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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: fleish on October 30, 2008, 07:48:36 PM

Title: Problems with 1 mic in pair of AT853's or SP batt box
Post by: fleish on October 30, 2008, 07:48:36 PM
I've got these AT853 stereo mics & an SP battery box. Unfortunately, it seems when I record I only get sound on one of the channels. Though I'm a :newbie:, I'm otherwise technically inclined and learn by doing so I checked out a few things already:
- Swapped the caps and confirmed both seem to work on the "good" channel
- Checked the board inside the batt box ... all cables still appear to be soldered

The one thing that looks strange is the cable where it meets the mic body. On the "bad" channel it feels loose in comparison to the "good" channel. It actually seems to twist a little. I'm wondering if this means I have a bad cable - either a break somewhere or a disconnect inside the body.

So my questions (in no particular order) are:
- Has anyone dealt with something like this in the past?
- Does anyone who has more experience have any idea what might be happening?
- How would I go about confirming my suspicions or otherwise figuring out what's up?
- Any recommendations for getting this repaired? Any idea how much it would/should cost?

Thanks,
Todd
Title: Re: Problems with 1 mic in pair of AT853's or SP batt box
Post by: nameloc01 on October 30, 2008, 08:51:53 PM
Sounds like a bad termination..?
Title: Re: Problems with 1 mic in pair of AT853's or SP batt box
Post by: taperwheeler on November 02, 2008, 02:07:30 PM
Well to rule out the batt box run your mics > recorder.  If you're still only getting the 1 channel then it's definately in the mic cabling or mic.
Title: Re: Problems with 1 mic in pair of AT853's or SP batt box
Post by: fleish on November 03, 2008, 12:14:34 AM
Well to rule out the batt box run your mics > recorder.  If you're still only getting the 1 channel then it's definately in the mic cabling or mic.

Yeah, I've done that ... removing the batt box didn't help. I've tried to get the mic open to check out the wiring inside but I can't get the inner ring to unscrew.

Another odd thing - often when the levels on the "good" channel come in really hot I'll see the "bad" channel levels elevate somewhat. For instance if I talk really loudly into the "good" mic, I'll see some level activity on the "bad" channel too.
Title: Re: Problems with 1 mic in pair of AT853's or SP batt box
Post by: taperwheeler on November 03, 2008, 08:24:09 AM
Definately very screwy.  Have you had them long?  I would contact Chris at SP and send them in to him to be looked at and repaired.
Title: Re: Problems with 1 mic in pair of AT853's or SP batt box
Post by: fleish on November 05, 2008, 04:48:29 PM
Definately very screwy.  Have you had them long?  I would contact Chris at SP and send them in to him to be looked at and repaired.

I've had them for almost 2 years, but I haven't used them very many times. I can't even say that I've ever pulled a tape that didn't have the problem. I got them used out of the yard sale so I know they've been around for a few years prior to my owning them. I tried to get into the bodies but wasn't able get the inner ring to unscrew - the tweezers either wouldn't fit the whole or would start to bend before it would budge.
Title: Re: Problems with 1 mic in pair of AT853's or SP batt box
Post by: soundpro on November 05, 2008, 04:51:03 PM
Hello:

We gladly repair these for you. Please email techsupport@soundprofessionals.com with your order number, name or email address and we will look up the order and send you an RMA. They have a 2 year warranty.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Best Regards,

Chris Carfagno
techsupport@soundprofessionals.com
www.soundprofessionals.com
The Sound Professionals, Inc.
3444 Sylon Blvd
Hainesport NJ, 08036
800-213-3021
609-267-4400
609-267-0054 fax
Title: Re: Problems with 1 mic in pair of AT853's or SP batt box
Post by: fleish on November 05, 2008, 06:15:57 PM
Hello:

We gladly repair these for you. Please email techsupport@soundprofessionals.com with your order number, name or email address and we will look up the order and send you an RMA. They have a 2 year warranty.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Best Regards,

Chris Carfagno
techsupport@soundprofessionals.com
www.soundprofessionals.com
The Sound Professionals, Inc.
3444 Sylon Blvd
Hainesport NJ, 08036
800-213-3021
609-267-4400
609-267-0054 fax


While that's good to know ... unfortunately I'm far from the original owner ... so I don't have the order number ... nor are they within the 2 year period as you can see from the 2 YS threads: http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,70984.msg951186.html (http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,70984.msg951186.html)
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,79195.msg1054077.html (http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,79195.msg1054077.html)

If you're still willing to discuss possible repair options let me know.
Title: Re: Problems with 1 mic in pair of AT853's or SP batt box
Post by: ianstone on November 05, 2008, 08:34:25 PM
sounds like a bad solder joint from the mic cable>mic body - where it connects.
Title: Re: Problems with 1 mic in pair of AT853's or SP batt box
Post by: edgar on November 06, 2008, 12:25:08 PM
While that's good to know ... unfortunately I'm far from the original owner ... so I don't have the order number ... nor are they within the 2 year period as you can see from the 2 YS threads: http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,70984.msg951186.html (http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,70984.msg951186.html)
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,79195.msg1054077.html (http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,79195.msg1054077.html)

If you're still willing to discuss possible repair options let me know.

Chris is the MAN and surely will help you out if you get in contact. I'm sure he read the mics' history higher in the thread and if he missed it somehow, I could still easily see him standing by his product and helping sort the issue for you.

+T soundpro  :)

Title: Re: Problems with 1 mic in pair of AT853's or SP batt box
Post by: bobcat on November 12, 2008, 06:05:15 PM


 yes chris is very good. i had an issue or so in the summer and he was very helpful and great and all that.

 if you go with sound proffessionals the service is great!
Title: Re: Problems with 1 mic in pair of AT853's or SP batt box
Post by: dactylus on November 19, 2008, 09:59:28 AM


 yes chris is very good. i had an issue or so in the summer and he was very helpful and great and all that.

 if you go with sound proffessionals the service is great!

Ditto - Chris of Sound Professionals is top notch!!

 :)

Title: Re: Problems with 1 mic in pair of AT853's or SP batt box
Post by: Church-Audio on November 19, 2008, 11:05:12 AM
Definately very screwy.  Have you had them long?  I would contact Chris at SP and send them in to him to be looked at and repaired.

I've had them for almost 2 years, but I haven't used them very many times. I can't even say that I've ever pulled a tape that didn't have the problem. I got them used out of the yard sale so I know they've been around for a few years prior to my owning them. I tried to get into the bodies but wasn't able get the inner ring to unscrew - the tweezers either wouldn't fit the whole or would start to bend before it would budge.

If SP cant help because they are out of warranty I will take a look at them.

Chris
Title: Re: Problems with 1 mic in pair of AT853's or SP batt box
Post by: fleish on November 19, 2008, 03:28:23 PM
Thanks to everyone for replying. I've been talking to Chris @ SP off thread and he's going to take a crack at them. I'll let you all know how it turns out.