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[nmw]

lol,
where did you get the caps from. who makes those knobs anyways?

[compasspnt]

I can understand changing the knobs when they look awful (first thing I did with STC-8, for instance), but on a Sontec???

They are perfect "The Way We Were!"  (Which was mastered through one anyway.)

[Jerry Tubb]

Phil Demetro wrote on Wed, 22 February 2006 18:30

Jerry, Sontec still working? Sure looks like the previous owner took care of it!

Yes Phil, works & sounds like a dream, thanks for asking.

Used it on four records this week already.

Phil Demetro wrote on Wed, 22 February 2006 18:30

Here's my "colors of the rainbow" Sontec.

Oooooh Nice.... de colores.... now I'm jealous!

Just curious if you modded yours for 0.5dB boost-cut?

In Sontec Heaven...

[Phil Demetro]

I knew the caps would get a reaction...
Thanks to everyone who had fun at my expense! I hope you all feel better.

Having and "Alternative lifestyle Sontec" is finally legal in Canada - well  not quite legal but it won't get me busted.

The caps I got from Elma Electronics? These are the "collet" style knob caps and like eveything else getting tougher to source.
I gave all my spares "caps" to my good mate Noah. He has a vintage Sontec - a modded "4 channel" one. Bas*#$%!
The order clerk at Elma was cool. He actually knew who Burgess MacNeal was when I told him what the caps were for. He told me that he had quite a bit of experience on a "NEV" console!  I just didn't have the heart to correct his pronunciation!

I haven't had the 1/2 dB step mod done to mine. Sure sounds like  good idea. Mine is the 12x 1db steps one. With the C range amps. Trust plays a really big factor here. Who can do the job reliably? Better yet, who can do the mod reliably in under 18 months? For instance:
I have a focusrite 330 comp out getting the "oceanway" mod and it's taking a long time. The other guys joke that I should take it off my gear list until it actually comes back. It has been that long!

It's weird how people talk about their possessions like they were alive.

Phil

[bblackwood]

Phil Demetro wrote on Thu, 23 February 2006 00:55

I knew the caps would get a reaction... Thanks to everyone who had fun at my expense! I hope you all feel better.

I do actually, thanks! And thanks for being a good sport.

I have also seen guys use red, black, grey, and white caps on the Sontec, but I've never felt the need to change them out. I mean, it looks so sweet stock.

As for modding the Sontec, you're right - if ever the analogy of 'playing with fire' applied, it's this case. All it takes is one mistake (or not) and *poof*, you're calling everyone one you know looking for spares...

[Jerry Tubb]

bblackwood wrote on Tue, 22 August 2006 08:32

Well, the only piece I'd rather not have if at all possible is the Sontec, which appeared to be sick the other day. After a few little checks I managed (with help from the great Chris Muth) to find the issue and correct it. That being said, I own two Sontecs, just in case...

I'd like to hear a little more about that Brad, I've got one extra "module" for my Sontec, just in case. I suppose that's where the hallowed HS-1000s are (?). Once in a while when I'm changing one of the "shape" knobs I get some funny sounds, but when the switch gets seated properly the noise goes away... other than that it's been perfect, two owners, very low mileage before I got it... now it stays on and in the analog signal path at all times.

JT

[bblackwood]

Jerry Tubb wrote on Tue, 22 August 2006 09:27

I'd like to hear a little more about that Brad, I've got one extra "module" for my Sontec, just in case. I suppose that's where the hallowed HS-1000s are (?). Once in a while when I'm changing one of the "shape" knobs I get some funny sounds, but when the switch gets seated properly the noise goes away... other than that it's been perfect, two owners, very low mileage before I got it... now it stays on and in the analog signal path at all times.

Well, the two big things that can go wrong with the Sontec are the HS2000s going bad (those are the modules in my EQs', a later version of the HS1000 - the HS1000 is a large potted module, the HS2000 is a card) and the switched going bad. Chris Muth can rebuild HS2000s, though it's good to have spares around, but when the Shallco switches go bad, it's way expensive to repair.

