soundcraft delta 200 thread

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

I just bought a soundcraft delta 200 16/4/2 board. definitely a step up
from my mackie. (twice the size too unfortunately). I bought it because
it was modular (and therefore easily upgradeable) and fit my needs
configuration-wise as well as cheep. so far i'm really happy with it.
I'd like to start a thread regarding this board as i did a search and
didn't find much discussion about it.

Any owners out there? what version do you have?

where can i get manual, schematics? soundcraft website has a 'user
guide' download but that is basically just a summary of the unit. where
do you get faders? can you use the ones from digikey or are they
different? how about pots?

Have you done any mods to it? Have you replaced the opamps (TL072 i
think)? Are the socketed or soldered to the board? what replacements
did you use? have you tried upgrading the PSU?

how about the "Audio Upgrades" mod? anyone tried this? they charge $150
per channel to "replace op-amps, E.Q. caps, coupling caps,direct-couple
audio path, install feedback caps and more." (www.audioupgrades.com)
wondering if its worth it for a couple channels.

here's a link to a tapeop interview with jim williams from audio
upgrades where he explains the board and his upgrades a little:

http/www.tapeop.com/magazine/bonus/smallbusinesses.html

 

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On 22 Mar 2005 17:46:11 -0800, antonlamont45@yahoo.com wrote:

>I just bought a soundcraft delta 200 16/4/2 board. definitely a step up
>from my mackie. (twice the size too unfortunately). I bought it because
>it was modular (and therefore easily upgradeable) and fit my needs
>configuration-wise as well as cheep. so far i'm really happy with it.
>I'd like to start a thread regarding this board as i did a search and
>didn't find much discussion about it.
>
>Any owners out there? what version do you have?

I have one that also replaced my Mackie and I like it a lot. I paid
Mine is a 16/4/2 with the deluxe 4-band EQ modules and direct outs on
every channel. I'm not a tinkerer so I have done no mods on it. I
have heard that the $150 upgrade Jim Williams does to the master
output module is very good and makes a big improvement in the sound.
At some point I may have that done to mine, but at present my stuff is
packed up since I lost my studio space, so that's on the back burner
for now.

What did you pay for yours? Mine was $750 plus I had to buy a power
supply for it. It came out of a video post-production studio
liquidation so it hadn't been beat up on live gigs or filled with
smoke. For the money they are unbeatable, if you have the space for
one, as they are big.

>where can i get manual, schematics? soundcraft website has a 'user
>guide' download but that is basically just a summary of the unit. where
>do you get faders? can you use the ones from digikey or are they
>different? how about pots?

I would guess that you can still get parts from Harmon.

Al

>
>Have you done any mods to it? Have you replaced the opamps (TL072 i
>think)? Are the socketed or soldered to the board? what replacements
>did you use? have you tried upgrading the PSU?
>
>how about the "Audio Upgrades" mod? anyone tried this? they charge $150
>per channel to "replace op-amps, E.Q. caps, coupling caps,direct-couple
>audio path, install feedback caps and more." (www.audioupgrades.com)
>wondering if its worth it for a couple channels.
>
>here's a link to a tapeop interview with jim williams from audio
>upgrades where he explains the board and his upgrades a little:
>
>http/www.tapeop.com/magazine/bonus/smallbusinesses.html

 

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

antonlamon...@yahoo.com wrote:

> I just bought a soundcraft delta 200 16/4/2 board. definitely a step
up
> from my mackie. (twice the size too unfortunately). I bought it
because
> it was modular (and therefore easily upgradeable) and fit my needs
> configuration-wise as well as cheep. so far i'm really happy with it.
> I'd like to start a thread regarding this board as i did a search and
> didn't find much discussion about it.
>
> Any owners out there? what version do you have?

I have the Delta 8, 8 sub version.
It's actually a mix of modules in the Delta 8
frame with meter bridge: several original Delta 8
mono (mic) modules, some Venue II mono modules
(slightly modified), some Delta 8 stereo modules,
4 Delta group output modules and 2 stereo Venue
group output modules (for 8 subgroups) and a
200 Delta master module with a pair of large
output transformers.

> where can i get manual, schematics? soundcraft website has a 'user
> guide' download but that is basically just a summary of the unit.
where
> do you get faders? can you use the ones from digikey or are they
> different? how about pots?

