Hey guys,
This is probably a real noob question, but I just came across someone saying recently that they leave their console running all the time to keep the caps charged and to go "easier" on the power supply. Now, this was a full 48 channel SSL desk, I'm only running a humble 12 channel Ta@#$% M512. Should I leave this bad boy running before/after I use it? I haven't had any trouble with it power-wise - it powers up straight away and hasn't dropped out or anything - but don't really want to kill it by flicking it on/off for each session. Is this bad for it? Being a small desk, is it a going to cause a problem, or is that more for the bigger more complex desks? I'm running it using a step-down transformer too, if this makes a difference (i.e., leaving it on could make the stepdown a little angry over time).
Thanks in advance,
Mitch
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Should I leave my console on??
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Should I leave my console on??
Mitch Catterall
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Re: Should I leave my console on??
nah, save your money ( and the planet ) and turn it and the step down off.
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rob - TRM Endorsed
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Re: Should I leave my console on??
Yeah - I just had a 60 channel Neve V1 on for 6 years - much more reliable to keep it on, and not because of the power supply - but the thousands of switches, relays, chips, pots,etc..... but Big power bills!
A 40 channel Quadeight Coranado switched off each night - nice simple design - nothing ever went wrong.
and a little console like this - there is so little to go wrong - off it should go!
A 40 channel Quadeight Coranado switched off each night - nice simple design - nothing ever went wrong.
and a little console like this - there is so little to go wrong - off it should go!
C h r i z t o w n o
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Re: Should I leave my console on??
Most electrical faults will occur at switch on when the electronics get a surge of power, but, if a component fails in that situation, it was close to failure anyway and it is best to have it go then, not in the middle of a session.
IMO if the manufacturer put a switch on it, then they designed it to be turned off when it's not in use.
You also have the element of a fire hazard with powered up, but un-monitored equipment. Best to turn it off when you're not around.
IMO if the manufacturer put a switch on it, then they designed it to be turned off when it's not in use.
You also have the element of a fire hazard with powered up, but un-monitored equipment. Best to turn it off when you're not around.
Bob Charman - Stockport Sound, SA
The Road Goes On Forever and the Party Never Ends..........
The Road Goes On Forever and the Party Never Ends..........
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stosostu - Regular Contributor
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Re: Should I leave my console on??
There are 50,000,000 more components in the SSL console than in your 12 ch. Perhaps something in the order of 10000 caps. So much more to go wrong and so many more heat and power related things. Not to mention the time and expense tracking these things down. Also it would be nice to think that large format consoles don't need turning off due to them being in constant use 24/7, but not always the case.
I don't turn off the 56 ch DDA we have at the studio because when I power it back up the left side of the mix buss drops in level and I have the wack the master section like fonzie to get it back up. A-a-a-y.
For yours I'd suggest turning it on when it's being used (probably will find it hard to get some signal if it's not on...heheh), what I mean is - don't flick it off and on all day, just once in the days you are using him. Don't leave things lying on top of the console as that will cause it to retain the trapped heat (like pieces of paper/notes). Make a dust cover for it. Turn it of at the wall so the step-down is not always on.
Best of luck.
I don't turn off the 56 ch DDA we have at the studio because when I power it back up the left side of the mix buss drops in level and I have the wack the master section like fonzie to get it back up. A-a-a-y.
For yours I'd suggest turning it on when it's being used (probably will find it hard to get some signal if it's not on...heheh), what I mean is - don't flick it off and on all day, just once in the days you are using him. Don't leave things lying on top of the console as that will cause it to retain the trapped heat (like pieces of paper/notes). Make a dust cover for it. Turn it of at the wall so the step-down is not always on.
Best of luck.
Ben Moore
Harvest Recordings
Website: http://www.harvestrecordings.com.au
Facebook: http://www.faceback.com/harvestrecordings
Harvest Recordings
Website: http://www.harvestrecordings.com.au
Facebook: http://www.faceback.com/harvestrecordings
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Ben M - Valued Contributor
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Re: Should I leave my console on??
Thanks for all the replies guys, I'll only power it up when I'm using it. Due to the fact that only 9 channels and 7 busses work, I'd say that drops the parts count even more ;-). He sits under the AC in a nice cool room, and I only occasionally use him as a furniture rack.
That said all the VU meters light up and work, so everyone that comes into my little studio THINKS it sounds amazing. Ah the power of appearances. I should put VU meters on everything...
On a complete side-track, if anyone has had experience with an M512 (or 520) and has any amazing hints, they would be greatly appreciated. It's pretty straight forward at the moment and is definitely making my mixes bigger, any advice is always welcome though.
That said all the VU meters light up and work, so everyone that comes into my little studio THINKS it sounds amazing. Ah the power of appearances. I should put VU meters on everything...
On a complete side-track, if anyone has had experience with an M512 (or 520) and has any amazing hints, they would be greatly appreciated. It's pretty straight forward at the moment and is definitely making my mixes bigger, any advice is always welcome though.
Mitch Catterall
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