Shadow Hills TECH INFO EXCHANGE

[George Necola]

Originally Posted by The MPCist

Yes, I know that. But which in/out is which, that's what I was talking about...

I go out with 20 channels of my converter into the shadowhills. to sum stereo signals properly you need to attach the first snake to the first input (the one full left.. view back of the unit), then leave one off, and connect the next snake to the 3rd.

so there is
1 plugged
2 open
3 plugged
4 open

does that make sense? I still don't know if I got your question right..

[Teletude]

Originally Posted by George Necola

I go out with 20 channels of my converter into the shadowhills. to sum stereo signals properly you need to attach the first snake to the first input (the one full left.. view back of the unit), then leave one off, and connect the next snake to the 3rd.

so there is
1 plugged
2 open
3 plugged
4 open

does that make sense? I still don't know if I got your question right..

That's interesting. The DB25's on my unit are labeled (from L to R) DAW 1-8, DAW 9-16, DAW 17-24, and DAW 25-32. So what you're saying is, you use inputs 1-8 and 17-24? Why do you skip 9-16?

Regarding the DB25 outputs, I believe the first three pairs correspond to speaker select A, B, & C. I'm only using two sets of speakers but this is working for me. The last pair is designed to go to your HP amp. Should be DA-88 standard wiring.

Regarding the bulbs; have they switched to LED's across the board? My Equinox is only a couple months old and I'm wondering it it uses LED's or incandescent bulbs. I suppose I could crack it open to find out. And does anybody know what the green eye meters are? I've never seen anything like them on another piece of gear.

Lastly, is it OK or recommended to leave it powered up all the time like older analog consoles?

[dpianomn]

I have a couple of issues with my Mastering Comp:

1) The PSU is extremely noisy--anyone else have this problem?

2) The metering is off by .5db in both discrete and opto with the exception of channel 2 opto (which is accurate). I don't wanna be a cowboy and end up breaking something, so what's the proper tool/method to adjust them?

Thanks!

[George Necola]

I dont know. I made the cabling for a customer, had a big gearlust and used the demo to make some mixes. i put in the cables until it worked. Must be a left right issue?

No clue about the bulps.

I switch everything off in my studio when its not used. Think green!

Originally Posted by Teletude

That's interesting. The DB25's on my unit are labeled (from L to R) DAW 1-8, DAW 9-16, DAW 17-24, and DAW 25-32. So what you're saying is, you use inputs 1-8 and 17-24? Why do you skip 9-16?

Regarding the DB25 outputs, I believe the first three pairs correspond to speaker select A, B, & C. I'm only using two sets of speakers but this is working for me. The last pair is designed to go to your HP amp. Should be DA-88 standard wiring.

Regarding the bulbs; have they switched to LED's across the board? My Equinox is only a couple months old and I'm wondering it it uses LED's or incandescent bulbs. I suppose I could crack it open to find out. And does anybody know what the green eye meters are? I've never seen anything like them on another piece of gear.

Lastly, is it OK or recommended to leave it powered up all the time like older analog consoles?

[George Necola]

Originally Posted by dpianomn

I have a couple of issues with my Mastering Comp:

1) The PSU is extremely noisy--anyone else have this problem?

2) The metering is off by .5db in both discrete and opto with the exception of channel 2 opto (which is accurate). I don't wanna be a cowboy and end up breaking something, so what's the proper tool/method to adjust them?

Thanks!

drop a mail to shadowhills!

[piotr]

Originally Posted by dpianomn

I have a couple of issues with my Mastering Comp:

1) The PSU is extremely noisy--anyone else have this problem?

2) The metering is off by .5db in both discrete and opto with the exception of channel 2 opto (which is accurate). I don't wanna be a cowboy and end up breaking something, so what's the proper tool/method to adjust them?

Thanks!

Hi,

What is the serial number of your unit?

The meter calibration is something you can do yourself. SH has a procedure for this you can follow. I have done it, and it's not that complicated, and it will take maybe 1/2 hour to complete.

The PSU, I was told that any noise you hear is acoustic. Meaning that the physical vibration of a transformer is producing the hum/noise. If you send it to SH they will fix it for you.

All Shadow Hills contact information is here.

p.

[dpianomn]

Hi Piotr!

Thanks for the response (and for creating this thread). My serial number is 0088.

I've emailed Peter, so I guess we'll see what he says about the PSU--I think I'd only send it out if I was going to be away for a week...I don't want to be without this comp for a single day .

Were you sent some sort of documentation concerning the meters?

Dave.

