• Registered: 2008-08-23
  • Posts: 6

Topic: Weak analog output (less loud than should be): What's the pb?

Hi everyone,
I own a myultiface 1 + HDSP PCI since 2004.
Recently, I noticed that the output "analog 1" was delivering a weaker signal than it should.
The difference is quite noticeable.

If I route the signal to an output 3&4 or 5&6, the problem doesnot occur.
I tested everything in order to know that :

this is not acable problem (it occurs with other cables)
this is not a patch problem (it occurs with other patch points and with other cables)
it is not a source problem

This doesn't seem to be a static electricity issue either (I unplugged the multiface for more than 5 minutes, un plugged the PC too, but no change occured).


I wondered if it ever happened to one of you?
Is that a known issue?

Could something inside the box be fixed by myself? I do'nt mind opening the box, but it's going to be a big mess to unplug and replug everything, so I'd rather ask before in case this in not helpful to open the multiface.

Thanks for your experiences and advice.

Gedeon

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,807

Re: Weak analog output (less loud than should be): What's the pb?

If you're sure that all mixer settings are correct (try loading a factory preset), the unit may be in need of repair. Please contact your retailer or local RME distributor.


Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • Registered: 2008-08-23
  • Posts: 6

Re: Weak analog output (less loud than should be): What's the pb?

Thanks for answering, Daniel.

Before I start anything that costs  money, I'd like to know if it happened to anyone else.
Reading your advice leads me to understand  that it's not the first time your heard of such a problem. Am I right?
This would lead me to think that the multiface has some weakness of some sort or maybe a recommandation that I should have followed.
If that is true, I need to know if I can prevent the problem to happen again or if this is something that is realy inherent to the multiface1.
Since I also have a more recent multiface 2 (on another PC), I'd like to avoid this problem if I possible.

Of course, maybe you just gave me a generic advice by writing what you wrote, but I doubt it ;-)


Ged

  • From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2007-05-11
  • Posts: 1,192

Re: Weak analog output (less loud than should be): What's the pb?

ALso - the MF's Ins and Outs do have selectable gain (just like the ADI-8 series) but it is handled via internal jumpers.  I want to say they are adjusted in pairs - but don't quote me on that (been years since I changed these on my Multiface).  Check that first - I believe it is in the manual...

cool

MADIface-XT+ARC / 3x HDSP MADI / ADI648
2x SSL Alphalink MADI AX
2x Multiface / 2x Digiface /2x ADI8
  • Registered: 2008-08-23
  • Posts: 6

Re: Weak analog output (less loud than should be): What's the pb?

Randyman... wrote:

ALso - the MF's Ins and Outs do have selectable gain (just like the ADI-8 series) but it is handled via internal jumpers.  I want to say they are adjusted in pairs - but don't quote me on that (been years since I changed these on my Multiface).  Check that first - I believe it is in the manual...

cool

I thought of that,  thanks. I thought about it  because I once opened the MF case to change jumpers for one pair of input.
I did'nt remember that  it was possible to change a jumper for the ouputs too.
Anyway, it does work in pair, if my memory serves me well, and I only have problem with one output (ANalof 1, that is).

Thx for writing./

Gedeon

6 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,683

Re: Weak analog output (less loud than should be): What's the pb?

We have seen dryed out capacitors on these units. If that is the case the service would exchange all such types for all out channels. Not a big deal, though...

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2007-05-11
  • Posts: 1,192

Re: Weak analog output (less loud than should be): What's the pb?

Which caps would these be on the PCB?  Just curious as I have 3 MF's and might try to replace the aging caps in my units myself (all 3 are waaaay out of warranty).

Thanks!

MADIface-XT+ARC / 3x HDSP MADI / ADI648
2x SSL Alphalink MADI AX
2x Multiface / 2x Digiface /2x ADI8
  • Registered: 2008-08-23
  • Posts: 6

Re: Weak analog output (less loud than should be): What's the pb?

Thanks for the honnest answer Matthias, it prevents me from doing "unnecessary surgery" on my multiface.

Would you say that it is something one can repair with a couple of directive and photos or is it "not a big deal" only for a guy who knows its electronics and the specific problem to solve? I don't want to take risks if the cost of the repair is reasonnable.

Last question: is there any way that the HDSP PCI card is concerned ?


ANyway, it would be the first time I have to deal with support with a RME unit.
So: should I contact: 
- the shop who sold me the unit in the first place (unit wich is not under warranty anymore) ?
- http://www.scvhitech.fr wich is the "local support specialist" for my country (France) according to the RME site? (btw, does it mean that they can reparir my multiface, directly?)
- can I send it directly to a repair-man of RME in Germany. Strangely enough, I would rather have this option, because I never had a problem with a German company, I feel more confident. And also: postage is cheaper when you send from France to Germany than from France to France (true, stupid, but true :-). [I have nothing against scv hitech, btw, as I don't know them yet ;-)

Thx for these last precisions.

Gedeon


PS: I'm interested in the answer anyone will give to Randy regarding the specifications of the "possibly dried out" capacitors. Just to know where I should have a look.

9 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,683

Re: Weak analog output (less loud than should be): What's the pb?

In most cases these are the big output caps, 2 per channel, 220?F. Often their top cap is deformed as well.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2008-08-23
  • Posts: 6

Re: Weak analog output (less loud than should be): What's the pb?

MC wrote:

In most cases these are the big output caps, 2 per channel, 220?F. Often their top cap is deformed as well.

THx, Matthias, I'll have a look.

Gedeon

  • From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2007-05-11
  • Posts: 1,192

Re: Weak analog output (less loud than should be): What's the pb?

Ditto.  MC is the best smile

MADIface-XT+ARC / 3x HDSP MADI / ADI648
2x SSL Alphalink MADI AX
2x Multiface / 2x Digiface /2x ADI8