Hi, please be kind, it's my first post.
So i need to replace a potentiometer that's been crackling in a joe meek, twin q preamp. I've pulled it out, the manufacturer is alpha, printed on it is '10c5k' and stamped on the back is '7g2' What confuses me most is the 'c'. I have deduced it refers to the resistance taper. looking at the manufacturers taper specs it appears that taper type 'c' is a reverse audio taper. On the preamp it acts like a regular audio taper, hard left is 0 hard right is 100. why is this? I was hoping to replace it with a linear type 'b', as i prefer the feel of linear for my gain knobs, but will this make it backwards?
Thanks for reading through all that, your time and advice is really appreciated
So i need to replace a potentiometer that's been crackling in a joe meek, twin q preamp. I've pulled it out, the manufacturer is alpha, printed on it is '10c5k' and stamped on the back is '7g2' What confuses me most is the 'c'. I have deduced it refers to the resistance taper. looking at the manufacturers taper specs it appears that taper type 'c' is a reverse audio taper. On the preamp it acts like a regular audio taper, hard left is 0 hard right is 100. why is this? I was hoping to replace it with a linear type 'b', as i prefer the feel of linear for my gain knobs, but will this make it backwards?
Thanks for reading through all that, your time and advice is really appreciated
I'm not sure why they would have used reverse taper, I mostly see those in balance controls. But someone may step in with the answer.
A linear pot will not give you a linear feel, quite to opposite. That's what the log curve pots are all about. But a linear will work, for sure.
A linear pot will not give you a linear feel, quite to opposite. That's what the log curve pots are all about. But a linear will work, for sure.
It is most likely in a feedback circuit, so the action is reversed. You probably do not need to replace the pot, use a chemical like De-Oxit on it. If it actually has a burned spot then you should look for DC on the pot wiper, most likely from a leaking electrolytic capacitor.
Thanks simon, i figured it was something like that.
Now i'm more confused as to why a linear pot wouldn't give me a linear feel. i want it to act like, hard left 0% middle 50% and hard right 100%. at the moment its like hard left 0% middle about 30% hard right 100%
Now i'm more confused as to why a linear pot wouldn't give me a linear feel. i want it to act like, hard left 0% middle 50% and hard right 100%. at the moment its like hard left 0% middle about 30% hard right 100%
The reason is that Audio isn't linear, it's logarithmic. To gain 3 db you must double your power. Personally i have replaced some faders on a mixer with log pot and found that I didn't like the way they performed so I switched to the linear pot. On something like a preamp, where you aren't adjusting that much I don't think it will change how you use it much either way.
ok, i think i understand. so is there any way i can make it "feel" linear. like 3=30% 8=80% ? at the moment i have very little precise control after about 70%. even very small adjustments on the knob, make huge adjustments to the sound.
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