eq
Junior Member
Posts: 83
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Post by eq on Feb 11, 2023 17:43:11 GMT -6
Very cool! I'm excited for you. Just curious...do they recommend a burn-in period? They didn't mention one... It has input transformers, but I don't think I've heard of a need to burn those in? Congrats ! I am following the Alice 828 and Integra 8 threads very closely once you’re up and running please post any comparisons/opinions on the 828’s eq . Thank |
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Post by jacobamerritt on Feb 13, 2023 18:24:43 GMT -6
So a wrinkle in my Alice journey - Used in a session, everything sounds great. Love the EQs. However... Within a few hours, the LEDs thAT indicate the EQ is active when you press the engage button started fading and dying... Really weird and annoying. Everything else seems to be just fine and the EQs still worked... Alice Audio replied quickly (after hours UK time) and stayed in touch through the session to try to trouble shoot. They were on soak test for 72 hours and re-tested before being packed ready for shipping, no problems! After learning of my issue, they've had LEDs from the same batch in their workshop running in the same console design as mine for 24 hours now to try to replicate, with no issues. I opened up the back and everything seems in proper order, no loose connections, etc. Now the dilemma is - do I ship it back to the UK for a repair? Hoping someone else has had something like this happen and its an easy solution. Just disappointing and a lot of effort for some LEDs. My paranoia (and ignorance) has me concerned it might be a symptom of a larger issue I'm not savvy enough to perceive. Thoughts? VIDEO HERE of the flickering.... |
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Post by wiz on Feb 13, 2023 18:41:21 GMT -6
I would reseat the ribbon cables... is it just one channel? or all?
If its one channel... I would try moving a ribbon cable connector from a working channel to the one that isn't and see if its a connector issue...
If its just one channel.. and it can't be resolved I would ship that one back... if its more than one channel... you have a bigger problem...(Power supply?) and might be best to send it all back.
what did they ask you to test?
do they have a schematic available?
cheers
Wiz
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Post by jacobamerritt on Feb 13, 2023 18:57:37 GMT -6
I would reseat the ribbon cables... is it just one channel? or all? what did they ask you to test? do they have a schematic available? cheers Wiz Started as just a few, now I am down to one... That video shows one flickering sporadically and then dying... postimg.cc/zbnF5CWX (Click for larger view)  |
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Post by plinker on Feb 13, 2023 19:30:26 GMT -6
Aw, man, that really stinks!
I've dealt with this before and believe that you have a cold solder joint on the LED. That is a simple problem with a simple fix -- reheat/reflow the solder joint. Also, reflow everything on that board that looks suspect (just to be sure).
I'm a bit surprised that they haven't suggested this since it's an easy "first try".
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Post by plinker on Feb 13, 2023 19:31:45 GMT -6
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Post by jacobamerritt on Feb 13, 2023 20:06:27 GMT -6
Aw, man, that really stinks! I've dealt with this before and believe that you have a cold solder joint on the LED. That is a simple problem with a simple fix -- reheat/reflow the solder joint. Also, reflow everything on that board that looks suspect (just to be sure). I'm a bit surprised that they haven't suggested this since it's an easy "first try". I think they aren't suggesting that as the console is brand new, and had this happen on the first day of use... I get not asking a customer to start re-soldering. Also wouldn't a cold solder show itself during a 72 hour soak? Its happened on literally 7 of the 8 'EQ engaged' LEDs. All other LEDs for comp, phantom power etc are totally fine! Would a cold soldered LED work for a few hours or so and then just die? They shipped out 2 other consoles to international customers same day and those had no problems... I have a knack for bad luck with new audio gear. |
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,107 
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Post by ericn on Feb 13, 2023 20:58:39 GMT -6
Aw, man, that really stinks! I've dealt with this before and believe that you have a cold solder joint on the LED. That is a simple problem with a simple fix -- reheat/reflow the solder joint. Also, reflow everything on that board that looks suspect (just to be sure). I'm a bit surprised that they haven't suggested this since it's an easy "first try". I think they aren't suggesting that as the console is brand new, and had this happen on the first day of use... I get not asking a customer to start re-soldering. Also wouldn't a cold solder show itself during a 72 hour soak? Its happened on literally 7 of the 8 'EQ engaged' LEDs. All other LEDs for comp, phantom power etc are totally fine! Would a cold soldered LED work for a few hours or so and then just die? They shipped out 2 other consoles to international customers same day and those had no problems... I have a knack for bad luck with new audio gear. It could happen, but yeah 7 of 8 sounds doubtful, here is what I would do: see if you can find a local tech and if the guys at Alice will agree to at least have them diagnose the problem. My hunch is they will consider the fact that shipping it back to the UK and possibly back to you will eat any profit. If it’s bad LED’s or cold solder joints it should be reasonable for them, but I would also want them to run some tones and make sure there are no audio path issues. |
