Mixing Console FAQ

Q. How can I minimize console breakdowns?

A. The console & power supply should be installed in a well ventilated area with good air-conditioning. Keep the console & surrounding area clean & dust free; a small draftsman's brush or large paint brush comes in handy for day-to-day dusting. Occasionally vacuum out any dirty fans or fan filters (if present) on the power supply. Make sure the console has clear access from the back & underneath to allow repairs.



Q. I'm hearing random "static" when the stereo buss fader is up. What do I do?

A. You may have a noisy channel module. Try muting each channel one at a time and see if the noise stops. Also, make sure that you don't have any unused items (extra wires, adapters, outboard gear, etc.) connected to the stereo buss output. Also, see the next question/answer...

Q. Is it OK to use electronic light dimmers in the studio?

A. I wouldn't. Even good quality units can eventually create noise problems at some point. Variable transformers - such as those made by "Staco" or "Powerstat" - are preferred. An alternative would simply be to use different wattage bulbs with seperate switches. Try to have the recording gear & studio lighting each on different circuits in any case.

Q. I'm getting hum when I bring up the monitor pot and/or a channel fader. How can I get rid of it?

A. This often indicates improper grounding or shielding, especially between the console and tape machine. Take a look at the "links" section on my home page for more information on correct wiring & grounding techniques.

Q. I'm picking up "radio" on my mixer. How can I eliminate this?

A. Make sure there are no long lengths of audio cable coiled up behind equipment. Again, refer to the "links" section - poor grounding is an open invitation to this type of problem.

Q. What should I clean the faders in my console with?

A. That depends on what kind of faders your console has...if you have older higher quality faders like Penny & Giles, Audiofad, or a similar make, they can usually be disassembled & the conductive plastic elements carefully cleaned with distilled water & allowed to dry. If the fader is still noisy, you can apply a light coating of a good cleaner designed for conductive plastic, such as Caig "Cailube" to the element(s) & wipe off the excess with a clean soft cloth.

If they are economy faders like Alps, you can't really take them apart. You could try blowing them out with "canned" air & spraying in some Cailube, but usually it is cheaper & better to simply replace these.

Q. What should I clean the pots & switches with?

A. If the pots are of the "open" type design, you can spray a little cleaner directly into them. Caig's "De-oxit" is a very good all around cleaner for this. If the pots are sealed, your best option is replacement. Do NOT remove console modules with the power on.

I don't generally recommend cleaning switches in a console, because it makes a mess on the printed circuit boards & doesn't always work. Replacing them is probably a better idea. If soldering is not your thing, you might want to leave this to a technician.



Q. Should I leave my console on all the time, or power it down when I'm not using it?

A. Try to leave the console on at all times, even if you aren't using it that much. This helps keep the components in good shape, makes the electronics more stable, and is a lot easier on the power supply. Leaving the console on in the summer without running an air conditioner is a bad idea, though. Also, if you are going to cover the console when it's not in use, don't leave it powered up with the cover on.

Q. Speaking of power, do I need one of those power conditioners or a noise filter on the AC line that the mixer is plugged into?

A. Unless the noise filter is a very good one, it will be of dubious value. Sometimes a good power conditioner can be beneficial, especially if your line voltage varies significantly. If you are having a LOT of trouble with power (lights dimming, etc.), have a good electrician take a look at your AC service first.

Q. Someone told me to cut off the third grounding pin on the AC plug to stop hum...should I do this?

A. This is not only stupid, but downright dangerous. If there is an internal short, an expensive fire could occur in the console - not to mention your possible demise from an unplanned electrocution!