Compared to some other companies, Soundcraft is
pretty good about supplying parts and service literature.
But the Delta has been recently discontinued after a
fairly lengthy run (1991 ?) Now would be a good time
to inquire about the schematics/service manual if you
think you will need them. I have some schematics but
they are copies-of-copies already and I'm not sure how
well they would reproduce again.
There are 2 different types of faders in mine that are
interchangable. I suspect that any 100mm fader
could be made to work.

> Have you done any mods to it? Have you replaced the opamps (TL072 i
> think)? Are the socketed or soldered to the board? what replacements
> did you use? have you tried upgrading the PSU?

I've done some simple mods to the Venue II strips to
allow them to work in the Delta, which is to disable the
mute circuit. The opamps on some modules are socketed
but the most likely ones that I might change are soldered
in (the mic preamps). The Delta 8 master section has
some better features than the 200 and I will be doing
some minor mods and swapping the transformers to it.

> how about the "Audio Upgrades" mod? anyone tried this? they charge
$150
> per channel to "replace op-amps, E.Q. caps, coupling
caps,direct-couple
> audio path, install feedback caps and more." (www.audioupgrades.com)
> wondering if its worth it for a couple channels.

I have considered the Williams mods for at least one mic
preamp channel and I would also like to add an input
transformer, as well as add a phono preamp to 1or 2
of the stereo inputs.

> here's a link to a tapeop interview with jim williams from audio
> upgrades where he explains the board and his upgrades a little:
>
> http/www.tapeop.com/magazine/bonus/smallbusinesses.html

I did some research before I got the Delta 8.
I wanted a 'British' modular console with a decent
reputation and servicablity, at a bargain price.
I had been looking at several Delta 200's and DLX's
but really REALLY wanted (at least) 8 submixes.
I feel I was lucky to get my Delta even though I had to
cobble together the extra mic inputs for it.

good luck
rd

 

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

yeah i was looking at the xr20 also, couldn't afford it though.. i got
lucky--got mine for $450 on ebay w/ deluxe input modules and standard
PSU. the seller had no feedback so i took a chance but it worked out.
it is in really excellent shape (even came with a dust cover!) except
than the control room out and phones only come out of the right channel
(seller didn't tell me about that one). i took the main module out and
checked for loose ribbon connections but the problem remains. i don't
have much tech knowledge so i can't really fix it, unless someone has a
suggestion or an idea of what it might be or what to do?

i noticed that the IC's on the main module are all socketed while the
the mono input modules are soldered. this makes trying some different
ICs on the main module a little easier. i might think about putting
sockets on a mono module so i can try different things out.

it is interesting i've heard several people talk about classical
recording on this mixer--what makes it better suited for that? what i
am recording is far from classical, hope it works out for me.

yes they are big! my 16/4 is twice the size and weight of my mackie
1604. maybe thats why they are unpopular.. i was surprised to not find
much info or discussion on the soundcraft delta when i searched the
net.

i am really mostly using mine as a line level mixer for tracking synths
and effects. for the price the sound is fantastic. of course i always
want better but i am not sure how worthwhile an 'audio upgrades' mod
would be considering i'm not using the mic pre's. i will probably send
them 2 channels first and see how worth it it is.

 

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

lorin just saw your post--yes i am that bastard ; ) i've got 2 words
for you--auction sniper (dot com). if it makes you feel any better the
headphones/cntrl room doesn't work properly. i do need all the inputs
so i can't sell it to you but if you end up finding a tub for your
modules and you want to sell some of those stereo modules i'd be
interested as i need more inputs too..

 

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

lorin just saw your post--yes i am that bastard ; ) i've got 2 words
for you--auction sniper (dot com). if it makes you feel any better
the
headphones/cntrl room doesn't work properly. i do need all the inputs

so i can't sell it to you but if you end up finding a tub for your
modules and you want to sell some of those stereo modules i'd be
interested as i need more inputs too.. if you (or anybody else) have a
master module for sale i'd be interested too..

 

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

You bastard! That's MY board! I got busy at work and couldn't get to a
computer to bid at the last minute like I was supposed to. You must
live in New York if you have it already.

I already a bunch of Delta parts, but only 8/4/2 chassis (one desktop
and one rackmount. I need a 16ch tub so I can track an entire band at
once.

