Topic: Custom 1/8" Mod for AD-20

[scoper]

Fellow TS member Jason Reiser did a mod on my AD-20:

Remove the XLR inputs
Install a blank panel on the left slot
Install a 1/8" input in the right slot

Since I'm strictly stealth, this allows me to use the SP battery box directly into the AD-20, using the level controls and bass rolloff on the bb as needed to adjust the signal to the AD-20. It also gets rid of the bulky converter cable from 1/8" jack to dual XLR plugs.

The mod doesn't add plug in power to the AD-20, so the BB is still in the chain, but I imagine the mod would be a hell of a lot cheaper than the one by SoundPro or others.

I used this new arrangement last night, to great effect.

I can post pix (both exterior and interior) if there is any interest. Jason can provide the technical info as to the details of the mod.

Scott

[jdawg]

Sounds cool, post a pic when you get a chance.

[scoper]

Here are pics of the mod - I will have Jason come over and explain....

[poorlyconditioned]

Fellow TS member Jason Reiser did a mod on my AD-20:

Remove the XLR inputs
Install a blank panel on the left slot
Install a 1/8" input in the right slot

Since I'm strictly stealth, this allows me to use the SP battery box directly into the AD-20, using the level controls and bass rolloff on the bb as needed to adjust the signal to the AD-20. It also gets rid of the bulky converter cable from 1/8" jack to dual XLR plugs.

The mod doesn't add plug in power to the AD-20, so the BB is still in the chain, but I imagine the mod would be a hell of a lot cheaper than the one by SoundPro or others.

I used this new arrangement last night, to great effect.

I can post pix (both exterior and interior) if there is any interest. Jason can provide the technical info as to the details of the mod.

Scott

Hey, while you've got that AD20 open...

Can you tell me:

- what preamp chips it is using?
- what kind of power supply to said preamp chips?  (Eg., LT1054 might be a good guess to get -9V for a +-9V split supply)
- what ADC is in there

Thanks!!!

  Richard

[willndmb]

i wonder if you could do this in the side and still have the xlr active as well?

[cpatch]

i wonder if you could do this in the side and still have the xlr active as well?

I was thinking the same thing.

Craig

[redbook]

thats what the SP mod does: keeps the XLR and adds a mini plug input.

[rsimms3]

That is a lot cleaner than mine, where did you get the panels from to do your mod?

[lordbelial]

Could somene with an SP modded AD-2o post some pictures to see how they have performed the mod?

Thanks!

[thunderbroom]

That's just what I'd like to see as well.  I'd like to change out the XLRs and put the three wire battery box inside the AD-20.

[Sanjay]

That's just what I'd like to see as well.  I'd like to change out the XLRs and put the three wire battery box inside the AD-20.

that would be easy and entirely possible.  All you need to do is run the 3 wire power in parallel to the AD-20 power in the 9v by figuring out where the power lead comes from the battery, then build the circuit from there with the output stage going straight into the output stage from the xlr's into the A/D's input.  The saved real estate from removing the xlr's would provide more than enough space.  It could probably could not be done while keeping the xlr's active however due to real estate issues and power issues.  I measured the draw from the 3 wire battery box to power from 45-50 hours on a conservative estimate so I'd imagine the power draw to the AD-20 would be minimal. 

[lordbelial]

Well, a friend of mine has got an AD-20 modded by Sounpro.

I have asked him for photos of the inside of the AD-20 modded.

Asap I'll post them here.

Take care

[thunderbroom]

I finally managed to fit the three wire BB into the AD-20.  I did attach an extra 9V ala the SP mod.  It works great , but there wasn't much room to solder after I layed it all out.  No pics because I did such a hack job...maybe when I redo it in the future.

[poorlyconditioned]

I finally managed to fit the three wire BB into the AD-20.  I did attach an extra 9V ala the SP mod.  It works great , but there wasn't much room to solder after I layed it all out.  No pics because I did such a hack job...maybe when I redo it in the future.

+T for gear hacking, even if messy!  Don't forget the hot melt glue

  Richard

[jcrab66]

what sort of coax plug is that on the side of the ad20? Almost looks like a regular 3.5mm