Help with the Shure FP24/MixPre/MP-2

[John Kelly]

Ok, I run a Shure FP24, which is just a rebranded MixPre which is very similar to the MP2.  Last time I taped I ran into a very interesting problem.  The left channel was running a lot less hot than usual.  I had the knob turned up to 12:00, which I never have to do.  The right channel was in its usual spot around 9:00.  But other than that it was looking OK.  Then about an hour into the show the left channel started clipping.  I had to move it back down to where it should've been in the first place, around 9:00.  

Now other than that small area of clipping, my show sounds fine.  Anyone know what happened?  I had brand new batteries in and I hadn't changed anything from the last few shows I had taped.  

[Sean Gallemore]

that is odd.

My experience is that any sound at concert level will clip the mp-2 above 10 o'clock.  I have no idea why you had to turn it up to 12 to get the channels to be even, though.  That is really odd...

You can always contact the folks at Sound Devices, they are very helpful, more helpful than Shure, I would assume.

[Brian Skalinder]

Can you duplicate the problem at home?
If so, have you swapped/switched the mics/cables one by one to isolate the problem to the FP24?

[nickgregory]

I did have something goofy like this happen once on a "fresh" set of batteries...got home, could never duplicate it, and has not happened since.  I ran into a guy at a show a few months ago who had the same thing happen that night...and he told me a couple weeks ago he has not had a problem since....I think sometimes "new" batts aren't so new...and that could be causing the problem...

[John Kelly]

Yeah, I can't replicate it at home.  While at the show I switched mic cables and it still had the same problem.  I should've tried switching out the batteries but the ones I had in were my last fresh pair (I had some used batts that I could've thrown in for a minute).  

Oh well...if it happens again I'll get in touch with Sound Devices.  I have to send it in to get the rechargeable battery mod anyway...

+T for the advice guys.

[Sean Gallemore]

oh yeah, that's a goodie to get

[nic]

what exactly is done with this "rechargeable mod"?
are the rechargeable AA's a different physical size from standard alkaline AA?
does it have any affect on running external DC in(via SLA)?

pardon the questions from a new MP2 owner

[John Kelly]

what exactly is done with this "rechargeable mod"?
are the rechargeable AA's a different physical size from standard alkaline AA?
does it have any affect on running external DC in(via SLA)?

pardon the questions from a new MP2 owner

I hear all they do is switch  out the spring in the battery compartment.  I'm going to see if they'll mess with some other stuff for me, too.  I.e. you can't turn the LED's off on the MixPre/FP24...I'm gonna see if they can fix that.

[nickgregory]

what exactly is done with this "rechargeable mod"?
are the rechargeable AA's a different physical size from standard alkaline AA?
does it have any affect on running external DC in(via SLA)?

pardon the questions from a new MP2 owner

no effect, as john said, they just replace the spring, and they also give the unit a once over....all the units I have heard of that went back had the potenimeters (sp?) replaced as well. so that gives a little piece of mind...

[Sean Gallemore]

I had my gain knobs tightened when I sent mine back

[Chris K]

Oh well...if it happens again I'll get in touch with Sound Devices.  I have to send it in to get the rechargeable battery mod anyway...

have you tried using rechargeable AA nimh batteries on the fp24....i believe these stock units already have this mod built in.

i believe it was the older mp-2 units that needed the mod, but the mixpre's should be ok.

if not its only $35 to get it done, and they will recalibrate it and check the pots for free (if you ask). sound devices has very good service and turnaround time. make sure you call sd in advance and get a work order # prior to sending it in.

i have never had a problem as you discussed although it seems my channel #1 (left) always seems a little lower than the channel 2 (right). i noted this to sd when i sent my unit in for the nimh mod, and they checked it out and said it was ok. maybe it was a matter of where i was set up in the hall??

[Sean Gallemore]

Oh well...if it happens again I'll get in touch with Sound Devices.  I have to send it in to get the rechargeable battery mod anyway...

i have never had a problem as you discussed although it seems my channel #1 (left) always seems a little lower than the channel 2 (right). i noted this to sd when i sent my unit in for the nimh mod, and they checked it out and said it was ok. maybe it was a matter of where i was set up in the hall??

who, seems like de ja vu but you might have mentioned that before, but I'll say it again: my left channel is louder than my right.  But it could also be my mics.  Good thing for independent channel gain

[John Kelly]

Oh well...if it happens again I'll get in touch with Sound Devices.  I have to send it in to get the rechargeable battery mod anyway...

have you tried using rechargeable AA nimh batteries on the fp24....i believe these stock units already have this mod built in.

i believe it was the older mp-2 units that needed the mod, but the mixpre's should be ok.

if not its only $35 to get it done, and they will recalibrate it and check the pots for free (if you ask). sound devices has very good service and turnaround time. make sure you call sd in advance and get a work order # prior to sending it in.

i have never had a problem as you discussed although it seems my channel #1 (left) always seems a little lower than the channel 2 (right). i noted this to sd when i sent my unit in for the nimh mod, and they checked it out and said it was ok. maybe it was a matter of where i was set up in the hall??

I haven't tried it yet.  I should probably throw my rechargeables in just to test.  But that means I'd have to find the ac adapter for my charger...

[Sean Gallemore]

you must use 2 rechargables.  If you use one rechargable and one alky, it might work because a rechargable will work in one of the positions, can't remember which, however.

[John Kelly]

you must use 2 rechargables.  If you use one rechargable and one alky, it might work because a rechargable will work in one of the positions, can't remember which, however.

Oh man, I was gonna throw in a rechargeable and a rock and see if it worked.