Out of Commission
Posted on 20. Sep, 2013 by Tim Bushong in News
UPDATE:
The 328—she lives! Thanks to Max DeHaven, Stanford-edumacated electrical engineer/designer from Middlebury, the power supply is back online. It’s way better than it was for the last few months, and everything is stellar-sounding, but we’re even gonna go in again and swap out all of the funky caps next month. He had contacted me via Facebook (one of the practical uses that it has), and so I drove it on up.
Thank you, Max!
Me and Max, with the 328 tucked in the back seat...
Original post: You would think that a simple power supply would be relatively easy to replace, right? No—not in the case of my trusty old Spirit Digital 328 console. These great little boards have one fatal flaw: A chintzy and yet complicated power supply. It has to do with the timed sequencing while powering on and off, and other highly technical aspects of running analog and digital together that I don’t know enough about to address competently, but the upshot is that she just won’t boot up anymore.
Everyone who owns one of these sweet babies has very similar views of it: “Love it! Sounds great! Intuitive workflow! Like an analog board!” And: “It’s 12 years old and it’s dying because of its cheesy power supply!” You can read similar comments here, and here, and here.
Why couldn't you be a simple PS like your other computer buddies?
I am able to record tracks via my collection of mic preamps, utilizing the analog inputs of the MOTU, and I’ve been mixing some other stuff “in-the-box” anyway, but right now the best option is to either have the old power supply repaired, or replace the entire board with an upgraded model- but for the same price. I did have a few hissy mic inputs, a dodgy insert or three, and totally unusable auxiliary inputs. If money were no object, I would maybe think about this one, but money is an object, so there. Anyone care to donate? Kidding…
Maybe the next Tim desk?
I am really used to having the ability to record up to 20 tracks simultaneously, and also having the other advantages of a tactile board right in front of me (like an instant “mono” button, the -20db switch, and quick “grab the faders” approach). Thanks to Jon Townsend for giving the ol’ college try by replacing some of the caps…
Here she is in action, literally on the last project to be mixed on her:
Look at the pretty lights!
Pro AudioUnit and VST plugins
So, what didMax do? I’m in the UK and have a failing 328. I used to leave it on for weeks. My mistake was turning it off, after which it can take over an hour to power up again (if at all). Sounds like caps, right?
Hi Phil-
Your issues sound exactly like mine. Max basically re-built the PS. I have his permission to give his email out, so I’ll send it privately.
Hi Tim,
Thanks for posting this information. My 328 has self-noise, not in the audio path, that may be related to the power supply.
If you would please send the contact information for Max, as perhaps he might be able to help.
thanks,
Mark
Hi Tim,
same problems with the psu. Is Max still building them? Can You send me his Email please?
Thanks for sharing!
Marc
Hi Tim, a friend has asked me to look at his faulty 328 and it sounds like yet another case of dodgy PSU. Before I dive in, any info you or, Max (if he is still agreeable) could provide would be very welcome. I’ve repaired SMPSs before but when working without a schematic, any tip or pointers are always handy to save time.
Thanks,
Vic
Hi Tim
My 328 is stuck in boot phase, and the 5V digital LED is not illuminated. I have taken it apart, and the PSU looks ok (no blown caps, the two status LEDs are lit inside etc). Still I suspect something in the PSU because of the 5V Digital LED being blank.
I would be really grateful if you could provide me a schematic, or at least the voltage outs for the PSU, so I could measure if I don’t have the required voltage on one or more of the pins.
Thank you very much!
Sincerely
Gabriel