Studio Projects TB1

TelePaul

My Studio Projects mic is acting up. It's a tube mic and has an external power supply. It's about 18 months old, and about 6 months ago the on/off LED stopped working. I wasn't too put out by this, as the mic still worked fine. But today I tried it and...nothing.

I started eliminating possible causes. I switched the standard XLR cable (which goes between the sound card and the valve power supply). I changed the fuse on the valve power supply mains and also on the power supply unit itself (sorry if this is becoming complicated!). The next thing I want to check is the 7-pin cable connecting the power supply to the mic - but I don't have a spare one. Does anyone know where I might be able to get one in town?

studiorat

You could check that with a multimeter.

TelePaul

studiorat wrote: »

You could check that with a multimeter.

Check what? The 7-pin cable? I don't have a multi-meter

studiorat

The seven pin. Or pop it open and make sure it's connected. I doubt if it's the cable though. Did you open up the mic and re-seat the valve, it could have come loose.

PaulBrewer

The valve is the most likely problem...

PaulBrewer

.... or possibly the fact that it's a Studio Projects........... TSSSST!

PaulBrewer

On a more serious note.... I think Waltons are distributors here...

TelePaul

PaulBrewer wrote: »

On a more serious note.... I think Waltons are distributors here...

They are, that's where I got it. Although that was 18 months ago, but it hasn't seen that much action - it's probably been used a dozen times, always put it back in its case etc etc. I dunno what Waltons will do about it, I don't imagine it's still under warranty

PaulBrewer

Well they should sort it out for you-
What normally happens with our gear if it's out of warranty, doesn't cost a bomb in spare parts or time it'll be repaired for free.
sE stuff has a 2 year warranty (as I remember), so you'd just a new one......

TelePaul

PaulBrewer wrote: »

Well they should sort it out for you-
What normally happens with our gear if it's out of warranty, doesn't cost a bomb in spare parts or time it'll be repaired for free.
sE stuff has a 2 year warranty (as I remember), so you'd just a new one......

Ah right. Well it seems SP have a second-ton-none customer service rep - I was told to e-mail a few of their top dogs and they'd sort me out. Meanwhile I've had someone take it to Waltons on my behalf to see what the story is there, even just to check it with one of their cables or power supplies. It's funny, when I was looking for a LDC for recording, I tried Goodwins and Waltons. The guy in Goodwins told me to go to the Audio Warehouse, as you guys just have better gear!

PaulBrewer

TelePaul wrote: »

Ah right. Well it seems SP have a second-ton-none customer service rep - I was told to e-mail a few of their top dogs and they'd sort me out. Meanwhile I've had someone take it to Waltons on my behalf to see what the story is there, even just to check it with one of their cables or power supplies. It's funny, when I was looking for a LDC for recording, I tried Goodwins and Waltons. The guy in Goodwins told me to go to the Audio Warehouse, as you guys just have better gear!

Aw Shucks (blush) ... I don't know how techy you are but as I said the most likely fault is the valve, with may well be a 12AX7 or similar commonly found in guitar amps.

If you were in a position to try another it might save you unnecessary trips.

TelePaul

PaulBrewer wrote: »

Aw Shucks (blush) ... I don't know how techy you are but as I said the most likely fault is the valve, with may well be a 12AX7 or similar commonly found in guitar amps.

If you were in a position to try another it might save you unnecessary trips.

Hey it turns out it was the 7 pin cable after all. Got a new one - €50, kinda steep but I'm good to go. Is the valve in the mic itself, no?

PaulBrewer

Cool, on reflection I suppose the cable was as likely a culprit, though it's odd for a cable like that to break. At least you're sorted