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Ok, so I know nothing about fixing electronics. I mean, I can fix a computer if there's bad parts and stuff, and i'm good with computers, but I don't know anything about soldering or wires or power supply's or anything.

I want to fix my old soundcraft 1s mixer, but no one has been able to tell me how. I don't know how to diagnose it or anything and I don't know anything about electronics. I went to a bunch of DIY audio forums, but no one could help me out.

Can anyone help me out?

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vinniesrs Fri, 11/26/2004 - 05:15

fixing stuff?

I'm a diy fix it all guy. I fix my house, my car, motorcycle, electronics, computer, you name it I can fix it. I never pay anyone to fix anything.

B U T ! ! !

It hasn't always been this way!
I have never been able to fix anything if I didn't understand how it works!

If I were you I would first research how electronic components work, why they are built the way they are, and what they do to the electronic information they get.

Once you have a basic understanding of voltage, resistance, amperes, impedance, reactance, capacitance, inductance and component characteristics such as capacitors, resistors, diodes, transformers, relays, solenoids, etc., you can then start to diagnose and fix your electronic woes. You will also need to know how to use a multi-meter, and probably an oscilloscope.

I don't want to sound discouraging, but it may be a while before you thoroughly understand all of these things.
I encourage you to learn as much as you can, and to fix things on your own, but in the meantime you may just have to pay a pro to do the work.
If you have a specific problem, post it. We would all love to help.

good luck

ghellquist Sun, 11/28/2004 - 04:07

Hmm. It could be easier to help if you say what the problem is.

Anyway, there are some obvious points to start. Some errors sort of seems to be more common and more easily diagnosed than others.

For example if the sliders are "scratchy" and do not send any signal at some points, well then you what is wrong. Next question is how to fix it. Sometimes a bit of cleaning and lubrication can help. Sometimes you will simply exchange the sliders. Not extremely difficult to do, but you need a bit of hands-on experience with soldering.

Basically you work that way. Start by guessing what is wrong, then find out how to fix it. After being at this kind of work a while, you sort of make a mental map of things to check out for. I always check for power supply voltages first. Those critters seems to be a common culprit in creating problems.

Another point to start is to find a few DIY kits and build them yourself. They need not be very complicated, but will help you in understanding things, and in getting the handicraft in place without ruining expensive things.

Good luck

Gunnar.

JoeH Mon, 11/29/2004 - 12:38

I think you're brave and inquisitive to want to try to fix it yourself, but it's probably going to involve a more complex journey (mentally) than just "Fix this, change that" advice from someone.

As an analogy, consider that when people ask for tech support on a computer, the "easy" way out is to say: Go here, click this, delete that, etc. The REAL solution is to teach people what is going on, why the "bad stuff" is happening, and work towards conceptual solutions, and deductive reasoning....applying logical explanations to why something is happening (or ISN'T happening) so that they can solve the problem again the next time ON THEIR OWN. (Do you want to spoon feed all your relatives calling for geek advice on their computers, or do you want them to REALLY learn how they work and not have to call you the next time they lose a file?)

An experienced service tech may be able to help you (even over the phone), but of course that will probably cost you. So will shipping it out for repair somewhere. In the long run, so will LEARNING how to do it yourself. But a one-time 'lucky guess" fix on your mixer probably won't happen, you'll need good overall skills to fix that AS WELL AS other problems. Knowledge is cumulative, and repairs/troubleshooting are an intuitive blend of all your experience and skills combined.

I'm sorry to hear you're not having any luck with info about fixing this yourself. It sounds like the console you've got is old or outdated, which makes the knowledge base (online) a bit thin and tough to research. You have to decide if you want to learn a trade (or part of it) like trouble-shooting/tech repair to get this thing back online, or if you want to just operate a mixer. In which case, it may be just easier to get something newer and get back to working on music, etc.

Many folks on here are tweakers at heart (I know I am!), but with more and more miniaturization and board-swapable parts, it's often not worth the time & expense to dig too deep. I have one other place I'd recommend, email me about it and we'll talk.