Author Topic: CUTs flickering on and off  (Read 7812 times)

StefanNowak

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CUTs flickering on and off
« on: August 07, 2012, 09:51:31 AM »
This started happening this afternoon on a few channels.. any thoughts? It would involve the computer right?

Stef.

sintech

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Re: CUTs flickering on and off
« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2012, 10:57:34 AM »
Is it just on a single bank of eight channels?

Guessing if they flicker on, the channel must be seeing at least 7.5v to the 013 VCA cards computer return. so I doubt it's a loose  ribbon, that would be more like random volume jumps.

it works something like this:

0v = +10db

+5v = fader fully down

+7.5-10v = Fader down and cut

hehe, so when the computer crashes.. every fader goes to +10! ouch
« Last Edit: August 07, 2012, 11:00:18 AM by sintech »

StefanNowak

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Re: CUTs flickering on and off
« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2012, 11:01:36 AM »
Not entire banks.. just the odd channel here and there.. I think 5, 10, 44...

We really need to get the cables shortened I think!

Stef.

StefanNowak

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Re: CUTs flickering on and off
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2012, 10:43:49 AM »
Wow what a day.

Mutes were going crazy, it seems to happen once the computer has warmed up.

I think I've lost 5 years off my life today!!

Stef.

sintech

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Re: CUTs flickering on and off
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2012, 11:20:22 AM »
If it was a single bank, you would suspect cabling.. but it looks like a global problem in the computer.

In the five years running with a computer.. it didn't fail once., the down side being I didn't learn much about them!

It's well worth having a set of computer bypass leads handy, you can swap them in five minutes, and it will keep a session going.

Very simple leads:


StefanNowak

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Re: CUTs flickering on and off
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2012, 11:24:39 AM »
Yep!

I have 3 of them here, I might connect them up so at least I have 24 channels or so tomorrow.

Do MUTEs function with the bypass connected?

Stef.


sintech

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Re: CUTs flickering on and off
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2012, 12:18:27 PM »
Cuts, solo's and faders as normal, interacting with the rest of the console. The computer has no way of communicating to the bypassed banks of eight.

StefanNowak

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Re: CUTs flickering on and off
« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2012, 12:27:15 PM »
Great, I'm going to bypass the whole console until we get the computer sorted out. Too many headaches as there are problems across the whole console.. Great to know MUTES, SOLOS will still work. Howabout VCA groups?

Stef.


sintech

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Re: CUTs flickering on and off
« Reply #8 on: August 08, 2012, 01:16:28 PM »
VCA groups are also as normal. Basically, it's exactly like the computer connected, but idling with no mix set up.

The computer is then acting as a big bypass lead, just relaying back the incoming control voltage.

 

StefanNowak

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Re: CUTs flickering on and off
« Reply #9 on: August 08, 2012, 01:28:41 PM »
VCA groups are also as normal. Basically, it's exactly like the computer connected, but idling with no mix set up.

The computer is then acting as a big bypass lead, just relaying back the incoming control voltage.

 

OK, I must be missing something here... I would assume the computer wouldn't even need powering up if the entire console is bypassed? Or is there something still coming to and from the keyboard ribbon?

Thanks for the info mate, I really appreciate it.

Stef.

sintech

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Re: CUTs flickering on and off
« Reply #10 on: August 08, 2012, 01:43:05 PM »
You need one bypass lead for each bucket, and one for the VCA groups.

When in place, you can power down the computer, and the console will function as normal, Solo, Cuts, VCA groups, master Fader.


StefanNowak

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Re: CUTs flickering on and off
« Reply #11 on: August 08, 2012, 01:47:00 PM »
Sweet, as I thought.

Tomorrow I will place the 3 bypasses in and only power up the 3 buckets and run as a 24 channel console just to get me through tomorrows sessions.

Stef.

sintech

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Re: CUTs flickering on and off
« Reply #12 on: August 08, 2012, 01:59:20 PM »
If you don't have one also for the VCA groups, you'll need to keep the computer on, or patch over the master fader.

Showcase

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Re: CUTs flickering on and off
« Reply #13 on: August 08, 2012, 02:19:32 PM »
Sweet, as I thought.

Tomorrow I will place the 3 bypasses in and only power up the 3 buckets and run as a 24 channel console just to get me through tomorrows sessions.

Stef.


"There is an alternative method of bypassing the computer if the link between
the computer and the entire console fails. This requires two short 50-way link
cables and two short 20-way link cables. Open up the rear of the computer, and
hinge down the back panel. Remove the cabling from the Analogue Input and
Analogue Output Cards (see page 32) and replace them with the two pairs of
link cables as shown in the lower diagram opposite. Be sure to link the correct
pairs of connectors !"

from this page http://www.peterduncan.com/frames/computerconfiguration.pdf

This is what I do, everything work as excpected :)

You dont need to replace anything, just unplug the 50 way analog input cable from the card, disconnect the analog output cable from the backpanel and put it in analog in... you get it :)
« Last Edit: August 08, 2012, 02:24:33 PM by Showcase »

StefanNowak

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Re: CUTs flickering on and off
« Reply #14 on: August 08, 2012, 02:20:49 PM »
Been reading that exact PDF! it's been somewhat of a bible over the last month or so!

Stef.