One channel on my Balance now contains some quite audible distortion. Could possibly be the jack socket so I'm planning on taking it apart and giving it a bit of a spring clean and TLC. I wonder if anyone on here has taken one apart and if so any tips etc would be useful?
Failing that what should I get to replace it???
Cheers
Aiden
Anyone taken a Balance apart?
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Distortion? Is it intermittent, like pops and crackles?Palmeira wrote: ↑29 May 2018One channel on my Balance now contains some quite audible distortion. Could possibly be the jack socket so I'm planning on taking it apart and giving it a bit of a spring clean and TLC. I wonder if anyone on here has taken one apart and if so any tips etc would be useful?
Failing that what should I get to replace it???
Cheers
Aiden
If you have pretty constant distortion then it is almost definitely NOT the jack. I’d say that it’s one of the opamps or perhaps the buffer circuit that allows the output to see a (mostly) constant impedance.
You may need a more comprehensive repair.
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SAMPLERS: Akai MPC 2000, E-mu SP1200, E-Mu e5000Ultra, Ensoniq EPS 16+, Akai S950, Maschine
SYNTHS: Mostly classic Polysynths and more modern Monosynths. All are mostly food for my samplers!
www.soundcloud.com/jimmyklane
Cheers, it seems to happens with anything containing enthusiastic bass. So a Kick drum for example will contain the distortion for the duration of the sound and sounds a little like a blown speaker - I thought initially I'd blown a tweeter but have whittled it down to a single channel of the Balance. Thinking about it you're almost certainly right about it not being the jack but at this point I don't really have anything to lose so I'll probably take it apart anyway and give it a clean and a bit of wd40. No luck and it's plan B which would be a pity as I've grown quite fond of the little guy!
Focusrite Scarlet 6i6Palmeira wrote: ↑29 May 2018One channel on my Balance now contains some quite audible distortion. Could possibly be the jack socket so I'm planning on taking it apart and giving it a bit of a spring clean and TLC. I wonder if anyone on here has taken one apart and if so any tips etc would be useful?
Failing that what should I get to replace it???
Cheers
Aiden
Cheers, been out a couple of years now but will definitely be having a look at these.jlgrimes wrote: ↑29 May 2018Focusrite Scarlet 6i6Palmeira wrote: ↑29 May 2018One channel on my Balance now contains some quite audible distortion. Could possibly be the jack socket so I'm planning on taking it apart and giving it a bit of a spring clean and TLC. I wonder if anyone on here has taken one apart and if so any tips etc would be useful?
Failing that what should I get to replace it???
Cheers
Aiden
I've had bad / half shorted cables exhibit this behavior. Swap your cables before doing anything drastic. I would not suggest wd40, that will leave a residue and can make contacts worse over the long term. I swear by Caig Labs DeOxit for cleaning electronics.Palmeira wrote: ↑29 May 2018Cheers, it seems to happens with anything containing enthusiastic bass. So a Kick drum for example will contain the distortion for the duration of the sound and sounds a little like a blown speaker - I thought initially I'd blown a tweeter but have whittled it down to a single channel of the Balance. Thinking about it you're almost certainly right about it not being the jack but at this point I don't really have anything to lose so I'll probably take it apart anyway and give it a clean and a bit of wd40. No luck and it's plan B which would be a pity as I've grown quite fond of the little guy!
Had brand new cables 2 days ago and tested them and they are good (unfortunately).rcbuse wrote: ↑30 May 2018I've had bad / half shorted cables exhibit this behavior. Swap your cables before doing anything drastic. I would not suggest wd40, that will leave a residue and can make contacts worse over the long term. I swear by Caig Labs DeOxit for cleaning electronics.Palmeira wrote: ↑29 May 2018Cheers, it seems to happens with anything containing enthusiastic bass. So a Kick drum for example will contain the distortion for the duration of the sound and sounds a little like a blown speaker - I thought initially I'd blown a tweeter but have whittled it down to a single channel of the Balance. Thinking about it you're almost certainly right about it not being the jack but at this point I don't really have anything to lose so I'll probably take it apart anyway and give it a clean and a bit of wd40. No luck and it's plan B which would be a pity as I've grown quite fond of the little guy!
Hi. Have Balance very long time.
In last months have few problems with Balance.
A) Work with it more than 4 hours. In Reason, any DAW, macOS to listen Spotify, etc.. In 4 hours outputs (monitors/headphones) add distorted sound.. If nothing to do, in 15-20 minutes sound going to absolutely bzzz-talks rhythms =) Reconnect Balance and can work around new 2-3 hours..
B) Guitar/Mic inputs - only Right channels if press PAD - going to bignoise click-jump, and have background sounds. Left work nice.
C) When try to record anything from time to time on small level of input (like long reverb decays) from ext inputs - have additional low-sounds.
Dont know what is going on, but think that time of Balance is going out. Later I try to open Balance and ceck whats going on.
But need to say that now I look to Apogee Element series + adat 8in/out (smaller latency), better preamps, cleanest headphones output, cool converters.
Problem not in cables, Balance have problems with any cables, jacks.
As topicstarter, need to say that have problem of Right input channels with distortions too..
Its started in few months and it sad. Love Balance.
In last months have few problems with Balance.
A) Work with it more than 4 hours. In Reason, any DAW, macOS to listen Spotify, etc.. In 4 hours outputs (monitors/headphones) add distorted sound.. If nothing to do, in 15-20 minutes sound going to absolutely bzzz-talks rhythms =) Reconnect Balance and can work around new 2-3 hours..
B) Guitar/Mic inputs - only Right channels if press PAD - going to bignoise click-jump, and have background sounds. Left work nice.
C) When try to record anything from time to time on small level of input (like long reverb decays) from ext inputs - have additional low-sounds.
Dont know what is going on, but think that time of Balance is going out. Later I try to open Balance and ceck whats going on.
But need to say that now I look to Apogee Element series + adat 8in/out (smaller latency), better preamps, cleanest headphones output, cool converters.
Problem not in cables, Balance have problems with any cables, jacks.
As topicstarter, need to say that have problem of Right input channels with distortions too..
Its started in few months and it sad. Love Balance.
All sorted. Took the bottom off, cleaned it up (although it wasn't really that dusty inside) and gave it a little WD40 inside the jack socket and under the PCB. And...it's back to normal. Phew. Can't guarantee that the same will work for anyone else but if you do feel the need to take one apart there are 2 screws under the sticker with the serial number on, 3 screws under the thin strip of black rubber at the bottom (of the bottom) and 5 screws under the larger piece of black rubber. I didn't actually get any further than taking the bottom off as the pots that go through the front of the cover for the out level, headphones and the 2 input levels are bolted to the front of the unit and I didn't have the right tool to undo them.
Turn2On - it sounds like yours may be further down the line than mine so it may be time to admit defeat! I was looking enviously at the UAD Apollo and maybe the new USB Focusrite Clarett but am relieved to be saving some money for now!
Cheers
Aiden
Turn2On - it sounds like yours may be further down the line than mine so it may be time to admit defeat! I was looking enviously at the UAD Apollo and maybe the new USB Focusrite Clarett but am relieved to be saving some money for now!
Cheers
Aiden
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Yes, DeOxit D5 is great. If WD-40 worked for the OP, well OK, but I would avoid use on electronics. D5 is made just for cleaning contacts, and is safe on plastics too. WD-40 has "specialist" - a specific contact cleaner - perhaps their answer to DeOxit.
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