Topic: Sony PCM-A10 (Part 2)

[thebigredone]

using the internal mics, record level of 6 with limiter on will be as good as it gets, in my experience.
Have not really tried without the limiter...

At a loud gig I couldn't get past 1 without it clipping. Now using externals and a BB.

[shadowfax1007]

So I did some extensive reading on the A10 before buying one recently, but one thing I never found a clear answer on was the cause of the channel failures.
I saw a bunch of people theorise that it was 12V battery boxes killing the input - was that ever confirmed? For people who did have an A10 die, can you comment if you were using 9V or 12V BB's.

I've currently got a 12V BB but if it's going to kill my A10, I'll make a 9V version if it's going to be safer.

[DavidPuddy]

You should have a DC blocking cap at the battery box output for each channel. Might want to start there - see if you get a DC reading with mics plugged in.

[Sebastian]

Also, I wouldn't rule out a mechanical problem, e.g. bad solder joints on the A10's inputs. That is the most common cause for channel failures in any audio gear. And since the A10 can supply a microphone bias voltage, I would expect it to have DC blocking capacitors in front of its amps to protect them from its own bias voltage. Of course if these caps are only rated up to a certain voltage (e.g. 6V) that would be insufficient. But these are all assumptions. I have never opened mine and I've never had these kinds of problems myself.

[shadowfax1007]

You should have a DC blocking cap at the battery box output for each channel. Might want to start there - see if you get a DC reading with mics plugged in.

So just to ensure I'm understanding you correctly:
1) Plug in microphones into battery box input
2) Use a multimeter at the battery box output and test for DC voltage? If so, where am I putting the positive and negative probes?

I'm using a SP-SPSB-10 from the Sound Professionals, so hopefully there is DC blocking.

[mrfender]

So I did some extensive reading on the A10 before buying one recently, but one thing I never found a clear answer on was the cause of the channel failures.
I saw a bunch of people theorise that it was 12V battery boxes killing the input - was that ever confirmed? For people who did have an A10 die, can you comment if you were using 9V or 12V BB's.

I've currently got a 12V BB but if it's going to kill my A10, I'll make a 9V version if it's going to be safer.

Well that sucks.  I was in the process of building a small 12v box but maybe I'll switch it over to a 9v using an A29 battery.   

[DavidPuddy]

You should have a DC blocking cap at the battery box output for each channel. Might want to start there - see if you get a DC reading with mics plugged in.

So just to ensure I'm understanding you correctly:
1) Plug in microphones into battery box input
2) Use a multimeter at the battery box output and test for DC voltage? If so, where am I putting the positive and negative probes?

I'm using a SP-SPSB-10 from the Sound Professionals, so hopefully there is DC blocking.

Yes, plug mics in and set your meter to DC volts. With the battery box output plug, put black probe on ground (should be furthest from the tip) and check the ring and tip for dc voltage. You should not see anything but if you get a mV or two it’s not a big deal.