we've been having this problem with the our patchbay. some points (particularly the ones that are directly next to each other, but from seperate modules) get an unneccessary amount of static. this only happens with our pre-amps and when we are using phantom.
unfortunately, this problem is totaly moody (it comes and goes) which makes it a pain the **** to test.
any advice?
also, are there some general maintenance techniques for cleaning these suckers?
thanks in advance,
arjun
unfortunately, this problem is totaly moody (it comes and goes) which makes it a pain the **** to test.
any advice?
also, are there some general maintenance techniques for cleaning these suckers?
thanks in advance,
arjun
SInce you are using phantom, you must have a balanced patch bay. Can I assume TRS rather than XLR? Or are you old school with the telephone plugs?
In any case, since the phantom is the thing, I suspect the ground connection - the sleeve in the TRS. Phantom relies on the shield as the ground return for the 48v supply. If that is not solid, then I don't doubt you get noise.
I would wet a Qtip with Deoxit and swab the jacks. I also use a wire brush in my Dremel for polishing the inside of 1/4" jacks. It is the small wire brush where the wires all stick straight out hte end - parallel to the shaft. Depending on the construction of the jack, I would decide to use that method or not. OK on metal sleeve bushing types, but not all plastic jacks will be happy with it.
In any case, since the phantom is the thing, I suspect the ground connection - the sleeve in the TRS. Phantom relies on the shield as the ground return for the 48v supply. If that is not solid, then I don't doubt you get noise.
I would wet a Qtip with Deoxit and swab the jacks. I also use a wire brush in my Dremel for polishing the inside of 1/4" jacks. It is the small wire brush where the wires all stick straight out hte end - parallel to the shaft. Depending on the construction of the jack, I would decide to use that method or not. OK on metal sleeve bushing types, but not all plastic jacks will be happy with it.
Hey Enzo,
Do you then use a vacuum cleaner attachment to suck out any stray bits of dirt?
I wonder if phantom is somehow leaking into other inputs? (just guessing)
...Steve
Do you then use a vacuum cleaner attachment to suck out any stray bits of dirt?
I wonder if phantom is somehow leaking into other inputs? (just guessing)
...Steve
If they are in fact jacks, pro audio outlets carry 'cleaning plugs', which are an essential accessory for removing oxidation etc. from your connectors.
dnsey said:
they are TRS jacks, so i guess that cleaning plug will pretty handy. does this clean the patch point or the actualy jack?
also our patchbay's face plate faces the ceiling, so my guess is that its a dirty problem (nobody really cleans the sucker)
but if the phantom is leaking to the other points, how would i go about fixing that?
Hi,
The cleaning plugs clean the sockets.
See
this company's range, for example.
There are also products available for cleaning the plugs, but I'd use ordinary metal polish.
As far as phantom power leakage goes, a check with a multimeter should sort out what's going on pretty easily🙂
The cleaning plugs clean the sockets.
See
this company's range, for example.
There are also products available for cleaning the plugs, but I'd use ordinary metal polish.
As far as phantom power leakage goes, a check with a multimeter should sort out what's going on pretty easily🙂
I sincerely doubt the phantom is leaking anywhere. It is only 48 volts tops and with no current behind it.
I use the Qtip to clean after the polishing, since I do the polishing first. Try just the Deoxit alone before you go to my brute force methods. An old Fender twin loves to be polished out, but a five year old bay probably is not corroded.
A cleaning plug sounds like a fine idea, but it will only clean what the plug touches, it will not help the normals in back. By patch point I assume you mean the normal contacts or shunt contacts - whatever we chose to call the things that close when the plug is removed.
I use the Qtip to clean after the polishing, since I do the polishing first. Try just the Deoxit alone before you go to my brute force methods. An old Fender twin loves to be polished out, but a five year old bay probably is not corroded.
A cleaning plug sounds like a fine idea, but it will only clean what the plug touches, it will not help the normals in back. By patch point I assume you mean the normal contacts or shunt contacts - whatever we chose to call the things that close when the plug is removed.
dnsey said:
Eeek! Metal polish is abrasive. Shiny jack plugs look nice but repeated polishing can reduce their diameter. Mostly, it seems to be best to leave the plugs alone and clean the sockets in the bay. It's good practice to give the plug a good backwards and forwards twist when you plug it in. However, as pointed out earlier, that won't do anything for the normalling.
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