My stock Sony SBM-1 over the last year has developed this nasty habit of, very occasionally dropping the R channel and just recording the L channel only. This happens maybe once or twice every 10 shows I record.
It's very easy to see, because the R light just goes off and stays off. One recording I made where I was not at the gear, the R channel actually came back on after a half hour, but usually when I notice the channel dropping I just yank the 1/4" mics out of the SBM-1 and jam them directly into the Microtrack II.
There have been occasions where turning the SBM-1 off and then back on has restored both channels, but also occasions where, after being restored, the R channel will again disappear after some time.
Is this possibly a heat or dust issue? I've been hesitant to open it up...
Is Sony still doing any sort of (warranty or non) repairs these days?
Thank you,
Bob
The SBM is relatively easy to open up and its quite possible doing so would reveal a failing component. The age of the capacitors in these units is definitely hitting the point where may begin to leak or fail, so it probably needs a checkup.
Considering the cost of these units and their dated, 16-bit functionality, I don't think I would personally bother with spending money for repairs.
Sorry, no help on your problem, but I'd agree that I wouldn't do repairs, at least not through Sony. If they even still worked on it, I'd bet it would be a minimum of $250.
I have the Sony D50 recorder, which I find a very nice recorder, been very robust for me, takes a digital input (optical), and sounds very good from its analog inputs. I mainly record in 24bits, but if you want to record at 16bits, the D50 offers the SBM circuitry.
Given the advances in circuits, amp chips, and A/D chips, the D50 with or without its SBM circuitry probably sounds as good or better than the original SBM1. You could probably pick one up for ~$350. I don't know that I'd really recommend recording at 16bits with so many 24bit recorders, but even if you're set on SBM-dither down to 16bits, I'd probably put my money towards a D50 and replace your SBM1 and MT, rather than spending more money to fix a pretty dated SBM1.
:2 cents:
Also if you are looking for a replacement recorder w/ SPDIF and XLR's (I saw your other thread under 4 channel) take a look at the new Tascam DR-100mkII
Tonedef has a great run down on the unit in this section on it.
I might bet that it is a broken solder connection where the RCA input connects to the circuit board. The intermittent behavior would possibly explain this.
Good luck!
Quote from: hi and lo on January 25, 2012, 10:42:02 AM
Considering the cost of these units and their dated, 16-bit functionality, I don't think I would personally bother with spending money for repairs.
IMHO, you are best off scrapping the SBM-1 and getting a Sony M10 for $230 shipped through B&H. Just get an adapter cable to go from your 441s into the M10s 1/8" input and you are set. The M10 sounds great, you can run 24 bit, runs for ever on 2 AA batteries (literally days) and you will be eliminating a piece of gear from the chain. Would probably cost you the $230 to repair the SBM-1 and you still have an old piece of gear that does not do 24 bit.
Actually, you can repair your SBM-1 for about $120.
According to Paul at Prodigital, it is usually the solder around the RCA jacks or somewhere near the capacitors.
Call him up and ask.
Of course, I had him do one of mine and the problem continued, so if you get it done, get it done right!
jb
Quote from: fobstl on January 25, 2012, 03:17:32 PM
Quote from: hi and lo on January 25, 2012, 10:42:02 AM
Considering the cost of these units and their dated, 16-bit functionality, I don't think I would personally bother with spending money for repairs.
IMHO, you are best off scrapping the SBM-1 and getting a Sony M10 for $230 shipped through B&H. Just get an adapter cable to go from your 441s into the M10s 1/8" input and you are set. The M10 sounds great, you can run 24 bit, runs for ever on 2 AA batteries (literally days) and you will be eliminating a piece of gear from the chain. Would probably cost you the $230 to repair the SBM-1 and you still have an old piece of gear that does not do 24 bit.
BINGO!!!