My issue was was appeared to be some DC in the right channel. After going through some exercises to try to narrow it down, I started swapping the HS2000's around to see if we could isolate a bad card. The action of removing and replacing the card must have wiped a touch of oxidation off the contacts as the noise immediately went away. All cards were then pulled and the contacts thoroughly cleaned and all is well again...

[Jerry Tubb]

bblackwood wrote on Tue, 22 August 2006 09:45

The action of removing and replacing the card must have wiped a touch of oxidation off the contacts as the noise immediately went away. All cards were then pulled and the contacts thoroughly cleaned and all is well again...

Ahh that's good news, thanks for the tip Brad.

Still, swapping those cards around has to feel a bit risky.

Nothing like a steady hand and a sharp eye!

Mine must be the HS2000 cards, I'll post a pic later if that's OK.

Man I love this EQ, last night did a project where a typical EQ would be:

+1dB at 70Hz for some more oomph in the bass
+1dB at 350Hz for some vocal warmth & fatness
+1dB at16kHz for some nice air on top

all on wide Qs (or Shapes), sounds like a dream.

JT

[bblackwood]

Jerry Tubb wrote on Tue, 22 August 2006 10:25

swapping those cards around has to feel a bit risky.

Nah, no biggie, unless there's a problem with the card. If there is a problem, I'd rather find out when I'm working on it than during a session!

[Jerry Tubb]

bblackwood wrote on Tue, 22 August 2006 09:45

...Chris Muth can rebuild HS2000s, though it's good to have spares around...

Is that a recent development ? If so, that really good news !

Makes the possible volatility of the 432C less of an issue.

I'm sure Chris' services are expensive, but no doubt worth it.

Thanks for the info... JT

[dcollins]

Jerry Tubb wrote on Wed, 23 August 2006 00:30

bblackwood wrote on Tue, 22 August 2006 09:45  ...Chris Muth can rebuild HS2000s, though it's good to have spares around... Is that a recent development ? If so, that really good news ! Makes the possible volatility of the 432C less of an issue. I'm sure Chris' services are expensive, but no doubt worth it.

Does he have sufficient spares for the bent paper-clips that hold those opamps in there?

DC

[Jerry Tubb]

dcollins wrote on Wed, 23 August 2006 02:32

Jerry Tubb wrote on Wed, 23 August 2006 00:30 bblackwood wrote on Tue, 22 August 2006 09:45  ...Chris Muth can rebuild HS2000s, though it's good to have spares around... Is that a recent development ? If so, that really good news ! Makes the possible volatility of the 432C less of an issue. I'm sure Chris' services are expensive, but no doubt worth it. Does he have sufficient spares for the bent paper-clips that hold those opamps in there? DC

So far my biggest issue has been pulling it out of the rack, lifting the hood and adjusting the tension on the knobs ; - )

JT

[Jerry Tubb]

So I pulled out my Sontecs' spare opamp today, examined it closely, and noticed they had scratched the part numbers off of many of the components, to make it difficult to copy or repair.

Interesting strategy at the time, but has it punished Sontec owners in the long run?

JT

[bblackwood]

Jerry Tubb wrote on Tue, 29 August 2006 01:34

So I pulled out my Sontecs' spare opamp today, examined it closely, and noticed they had scratched the part numbers off of many of the components, to make it difficult to copy or repair. Interesting strategy at the time, but has it punished Sontec owners in the long run?

Yes, absolutely. Made recreating the HS2000 nearly impossible (well, that combined with the fact GM wouldn't help out). Luckily, Chris Muth spent the time and energy reverse engineering it for us...

[Matt_G]

Just a question, how does the MEP 250EX compare sonically to the 430/432C's? Do they use the same opamps? HS1000 & HS2000?

Someone has stated that the main difference is not the sound of the units, but that the 250EX has infinitely variable pots whereas the 430/432's are detented making it best for mastering because of the recall capability.

Would you agree with this? has anyone compared the sound of the 250EX with a 432C?

Matt