Hey, do you need all those inputs? Wanna trade yours for an 8/4/2 plus
some cash? I have all kinds of extra modules and only use it for
tracking, so I pulled out the subgroups (don't need 'em) and dropped in
four stereo strips instead. That gives me 16/2 (8 mono mic strips, 4
stereo line strips). I could send you both the stereo strips *and* the
subgroups so you can configure it however you want.

--
"It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!"
- Lorin David Schultz
in the control room
making even bad news sound good

(Remove spamblock to reply)

<antonlamont45@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1111542371.624160.162600@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> I just bought a soundcraft delta 200 16/4/2 board. definitely a step
> up from my mackie. (twice the size too unfortunately). I bought it
> because it was modular (and therefore easily upgradeable) and fit my
> needs configuration-wise as well as cheep. so far i'm really happy
> with it. I'd like to start a thread regarding this board as i did a
> search and didn't find much discussion about it.
>
> Any owners out there? what version do you have?
>
> where can i get manual, schematics? soundcraft website has a 'user
> guide' download but that is basically just a summary of the unit.
> where
> do you get faders? can you use the ones from digikey or are they
> different? how about pots?
>
> Have you done any mods to it? Have you replaced the opamps (TL072 i
> think)? Are the socketed or soldered to the board? what replacements
> did you use? have you tried upgrading the PSU?
>
> how about the "Audio Upgrades" mod? anyone tried this? they charge
> $150
> per channel to "replace op-amps, E.Q. caps, coupling
> caps,direct-couple
> audio path, install feedback caps and more." (www.audioupgrades.com)
> wondering if its worth it for a couple channels.
>
> here's a link to a tapeop interview with jim williams from audio
> upgrades where he explains the board and his upgrades a little:
>
> http/www.tapeop.com/magazine/bonus/smallbusinesses.html
>

 

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"Frank Stearns" <franks.pacifier.com@pacifier.net> wrote in message
news:1141rdh8l60ka07@corp.supernews.com...
> antonlamont45@yahoo.com writes:
> One step at a time... My Delta was in a smoker's studio; damn near every
> sw was filthy. Most pots okay, though; a nice surprise. I've replaced all
> the mix switches, all the channel, line/mic, phantom, and EQ switches, and
> few other parts here and there. Also did the TB switch. What a PIA that
> was, but it brought the TB back to life. I just wish I could mod the TB sw
> to be momentary instead of lock. Oh well.
>


If the TB switch is the standard Soundcraft (Alps) switch it can easily be
modified to momentary by removing the small metal staple thing on the top of
the switch. Have a practice on one of the switches you replaced if you
still have one.

Gareth. .

 

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

In article <1111542371.624160.162600@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> antonlamont45@yahoo.com writes:

> I just bought a soundcraft delta 200 16/4/2 board. definitely a step up
> from my mackie. (twice the size too unfortunately). I bought it because
> it was modular (and therefore easily upgradeable)

Sounds to me like you're looking for a project.

> where can i get manual, schematics? soundcraft website has a 'user
> guide' download but that is basically just a summary of the unit. where
> do you get faders? can you use the ones from digikey or are they
> different? how about pots?

The Delta series was new enough so that it used "OEM-type" parts,
parts that you can't easily replace with generic parts. You can often
find pots and faders that will work with a little mechanical
modification, but the way you approach this is to buy a couple of what
you can find and then see what it takes to match them up with the
board. You may still be able to get replacements from whatever
Soundcraft calls a parts department today, but if you want better-than
parts, you have to do some diggign (or find someone who's already done
that).

> Have you done any mods to it? Have you replaced the opamps (TL072 i
> think)? Are the socketed or soldered to the board? what replacements
> did you use? have you tried upgrading the PSU?

Have you even pulled out a module and looked at it? If your intent was
to modify the console, it seems that you would have already
investigated whether chips were socketed or soldered. If you can lift
the power supply, you could almost certainly improve things by
upgrading it - but in what way? One of the things that most modest
priced console power supplies lack is overvoltage protection - if
something goes haywire in the power supply, it can blow out a
substantial portion of the board.

> how about the "Audio Upgrades" mod? anyone tried this? they charge $150
> per channel to "replace op-amps, E.Q. caps, coupling caps,direct-couple
> audio path, install feedback caps and more." (www.audioupgrades.com)
> wondering if its worth it for a couple channels.

