Does anyone know a pro-audio/studio repair specialist in Ireland?

frobisher

And even any rough idea of rates?

Soundman

What is it you need repaired?

frobisher

I'm not sure exactly what I want to get done immediatelly but I have a few things that are going to need a little work soon.
My Harrison power amp might be in need of a service right about now. I have a juicy old Allen & Heath Saber analouge desk that needs some pots replaced, all of which I already have. I also have two modules from a 70's Yamaha P1000 desk that I either want stripped and re-mounted in new rack boxes or leave them as they are and have some power units and XLR connections wired in to keep them company in a wodden case. The modules will need some re-capping, for which I have the caps.
Any ideas what i can expect to be paying for this kind of stuff?

ev612337

Hi,
Fixtronix specialise in Pro Audio Repair.
Call 046 924 3961 or check out their web site

frobisher

ev612337 wrote:

Hi,
Fixtronix specialise in Pro Audio Repair.
Call 046 924 3961 or check out their web site

Thanks for that. And welcome to the forum.

teamdresch

NJM in Harold's Cross are cheaper, and just as good in my estimation, as Fixtronix.

NJM Technical Services
11a Tivoli Avenue
Harolds Cross
DUBLIN 6W

Tel: + 353 (0)1 4963 160
Fax: + 353 (0)1 4963 252

ev612337

Well, check them both out is probably the best advice. Fixtronix pricing seems reasonable and fair to me. I don't know much about NJM, can you give a comparison example maybe?

counterpointaud

Thor Zellar @ Alphasounds in Waterford will do you right, tell 'em I sent you, he's in Dub a lot and will call around I'm sure.

Don't want to post a phone number as apparantly I got banned for posting one in Sept...which I don't remember doing...in fact I'm almost sure I didn't...but whatever. Weirdo ass Mod flexing his cyber muscles no doubt.

Thor knows his stuff and charges fairly.

Also John Truba @ JayTee Electronics from Kerry is the man for tube gear. You will have to get gear to Kerry or Crowley's in Cork though.

Cheers,

Nathan

p.s. Wasn't hugely impressed with Fixtronix when I used them. Long turnaround, you gotta pay for postage, and there was still issues with the unit I sent them. Good communication at least

Carrigsound

p.s. Wasn't hugely impressed with Fixtronix when I used them. Long turnaround, you gotta pay for postage, and there was still issues with the unit I sent them. Good communication at least[/QUOTE]

Nathan,

What issues did you still have with your unit after they had finished with it?
Sounds like you did'nt have much joy with them at all.

Cheers

Liam

counterpointaud

The idea was to get them to restore an old Mackie desk with a fair few minor problems, so I could sell it 'used, as new'.

I realise these boards are time-consuming to repair...but they had it for a considerable amount of time...I had to ring them a couple of times to find out what the story was.

It came back with maybe 7 or 8 out of 10 small problems fixed.

I don't think they tested it enough when it came off the bench, as some of the remaining problems were intermittant.

Just a little annoying.

You'd probably have more luck sending them modular consoles or channels, the Mackie is PCB and PITA.

Nathan

p.s. The most all-round (as opposed to specialised) knowledgable guy I know of for modding/hotrodding mics/channel strips/instruments is Jim Williams @ Audio Upgrades, Cali.

http://www.audioupgrades.com/

I got a 414 modded by him and it's an amazing sounding mic.

He mods gear for the likes of Stevie Wonder (his clav I believe), and isn't as pricy as you'd think.

frobisher

I don't think I'll be sending my Allen & Heath Saber 24:16 modules to Cali to be honest!! Nice name drop though, I like it! Which 414 is it and what's the mod?

Can you remember roughly what the rates were on your Mackie board?

counterpointaud

Oh, right...I assumes you might have been intending to get a couple of 'golden channels' modded for tracking, or the master section, not the whole desk.

Gotta read properly before replying.

The Fixtronix experience ended up costing about 350Eur inc shipping I
think. Not too far under the current resale value of a 1604 at the moment. I recouped most of it from a venue through who's negligence the desk was damaged in the 1st place.

If you can drop it to them, or get someone to call, it shouldn't set you back o much for what you need done. Collect yourself, and then you can check their work, rather than facing another trip or postage charges.

