Topic: Sony SBM-1 occasionally drops a channel

[NYLifer]

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

[hi and lo]

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.

[Todd R]

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:

[H₂O]

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.

[Since85]

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!

[fobstl]

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.

[jb63]

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

[F.O.Bean]

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!!!