Well, that answers your question about whether modifications are
possible. I'd suggest that you send him a couple of channels and
decide for yourself whether it's worth it. Jim is often pretty free
with information about what his upgrades involve, so he might jump in
here and give you some suggestions (but not ALL of his secrets). But
in general, I've never heard a report of an Audio Upgrades
modification that someone didn't think was a worthwhile improvement.
Whether or not you think the console is worth 16 x $150 more if you
modify all the channels is your decision. If he has a modification to
the master section, that might be a good thing to try first since
everything goes through that.


--
I'm really Mike Rivers (mrivers@d-and-d.com)
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

 

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

well i wasn't necessarily looking for a project when i bought this
board--one of my prerequisites for buying an older board was that it
was in excellent shape and modular (for repair's sake). the fact that
it was upgradable was a big plus though.

although i am not experienced (cable making and circuit bending is the
extent of my knowledge) it is very tempting to want to tweak this
board, knowing that it is possible, call it geek impulse. of coarse i
do not want to do anything that would fry it by overloading the PSU, so
i am reading and learning. it will be a while before my soldering iron
touches that thing, but i look forward to the day that it does..

btw, mike i have been lurking for a while on this board and have gained
much from reading your posts. please let me know if you have any
reading recommendations to get me started on the path i am likely to
follow; ie audio circuit building.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

well i wasn't necessarily looking for a project when i bought this
board--one of my prerequisites for buying an older board was that it
was in excellent shape and modular (for repair's sake). the fact that
it was upgradable was a big plus though.


although i am not experienced (cable making and circuit bending is the
extent of my knowledge) it is very tempting to want to tweak this
board, knowing that it is possible, call it geek impulse. of coarse i

do not want to do anything that would fry it by overloading the PSU, so

i am reading and learning. it will be a while before my soldering
iron
touches that thing, but i look forward to the day that it does..


btw, mike i have been lurking for a while on this board and have gained

much from reading your posts. please let me know if you (or anyone
else) have any
reading recommendations to get me started on the path i am likely to
follow; ie audio circuit building.

 

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

does anyone know if there a meter bridge option for the delta 200 16ch?
i think i heard the delta 8 had one.. i would assume no as i've never
seen one but just thought i'd check..

also, there are 2 blank panels on the back-any one know what options
these are for?

 

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

<antonlamont45@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> [...] if you (or anybody else) have a
> master module for sale i'd be interested too..


I have spare input modules (that I'm not anxious to sell until I get a
bigger board and know what I'm going to need) but no extra master
sections. The guy who sold me the rackmount tub offered me one, but I
didn't want it at the time. You could see if he still has it. I think
I got it from Allen Corneau. I don't have his contact info anymore but
he posts here from time to time.

If anyone has a 16ch Delta to sell (shortloaded is fine), lemme know.

--
"It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!"
- Lorin David Schultz
in the control room
making even bad news sound good

(Remove spamblock to reply)

 

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"Gareth Magennis" <sound.service@btconnect.com> writes:

>"Frank Stearns" <franks.pacifier.com@pacifier.net> wrote in message
>news:1141rdh8l60ka07@corp.supernews.com...
>> antonlamont45@yahoo.com writes:

>> few other parts here and there. Also did the TB switch. What a PIA that
>> was, but it brought the TB back to life. I just wish I could mod the TB sw
>> to be momentary instead of lock. Oh well.
>>

>If the TB switch is the standard Soundcraft (Alps) switch it can easily be
>modified to momentary by removing the small metal staple thing on the top of
>the switch. Have a practice on one of the switches you replaced if you
>still have one.

I know what you mean, and that's what I was hoping, but the latching is
integrated into the switch with a plastic plug of some sort, as I recall.
Still, I did try on an old switch and the whole thing came apart. Sigh.

Thanks anyway,

Frank
Mobile Audio
--
.

 

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

antonlamont45 wrote:
> does anyone know if there a meter bridge option for the delta 200
16ch?
> i think i heard the delta 8 had one.. i would assume no as i've
never
> seen one but just thought i'd check..