Most techs will change pots/recap etc quickly and cheaply, if you can't find some one local...give Thor Zellar a ring. You may be pleasantly surprised @ his rates.

My AU 414 is a B-ULS

From JW himself:

414 B-ULS is the most common 414 done here. All the older models are done but the B's are the most natural and have the smoothest response. Cost is $250 and it takes a week or so. It's made transformer-less and high end MIT film caps are used, much better parts than found in any other mics.

The B Uls is a very flat, neutral sound. No sibilance, no whistles. The low end will go to 2 hz for real low end depth. The peaky top end is eliminated as is the hardness heard in transients. It's a very smooth yet detailed sound with top end that rivals 1/2 " mics for details. A true desert island mic.
Thanks, JW



It works...I use it for many things, I have a stock B-ULS that sounds so lifeless beside it. One of these days, I will send both to him for him to match me a stereo pair.

Incidently...it works out pretty reasonable if you pick up a B-ULS from ebay in
the US(some good deals out there), and have the seller send it straight to JW...get's past that 'ships to US only' thing...and you won't pay VAT or import tax as JW will mark it 'Mic sent for repair.

Helps also when the Euro is strong against the dollar of course.


Cheers,

Nathan

frobisher

That is the nuggetiest nugget of info I've gotten in ages. Brilliant. I've planned on my next mic being a 414 and I ma going to do exactly as you said. I'm excited now!!

You're not far off with the desk stuff. My A&H needs some work on a few modules but I'm not doing any major tracking at all these days so it can wait for the moment. I have 2 70's channel strips that I'd like re-capped and housed. I'll give fixtronix a bell and see what they say. I live 7 miles from them so it's easy. Fingers crossed.

counterpointaud

Glad I could help.

As another bonus, you have the added piece of mind that your eBay B-ULS bargain won't be a dud...JW goes through 'em with a fine toothcomb.

If you can't get an email reply from him, give him a ring. His number is on the website. He's not the greatest with email correspondance, pretty busy I guess.

Nathan

p.s. Why the 'Frobisher handle' ? Classical composer from Cloud Atlas fame ?

frobisher

counterpointaud wrote:

Glad I could help.p.s. Why the 'Frobisher handle' ? Classical composer from Cloud Atlas fame ?

Now I'm really impressed!! Have you read it?

counterpointaud

frobisher wrote:

Now I'm really impressed!! Have you read it?

One of my favourite writers...amazing book.

You read his new one ? Quite a departarture stylistically.

Nathan

frobisher

I'm in the middle of the Wasp Factory by Ian M. Banks and then I'm going to move onto some more Mitchell. I enjoyed Cloud Atlas so much it made me gasp.

On the subject of books, have you read Mixing with your Mind by Mike Stavrou? Great book, the most enjoyable audio book I've come across.

Carrigsound

Nathan, thanks for that.
At the moment all my repairing and servicing is done in London. I lived there
for 16 years so I know lot of repair bods there. It would be nice however to
get some one dependable in Ireland. I'll probably try Thor in Waterford first
as thats drivable.

Cheers

Liam

counterpointaud

frobisher wrote:

I'm in the middle of the Wasp Factory by Ian M. Banks and then I'm going to move onto some more Mitchell. I enjoyed Cloud Atlas so much it made me gasp.

On the subject of books, have you read Mixing with your Mind by Mike Stavrou? Great book, the most enjoyable audio book I've come across.

Stav's book is indeed a great read. Borrowed it to a mate a good while ago, must get it back off him.

I like the zen like mixing philosophical stuff, and the left/right brain theories.

I'd like to go for a drink with him.

Nathan

COOKSTER

I can recommend Thor for reasonable price, good product knowledge and he is very thorough and fair. I've come away from fixtronic unhappy with the service. Go NJM if you want top end work done. As far as I know they do a lot of the major studios. They are pricey but your gear will work and will be well tested. Intermittant faults on a non-modular desk is going to cost a lot in bench fees with them, as will modding rack gear as it is time consuming. My advice, Thor is yer man. PS He's in Tramore, you can go surfing while you wait, just don't swallow the sewage.
Hope this helps

counterpointaud

COOKSTER wrote:

PS He's in Tramore, you can go surfing while you wait, just don't swallow the sewage.
Hope this helps