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Hi gang,

I thought it would be fun and instructive to share our latest optimizations in all aspect of our studio.

Here's my latest realization :
For years, I've been using a Behringer headphones amps and with the limited outputs of my audio outputs interface, it was a fair match but those 4 mono AUX inputs always bugged me. For years I had mono headphone mixes, not a big deal since I can't remember one customer who complained about it.

Last night I had free time in the studio and was checking up my setup and I realized I wasn't using digital outputs much. I use a FF800 that has a headphone output with a Saffire 56 in standalone mode that has 2 headphone outputs. So get this, to make use of the 56's outputs, I used the ADAT out from the FF800 to the input of the 56 and created 2 mixes in Totalmix and in Mixcontrol. So I now have a routing that puts to use those 2 headphone jacks of the 56.. I then redone the soldering in my panel to have a pair of stereo headphones for the musician. Also, I just realize I could use my S/PDIF output to send to my home theatre amp and have another headphone mix.. So I now have 4 mono and 4 stereo headphone mixes. All that without spending a dime ! I just needed to re-think my signal flow !

Now what's your latest optimizations ?

Comments

kmetal Fri, 01/22/2016 - 22:37

Guelph_Guy, post: 435637, member: 47293 wrote: All kidding aside make sure it doesn't happen as when you try to remove the solder from you foot after it has cooled, the skin goes with it

Duly noted. I've failed numerous times at soldering, successful once or twice, so I have felt the burn. I attribute my failure to not having the right tools like a helping hand, correct solder, and flux (super newbie) so hopefully attempts 15 and up go well. I did manage a sucessful 1/4" and xlr cable at my buddy's, but I'm far better equiped now.

I will make sure I wear my work boots, wich are the tan leather type. I'll look into some gloves that might help protect me while maintaining dexterity.

Thanks for the advice! Hope your toys are still treating you well.

pcrecord Sat, 01/23/2016 - 05:14

If you are so afraid of getting burned, something like this could be an option :

Nah, Seriously, have something to hold in place what you are soldering so 2 hands are enough to work and something to hold the iron when you prepare the parts.
Most accidents happen when we try to hold 2 or 3 things together and when the iron slip from the table and we try to catch it.
When in trouble and not having the tools, I put the solder tube in my mouth and extend the solder toward the parts. Not a good way but I don't burn myself trying to hold too many things with my hands. I just hope nobody catches me doing this and puts me on youtube ! :D

kmetal Sat, 01/23/2016 - 15:21

pcrecord, post: 435643, member: 46460 wrote: If you are so afraid of getting burned, something like this could be an option :

Nah, Seriously, have something to hold in place what you are soldering so 2 hands are enough to work and something to hold the iron when you prepare the parts.
Most accidents happen when we try to hold 2 or 3 things together and when the iron slip from the table and we try to catch it.
When in trouble and not having the tools, I put the solder tube in my mouth and extend the solder toward the parts. Not a good way but I don't burn myself trying to hold too many things with my hands. I just hope nobody catches me doing this and puts me on youtube ! :D

That sure sounds like viral video material to me! LOL on my buying for soldering stuff I actually bought one of those battery-powered soldering things, not sure if it really works well but for seven dollars it was worth a try.

kmetal Sun, 01/24/2016 - 19:38

Guelph_Guy, post: 435653, member: 47293 wrote: I know for amfew bucks you can get a gadget that looks like a vice with 2 flex arms on it with alligator clips. I don't own one but I sure curse when I need one lol

Already bought 2 during the buying binge lol. One has a magnifying glass. They're called a 'helping hand'. Super cheap on Amazon. One of my co workers swears by lead solder only, but I'll stick with the less poisonous stuff!

Guelph_Guy Sun, 01/24/2016 - 22:59

Wow, got me beat there, Well, I'll be cranking up the iron soon enough ,,just waiting for my backlights for the A50 to show up from Hong Kong, apparently the same backlight is used on the Kory T1 , the wavestation ex and the Roland A50.. So I bought 6 of them 3 in green and 3 in blue. My Korgs are shot too...

Going to have a Keyboard repair Marathon here...

Anyhow back on topic My latest success was setting up a DAW with Studio one 3 pro and have started the deep dive.
...

kmetal Mon, 01/25/2016 - 11:53

Guelph_Guy, post: 435691, member: 47293 wrote: Wow, got me beat there, Well, I'll be cranking up the iron soon enough ,,just waiting for my backlights for the A50 to show up from Hong Kong, apparently the same backlight is used on the Kory T1 , the wavestation ex and the Roland A50.. So I bought 6 of them 3 in green and 3 in blue. My Korgs are shot too...

Going to have a Keyboard repair Marathon here...

Anyhow back on topic My latest success was setting up a DAW with Studio one 3 pro and have started the deep dive.
...

That's pretty cool they all used the same part!!!! It'd be great to see a couple of snapshots of you happen to have a camera around.

A new Daw is always an intriguing and frightening experience. I've heard a lot of good things about studio one. Best of luck!

Guelph_Guy Mon, 01/25/2016 - 14:07

I'll take some snaps as I move forward, I'm sure there are a ton of legacy keyboards that need new backlights. All of my Korgs need backlight replacement. 2 t-1s and a wavestation EX ... Personally the backlight replacement itself is pretty easy .. it's ripping the keyboard apart that takes all the time... I pulled the whole LCD display board out of the Roland A-50 which took about 30 minutes. it took about 5 minutes to unsolder the dead backlight and remove it.

So "I be waiting" for a package in the mail ...(sounds like a good title to a blues song to me)

"I be waiting for my backlight..."

kmetal Tue, 01/26/2016 - 12:51

Guelph_Guy, post: 435729, member: 47293 wrote: I'll take some snaps as I move forward, I'm sure there are a ton of legacy keyboards that need new backlights. All of my Korgs need backlight replacement. 2 t-1s and a wavestation EX ... Personally the backlight replacement itself is pretty easy .. it's ripping the keyboard apart that takes all the time... I pulled the whole LCD display board out of the Roland A-50 which took about 30 minutes. it took about 5 minutes to unsolder the dead backlight and remove it.

So "I be waiting" for a package in the mail ...(sounds like a good title to a blues song to me)

"I be waiting for my backlight..."

Sounds just like headlights for a car, 30 sec to swap, but your lucky if you don't have to take the motor out to get to them!!!

Guelph_Guy Tue, 01/26/2016 - 13:20

Oh done that all ready , there was a Chevy with a 305 in it , to get at the rear sparkplug because they were UNDER the exhaust manifold you had to remove the tire, remove the inner fender well... get a bunch of extensions for your socket set like 20" worth and go at it ..

Hated changing plugs after that...