Aniol1349 said:
Hey,
I'm starting to work more often with different console modules which are sent to me and I would like to workout a good way to test them on the bench as far as audio I/O and power connection.
What would be the best approach for this? attaching connectors to the IDC cables? Are the IDC cable pinouts universal for each console brand?
I would appreciate any tips and suggestions.
Thanks for your time
There is
nothing common between console manufacturers as far as pinouts are concerned. Everyone did what suited themselves best for their particular product design. Within each console manufacturer there is seldom commonality between connector pinouts. The only place you are likely to get commonality is within a specific product type/range. It's all down to convenience and module facilities.
It's only worth building a specific test jig if you are going to be testing "N" number of a particular type of module, and preferrably on a regular basis to get long-term use/payback out of the test jig, where "N" is the tipping point between efficiency and the irritation of swapping and plugging numerous wires (and likely getting the odd one wrong and wasting time chasing non-faults).
This is a test jig that I have designed to test the Neve VR Equaliser sub-assembly. It is but one of a range of test jigs that are used in my business to make the job more efficient and repeatably accurate.
http://www.cmlaudio.com/ie1324-neve-vr-eq-ev11491-test-jig/#Images
In reality it is a very simple test jig that only does signal routing in and out of the EQ assembly and provides protected power, the point is that it enables efficiency and ensures repeatability.
Console channel test jigs are a bit more complex in that to do it properly and fully, you would need to simulate the interactions with the rest of the console, including:
Mix/sum outputs (auxes, groups, main, pfl, afl).
Control/logic (pfl, afl, solo). The more complex modules may have central command for mic/line switching, aux pre-post switching, fader swap, etc, etc.
The intereactions need to be accounted for as a 2-way street: If you press SOLO on the module under test, what does that do to the rest of the console, and likewise, if SOLO on another module is pressed, how does it affect the module under test?
Accurate documentation for the module under test is
essential. If you are just starting out on this adventure, and with respect this line from your opening post suggests you are, "
Are the IDC cable pinouts universal for each console brand?", then don't underestimate the value of the console tech manual. Even after 33+ years of audio electronics putting food on my table I will not work on a console (or individual modules) unless I have the schematics...... customers are not prepared to pay workshop rates for me to decypher and reverse engineer a module so as to fix a fault. For example, 4 hours or more of decyphering to do a repair that with the schematics would take no more than an hour is a model for business failure and customers feeling ripped-off.
Hope this helps by shedding some light from another perspective.
Gareth.