, using the Cascade jacks as the interface. I didn't put any extra shielding around the power supply and it's low noise. I twisted the lead + ground from each board. Do you think that helped?

The HA-2 boards, channels 7 and 8, take their post-fader signal from C222 negative.

As you can tell, I'm not a tech. With patience and a pin vise, this task is doable.