[dhiltonlittle]

my psu is a bit noisy but not too bad.

as far as adjusting the meters, there are 3 holes under them labeled o,d, and vu.

use a 2.0mm or so flat head and adjust. just make sure the unit has been on for awhile (30 minutes should be fine). also, be gentle as they can be very fragile!

[piotr]

Originally Posted by dpianomn

Hi Piotr!

Thanks for the response (and for creating this thread). My serial number is 0088.

I've emailed Peter, so I guess we'll see what he says about the PSU--I think I'd only send it out if I was going to be away for a week...I don't want to be without this comp for a single day .

Were you sent some sort of documentation concerning the meters?

Dave.

Dave,

Yes: I did get a file for calibration, but it is for the earlier units. Yours will have a different layout than mine, so you will need a different set of instructions. Call SH up and they will email you the information.

As to the PSU... if your situation permits that, having the PSU in a different room makes it all go away!
(I try to move anything that makes noise out of my mixing room... I literally cut a hole in the wall, and run wires to the room on the other side ;-) works like a charm - especially with a noisy computer fans etc.)

Good luck!
p.

[piotr]

Originally Posted by dhiltonlittle

my psu is a bit noisy but not too bad.

as far as adjusting the meters, there are 3 holes under them labeled o,d, and vu.

use a 2.0mm or so flat head and adjust. just make sure the unit has been on for awhile (30 minutes should be fine). also, be gentle as they can be very fragile!

Interesting to know. This must be something that was implemented to simplify the meter adjustments. My unit has only one hole in the front (under the meter), and adjusting that trim is only one of 15 (or so) steps... there ARE a lot pots in there! ;-)

Any chance you could post a photo or two and explain what does what (if you actually have done the adjustments or have concrete info)? If you do, mention the serial number so we could have an idea of which design revision we are talking about.

Thank you!

p.

[dhiltonlittle]

mine is serial #99. not sure how the earlier units work. i've talked with peter a great deal about the meters and have done a lot of adjustments in the past on mine. they seem to be holding really well lately. there are three very small holes underneath like i said labeled o (opto), d (discrete) and vu. after letting the comp warm up, it is as simple as setting each one to the 0 on the vu (while each is selected via the knob of course). it is also best to do the adjustments with hard bypass in and in stereo mode. not sure how yours would work if it is different then mine. i'd shoot peter an email or give him a call and see what the best way to adjust the earlier units is.

[Christer]

Just got the SH MC. Sounds amazing!

Got one problem with it though... There's something wrong with the "iron" setting on the left channel. There's barely sound and it's distorted. "Nickel" and "steel" sounds fine. All settings on the right channel are working as they should.

Anyone have the same problem? Any ideas on what could be the problem?

Chris

[RoundBadge]

I think you need to call SH

[Christer]

Thanx.

I will.

Hope I don't have to send it back for repairs...

Chris

[George Necola]

Originally Posted by Christer

Thanx.

I will.

Hope I don't have to send it back for repairs...

Chris

that's an OP amp problem.

open it, look at the small boards which are mounted on top of the motherboard. there must be 2 or 3 each side.

try to move em out and back in. that should solve it. if not, try to swap them from motherboard A to B (left right Channel).
if you still here the same, OP amp is gone.

[burrencrawler]

God this thread rules,
If i had read this only one day ago i might have not shipped my opto comp back to Golden Age in Sweden. When you engaged the comp a nasty crackling noise came from the unit, and a distorted sound, but when you put it into the desaturate mode, evertyhing was fine (*?*) I hope it wasnt something i may have been able to do myself like take the opamp out and put it back in again, I wish i saw this thread yesterday!!!! . I will keep close tabs and add it to my favourites now. Quentin

[piotr]

Originally Posted by burrencrawler

God this thread rules,
If i had read this only one day ago i might have not shipped my opto comp back to Golden Age in Sweden. When you engaged the comp a nasty crackling noise came from the unit, and a distorted sound, but when you put it into the desaturate mode, evertyhing was fine (*?*) I hope it wasnt something i may have been able to do myself like take the opamp out and put it back in again, I wish i saw this thread yesterday!!!! . I will keep close tabs and add it to my favourites now. Quentin

Hi Quentin,

Do you have the stereo Optograph or the 500 single channel version?
It sounds like you are located in Sweden, so shipping the unit to Shadow Hills for repair may be out of question, BUT you can always call SH. I know from experience that you will get useful, first-hand advice/information that way. So, before shipping the piece anywhere, a call might be a best bet.

Good luck!

p.

[Christer]

I am in contact with Peter, and we're sorting it out. Great customer service! He called me back 30 minutes after i mailed him. Might have to send the left motherboard back though. Tried to swap the op amps, but it still didn't work.

Christer

[Ognjan]

Originally Posted by George Necola

drop a mail to shadowhills!

