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Discussions about the products / Testenvironment

« on: March 20, 2023, 10:33:07 AM »

I have a basic question about the 500 system. 
I assemble the modules in my office, but I don't have the opportunity to test them there. 
Now I'm trying to figure out the easiest way to do this. 
I have a multimeter with a simple tone generator. 
Is there an easy way to power the modules to me, so maybe a simple power supply extender cable? 
Or an extender cable with a connection option for a small power pack? 
Or what would be necessary to realize such a test site?
Best regards
Stefan

2

MU524 Vari-Mu Tube Compressor / Problems with my build

« on: March 09, 2023, 08:58:07 PM »

Hi Jean-Pierre

I have problems with my build of the Mu524.
I did the setup, step by step. 
I got to point 9 "sidechain setup" during setup. 
Up until then everything was fine. At point 9, I could only get TR3 down to 4.8 VAC. Nothing went deeper.
Nevertheless, I completed the setup process and all the rest of the values were correct, except for TR3.

After that I checked the values from your post „In case your MU524 doesn't work as expected“.
Here are the results:

Initial conditions:
IN pot @ max
OUT pot @ min
REC pot @ max
Bypass toggle @IN
All Push buttons @UP
Input signal: Sinus 1kHz, 1VAC
Jumper JMP1: removed

Results:
TP1 and TP2: 30VDC (black probe on 0V) TP1 15,6 VDC, TP2 34,2 VDC
TP1 and TP2: 1.25VAC  TP1 - Ground 1,99 VAC, TP2 - Ground 0L to 38 VAC jump around, couldn’t get a result from the measurement
TP3 = TP4 = 1.8VAC TP3 - Ground 3,5 VAC, TP4 - Ground 3,49 VAC
Output: 3.5VAC (between XLR pins 2&3) 3,4 VAC

Changed conditions:
Jumper JMP1: on 1-2
Input signal: Sinus 1kHz, 0.3VAC
OUT pot @ max

Results:
TP3: 0.26VAC (black probe on 0V) TP1 - Ground 0,23 VAC
TP4: 1.5VAC TP4 - Ground 2,6 VAC
TP5: 2.9VAC TP5 - Ground 2,55 VAC
TP6: -3.5VDC TP6 - Ground -3,23 VDC
Output: 3.5VAC (between XLR pins 2&3) 2,67 VAC
Meter: -6dB -6dB


When I send a musical Signal in the unit, I get heavy plops , the frequency of the plops is getting lower, the higher recovery time gets.
As far as I rise the input, the gain reduction is immense, the input signal seems far to loud.

Do you have an Idea what could be wrong?

Best regards and a thousand thanks for your support.
Stefan

3

MP573 Microphone preamplifier / Strange behavior when internal connected to EQ573

« on: August 22, 2022, 07:01:44 PM »

Hi Jean-Pierre
I now have both of my MP573 connected to the EQ573II via the internal conexin-cable. So far, everything works fine. But when I switch of my whole setup and switch it on again, I have some pulsing high level on the outputs, when the EQe is set to pre.
When I switch to XLR or off, it disappears, as long, as I switch back to pre. After a while this behavior is gone. As if a condensator is discharging.
Do you have an idea, what could be wrong, or what I could check for?
Best regards
Stefan

4

MP573 Microphone preamplifier / MP 573 - no output anymore

« on: July 08, 2022, 10:39:24 AM »

Hi Jean-Pierre
I finished my MP 573 an did the setup as discribed. Everything was as it should. I did some testrecording with all kind of mics and the DI. Everything was really great sounding.
Next step was to connect the MP with my EQ573II. But this didn´t work. I tried a bit and decided to run both units separately for the moment. The EQ still works perfect, but the MP now dosn´t have any output. I can see the Input-LED reacting on the signal i feed it with. That seems to be normal. With more Gain the LED stays green, when lowering, it only lights up, when there is a hotter signal.
But on the output there is nothing.
I tried different slots of my Bento-Case, also the one, where my EQ573 is running without issues. 
Now I have no Idea what to do next. Can you give me some support?
Thank you so much in advance,
best regards
Stefan

5

EQP501 Passive Equalizer / Problem with the Potentiometers

« on: June 29, 2022, 09:25:39 AM »

Hi Jean-Pierre
I´m just before finishing my third SoundSkulptor Module, the EQ-P501.
I have a slightly problem with the potentiometers.
When I turn the black knobs, the red ones move with them and vice versa.
There do not run free, as it worked with my EQ573.

Do you have an idea, what i did wrong?
thank you in advance.
best regards
Stefan

6

EQ573 Equaliser / cracking noise, when switching Lowcut Filter

« on: June 13, 2022, 02:18:08 PM »

Hi Jean-Pierre
I just finished my 2nd SoundSkulptor Projekt, the EQ573-II. It was a pleasure to build it an everything is running so far quite well, except some cracking noise, whenever i switch the lowcut. It sounds like the crackling in the demo-video on your web site (Build and review of the EQ573), when the on-off switch is used.
Is this behaviour normal, or is this a sign, that i did something not precise enough or wrong?
best regards
Stefan

7

CP5176 FET compressor / Need help to find the mistake

« on: June 02, 2022, 09:52:24 PM »

Hi guys
I´m on my way to finish my first DIY CP 5176. I solders everything and starts the setup-process.
unfortunately, here something seems to be wrong.

I followed the setup process and at step 8, when I tried to adjust P5 nothing happens. So I started the checklist "In case your CP5176 doesn't work as expected"

At Step 2, I got 580mV DC on the Top Pin of L1 of the SK25. As far as I understand your Checklist, this seems to be to much.
The other Checkpoints are as they should. Maybe point D has a slightly bigger tolerance (-0,16 DCV instead of - 0,2 DCV).

Step 3 brings the following values:

TP1 = 0,07 V AC
TP2 = 0,34 V AC
L1 Top = 1,85 V AC

Step 4
The ratio-values are very closed to the ones, you describe.
TP6 values reach from -1,4 to - 5,4 VDC
TP5 value is 0

Can you give me an idea, what to do now?
thank you for your help!

8

First Aid / Parts missing

« on: May 31, 2022, 09:33:55 AM »

Dear Soundskulptor Team
I purchased a CP5176 Kit. I already did the soldering. But there are 2 parts missing, i can´t find them in the box.

1. Gain reduction meter - U6 (LM317LZ)
2. SK25 - D4 (BZX55C 5V1)

Instead of that, I had 11 of the Signal Diode 1N914 (stripped together). One of these ist left now.
So, all in all, i have 2 parts missing and one left.

Can I get the missing parts from you?
Thank you so much in advance and best regards
Stefan

9

First Aid / Problems identifing Parts

« on: May 27, 2022, 09:09:49 AM »

Hi guys
i´m an absolutely DIY-beginner and started to build my firstr CP5176.
Identiofing the Resistors was easy. But now i have to identify the Ceramic Capacitors. On some, i can read the marking. On the blue ones, it´s impossible to read the marking. When i measure with the ultimeter, i get values, that are only near the value at the part list.
Is there a "right" way, to cope with that?
best regards
stefan