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Post by jacobamerritt on Feb 13, 2023 23:12:18 GMT -6
It could happen, but yeah 7 of 8 sounds doubtful, here is what I would do: see if you can find a local tech and if the guys at Alice will agree to at least have them diagnose the problem. My hunch is they will consider the fact that shipping it back to the UK and possibly back to you will eat any profit. If it’s bad LED’s or cold solder joints it should be reasonable for them, but I would also want them to run some tones and make sure there are no audio path issues. Yeah this is a good plan, its what I was headed towards... Already talking to a local tech about it a little. |
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Post by plinker on Feb 13, 2023 23:20:36 GMT -6
Aw, man, that really stinks! I've dealt with this before and believe that you have a cold solder joint on the LED. That is a simple problem with a simple fix -- reheat/reflow the solder joint. Also, reflow everything on that board that looks suspect (just to be sure). I'm a bit surprised that they haven't suggested this since it's an easy "first try". I think they aren't suggesting that as the console is brand new, and had this happen on the first day of use... I get not asking a customer to start re-soldering. Also wouldn't a cold solder show itself during a 72 hour soak? Its happened on literally 7 of the 8 'EQ engaged' LEDs. All other LEDs for comp, phantom power etc are totally fine! Would a cold soldered LED work for a few hours or so and then just die? They shipped out 2 other consoles to international customers same day and those had no problems... I have a knack for bad luck with new audio gear. I didn’t realize it was happening on so many channels. Sorry. I saw the video and assumed it was just that one. Weird! |
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Post by plinker on Mar 3, 2023 14:33:02 GMT -6
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Post by jacobamerritt on Mar 3, 2023 16:26:15 GMT -6
Phantom power also started being weird- 'active' light would stay on at about 50% normal brightness, even after phantom power was turned off... Sent it back to England, Ted Fletcher is personally investigating the issue. Just got to him yesterday. |
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Post by jacobamerritt on Mar 4, 2023 17:07:23 GMT -6
Update excerpt from Ted's latest email:
'The fault with the EQ in/out LEDs was caused by an incorrect resistor value being fitted following a change of LED type. I have fixed it and all is working correctly. I have reset the VU meters and carried out a full function test; the mixer is presently on test and is operating perfectly.'
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Post by thehightenor on Mar 4, 2023 18:57:33 GMT -6
Update excerpt from Ted's latest email: 'The fault with the EQ in/out LEDs was caused by an incorrect resistor value being fitted following a change of LED type. I have fixed it and all is working correctly. I have reset the VU meters and carried out a full function test; the mixer is presently on test and is operating perfectly.'You’ve been a bit unlucky. When you get it back it will work for the next 40 years without a single kick-up. |
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Post by the other mark williams on Mar 4, 2023 19:26:51 GMT -6
Thanks for keeping us in the loop - I’m still curious about these.
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Post by jacobamerritt on Mar 6, 2023 14:44:53 GMT -6
Update #2 from Ted (He personally wanted to assess the mixer as they had not had this problem with the LEDs before): I mentioned the Phantom light also didn't go off when it was disengaged. I have had the mixer on a further 24 hour soak test operating on US 110V power and it is behaving normally with no problems.The phantom power LED operates normally and correctly, it comes on when the phantom button is pressed. When the phantom is turned off, the LED reduces in brightness but does not go out immediately, this is normal, there is a residual charge in smoothing capacitors in each channel and this causes the phantom LED to glow slightly for up to a couple of minutes after it is switched off.-- So I can chalk that (non)issue up to my own ignorance  FWIW- The console itself sounds great. EQs are very useable. Maybe would wish for a little more juice on quiet sources, depending on the mic. It clipped a bit with a kick drum, but the mic didn't have a pad. All in all, well worth the money. 8 channels of transformer-input pres/EQ, 2 channels of compression, made in the UK from quality components, in a console format for under $3000 is a legit deal. Yes- the LED thing has been quite annoying, but someone has to have the random bad luck I guess! |
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Post by plinker on Mar 6, 2023 20:22:05 GMT -6
"So I can chalk that (non)issue up to my own ignorance" I disagree; you have a bunch of preamps. How many of them have phantom LED's that gradually reduce brightness over time? Add that to other, actual, performance problems...I would totally infer the same problems as you! Now, I think this is a cool board, and Ted is giving outstanding service on this -- but don't sell yourself short. |
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Post by jacobamerritt on Mar 7, 2023 0:32:44 GMT -6
"So I can chalk that (non)issue up to my own ignorance" I disagree; you have a bunch of preamps. How many of them have phantom LED's that gradually reduce brightness over time? Add that to other, actual, performance problems...I would totally infer the same problems as you! Now, I think this is a cool board, and Ted is giving outstanding service on this -- but don't sell yourself short. Haha thanks, and that's true on all accounts. |
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