Allen & Heath MixWizard WZ3:16:2 - anyone used these desks?

[Shroomz~>]

Sorted! Just checked it out with a dynamic mic & all the channels work except ch.2 which must have a fault somewhere. The mix, 4 groups & metering all appear to be working though, so I'm quite pleased now. Going to need to get some higher impedance headphones since these Ultrasones are 75 ohm & I need 200-600 ohm for using with this desk.

[garyb]

make sure the channel is well seated.

do the "on", "mute" and/or any other LEDs on that channel work? how about the send on the insert? if it's just no sound, replace the op amps. it's a pretty good chance r=that's the problem.

[Shroomz~>]

make sure the channel is well seated.

do the "on", "mute" and/or any other LEDs on that channel work? how about the send on the insert? if it's just no sound, replace the op amps. it's a pretty good chance r=that's the problem.

I've already tested it with an insert cable & signal going back through the insert return & the channel is definitely working fine beyond the insert return point. The next thing to check is the line input to see if it's maybe a problem in the mic pre or the mic pre's input connections. I can see this channel coming out soon.

[garyb]

dirty insert jack? there's a switch in the jack, that normalizes the connection when no cable is inserted. that's a pretty common issue for mixers in general...

[Shroomz~>]

I don't think it's a dirty contact in the insert jack because I've just had an aphex exciter inserted in ch.1 with a mic signal going out & back in no problem, but when I connect the mic & insert cable into ch.2, there's no signal going out to the aphex. Took the channel out & reseated it as well. I guess it could possibly be a faulty or dirty XLR socket, but I can't get to that without dismantling the whole mixer. I might need to get an extender cable for the channels ribbon connection before I can properly fault find it. There's not much length on the ribbon cable at all. It barely comes above the desk surface height.

[Shroomz~>]

Just tested the line input on the faulty channel & it's working fine. Input amp is working & EQ stage is working, so that narrows it down to an issue with the XLR mic input socket or the mic preamp itself. Getting there now.

[valis]

Glad you're making progress!

For comparison's sake, channel 14 on my board has a bad preamp, line-in works fine. No great loss, I haven't got a need for 16 pre's all at once. I know from the previous owner this was his fault for improperly wiring something, and has no audible effect on the rest of the channel strip. Since I have the full repair manual including all necessary schematics (1 for the channel(s), 1 for the bus/sends and 1 for the master section) when I decide to recondition the board I'll deal with it then. In fact I'll likely look at upgrading the transformers and caps if/when I recondition the board, assuming I don't get a Topaz or something else before then.

[Shroomz~>]

Same here Valis. 1 mic pre down is no immediate problem. I got a 200 series manual off the net, but don't have schematics yet. I'll get a couple of those TL072's though.

Btw, did you see what that UK-based Topaz board I linked to sold for? - £700 !! They're obviously sought after.

[garyb]

congrats on the progress, Shroomz~>. it seems you did well for yourself. there isn't much to the pre itself. you could just shotgun it.