I've never seen one on any 200Delta and there's
no mention in any of the literature about an option.
Part of the reason I jumped on the Delta 8 was the
included meterbridge. All except the very earliest
Delta 8's had the meterbridge as standard.
The Venue's had it as an option.
Since the Delta 200 shares the basic frame with
the Delta8 and the Venue/VenueII it would be possible
to adapt one on but wiring it up would be a chore,
but each mono input and the group and master
outputs have places for connection of metering.

> also, there are 2 blank panels on the back-any one know what options
> these are for?

The blank panels are there to allow some of the
features of the other series boards such as the
VCA/video interface on the 200 Delta audio-follow-video
version, the dual 2track/dual CR monitors and the 16
track tape returns on my Delta 8, a multicore ELCO
connector for the Venue's mic inputs, and the connector
for the meterbridge.
My Delta was modified for muting the CR outputs when a
mic channel was active and the connection for a
"ON THE AIR" type sign went through one of these
blanks. (a mod I have undone)

rd

 

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

In article <1111602910.927356.291550@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> antonlamont45@yahoo.com writes:

> btw, mike i have been lurking for a while on this board and have gained
> much from reading your posts. please let me know if you have any
> reading recommendations to get me started on the path i am likely to
> follow; ie audio circuit building.

There really hasn't been a lot written about that sort of thing.
Mostly people learn by experimenting and finding out what doesn't
work. I wrote a couple of articles in Recording several years ago
about soldering and working on circuit boards, as well as a couple of
articles on designing your own little useful gadgets, but nothing
about what might make good substitutions, where to start guessing, and
how to figure out if you've done good or bad.

I think Monte McGuire may have written something along that line in
the audiophile magazine he writes for sometimes.


--
I'm really Mike Rivers (mrivers@d-and-d.com)
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

 

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

for those that have the cps 250 psu(i think this comes with 16-24 input
configs), does yours buzz (mechanically)? mine has a 60hz buzz. its
not in the audio..but just coming from the unit itself. it is present
when disconnected from the board as well. i've never had an external
psu so i'm not sure if this is normal or the sign that it needs
maintenence (recap maybe?)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Mine has a newer DCP 200 power supply, and it's not noisy at all.
Could you have a transformer humming in there?

Al

On 24 Mar 2005 23:04:23 -0800, "antonlamont45"
<antonlamont45@yahoo.com> wrote:

>for those that have the cps 250 psu(i think this comes with 16-24 input
>configs), does yours buzz (mechanically)? mine has a 60hz buzz. its
>not in the audio..but just coming from the unit itself. it is present
>when disconnected from the board as well. i've never had an external
>psu so i'm not sure if this is normal or the sign that it needs
>maintenence (recap maybe?)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

play on wrote:
> Mine has a newer DCP 200 power supply, and it's not noisy at all.
> Could you have a transformer humming in there?
>
> Al
>
> On 24 Mar 2005 23:04:23 -0800, "antonlamont45"
> <antonlamont45@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> >for those that have the cps 250 psu(i think this comes with 16-24
input
> >configs), does yours buzz (mechanically)? mine has a 60hz buzz.
its
> >not in the audio..but just coming from the unit itself. it is
present
> >when disconnected from the board as well. i've never had an
external
> >psu so i'm not sure if this is normal or the sign that it needs
> >maintenence (recap maybe?)

Does the CPS250 use the 10 pin connector at
both ends of the PS cable ? Any others wish to
comment which connector is on either end of
their PS cable I would appreciate the info,
I am currently looking for a spare.

Mine is the CPS450B (10 pin) power supply,
and it also hums a bit but it's not real bad.
The CPS series supplies are standard design with
60Hz mains transformer and (I believe) the DCP
series are 'switching' supplies with a toroid
transformer that if it made any noise would not
be at 60Hz.

I doubt a recap would help your CPS250 as the
noise you hear is mechanical vibration, not
electrically transferred outside the unit.
Try removing the cover panels and see if
it goes away, if so some carefully placed
small pieces of weatherstipping might help.

rd

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

actually mine is the CPS 150, not 250. the cable is hardwired to the
psu and is a 5 pin connection to the board. i took the case off but
that did not stop the buzz, i think it is coming from the transformer.
i know transformers buzz sometimes, its not a huge problem as i can put
the psu in my closet, but i'm just wondering if this is normal for this
unit.

play on, can you tell me any specs of the DCP 200? i'm assuming that
it is a step up from the CPS 150?