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

I think you need to call SH

Originally Posted by Christer

Great customer service! He called me back 30 minutes after i mailed him.

Is there some sort of "secret handshake" that works for you, guys? I have both MC and the Equinox (bought through Vintage King, few years ago), and still cannot get any response from Shadow Hills...
When I got the Equinox, since there was no documentation of any kind, I "dropped a mail" to Peter regarding pin out - to hook it up properly... I'm still waiting for that response (of course, I tried Tascam wiring for INs and few combinations for CR section and made it work ).
In last 3 days, I've sent few mails on all three addresses found in this thread, asking about calibration procedure for MC ( sn# 019) and type of bulbs for PSU and some transformer indicators - also no reply...
Maybe support is not included for non-US customers?

[piotr]

Originally Posted by grooved

Is there some sort of "secret handshake" that works for you, guys? I have both MC and the Equinox (bought through Vintage King, few years ago), and still cannot get any response from Shadow Hills...
When I got the Equinox, since there was no documentation of any kind, I "dropped a mail" to Peter regarding pin out - to hook it up properly... I'm still waiting for that response (of course, I tried Tascam wiring for INs and few combinations for CR section and made it work ).
In last 3 days, I've sent few mails on all three addresses found in this thread, asking about calibration procedure for MC ( sn# 019) and type of bulbs for PSU and some transformer indicators - also no reply...
Maybe support is not included for non-US customers?

Hi Grooved,
My experience has been (and I am not saying this lightly) stellar as far as support/customer service goes. If I did not hear from Peter directly, then Stephanie got in touch with me very quickly.
Have you tried calling the number I posted earlier?
I am reasonably sure that if you call during the regular business hours, you will get your questions answered!
p.

[dhiltonlittle]

Originally Posted by grooved

Is there some sort of "secret handshake" that works for you, guys? I have both MC and the Equinox (bought through Vintage King, few years ago), and still cannot get any response from Shadow Hills...
When I got the Equinox, since there was no documentation of any kind, I "dropped a mail" to Peter regarding pin out - to hook it up properly... I'm still waiting for that response (of course, I tried Tascam wiring for INs and few combinations for CR section and made it work ).
In last 3 days, I've sent few mails on all three addresses found in this thread, asking about calibration procedure for MC ( sn# 019) and type of bulbs for PSU and some transformer indicators - also no reply...
Maybe support is not included for non-US customers?

weird. i've never had and issue getting in touch with him. if all else fails it may be worth a shot to contact vintage king and see if they can get you guys in touch.

[pan60]

i have never had a issue getting ahold of Peter or the guy from Vintage King?

[kmade]

there is amanual for the equinox Petwr emailed mine

[Teletude]

Originally Posted by kmade

there is amanual for the equinox Petwr emailed mine

Any chance of posting it for download? Mine did not come with a manual.

Thanks.

[piotr]

Here is a PDF version of the Shadow Hills Equinox Overiview.

p.


PS
Thanks Ken for sending me the file!

[Lexicondonn]

Wowzers! Gotta love the Davinich style manual huh? Cool! Not a lot there, but there are some good bits of info. Thanks

I did see that other post before I searched for it the other day but didn't find it. Anyway the pictures do give you a little look inside even though the hands are in the way.

Well from the stuff I have read I hope that there are no issues with my unit (the compressor I mean) or tech support should I need it.

I suppose that only Peter's team can fix these things? should the unit need repairs are there any service guys that are authorized to work on these units????


thanks for your time guys appreciate it.

[piotr]

Originally Posted by Lexicondonn

[...]Anyway the pictures do give you a little look inside even though the hands are in the way. [...]

Here are a couple of pictures WITHOUT hands ;-)

p.

[imacgreg]

Originally Posted by piotr

Here are a couple of pictures WITHOUT hands ;-)

p.

old revision... I think there's a picture of the current revision in the GUTZ thread in the geekslutz subforum.

[piotr]

Originally Posted by imacgreg

old revision... I think there's a picture of the current revision in the GUTZ thread in the geekslutz subforum.

It most certainly is ;-)

#003

This is a newer revision (posted in the GUTZ thread) by jdg:



p.

[Vathan]

Bumping this thread to try to find some help. I've tried writing to every email address for Shadow Hills, as well as a phone message, and not been able to speak to anyone.

I have a pair of the older style mono gamas and one of them has a dead bulb. These are the regular light bulbs that are permanently attached to the wires running from the PCB board on screw terminals. Does anyone know the part number for these from any of the suppliers?

I also heard of an upgrade to LEDs. Any ideas on what those part numbers might be.

Any help is appreciated.