SSL AWS Desk faders issues

[r2d2]

Hi to everybody ,
I accompanied a friend which had to do the analog mix
of a couple rock-blues songs ,
at a studio equipped with SSL AWS console ,
and a good number of nice analog outboards .... ,

during the mix session various moving faders of the AWS desk
gave some problem of "instability" ,
and it was necessary to place them several times at the necessary point
to "stabilize" them ,
even having to slide them several times up and down throughout their excursion ,
as if the contact rails were dirty ,

the owner of studio told us that soon he would have to pass the technician to solve the problem ,

back at home checked a bit online about this issue ,
and found that many AWS desk owners
have had issues with the faders ,
and that they have been forced to replace them
for fix the problem ,
(what a "shame" for a more than 60,000 bucks console..)

but the faders can be cleaned as for Penny & Giles ,
and recalibrated ?

thanks for any related info !!!
cheers .

 

[pucho812]

you can clean them. It’s pretty straight forward. I have done several consoles worth. Ssl has videos showing how to do that if you have questions.

 

[pucho812]

If you happen to require replacing them, iirc there is a solder connection for the motor(red and black wire) and a multipin connector that gets unplugged.

 

[r2d2]

you can clean them. It’s pretty straight forward. I have done several consoles worth. Ssl has videos showing how to do that if you have questions.

Thanks for info , pucho812 !!
checked a bit online for video about how clean AWS faders ,
unfortunately (as already..) found only various AWS (..rather angry) owners that have had to replace them ,

if possible please post related links
thanks

 

[pucho812]

Only links I know of come from ssl but you have to sign up on their support page

 

[r2d2]

Only links I know of come from ssl but you have to sign up on their support page

Thanks for info !
do you know if the replacement faders are Penny & Giles ?

 

[pucho812]

Thanks for info !
do you know if the replacement faders are Penny & Giles ?

Replacement faders are alps

 

[JohnRoberts]

Replacement faders are alps

The alps K-fader series were decent (two drill rod wiper guides). I used them last century in my big mixers.

JR

 

[SIXTYNINER]

SSL desk with faders issues after some year ?
they no longer mount Penny & Giles ?

...."Asian contamination" ?

 

[pucho812]

SSL desk with faders issues after some year ?
they no longer mount Penny & Giles ?

...."Asian contamination" ?

Some p&g models are end of life. The alps as found in the aws and duality desks are quite good. Every fader needs a cleaning now and then. It’s usual maintenance

 

[SIXTYNINER]

Some p&g models are end of life. The alps as found in the aws and duality desks are quite good. Every fader needs a cleaning now and then. It’s usual maintenance

Of course the maintenance of the analog gear need be done !
to always have the top performance ,

but that on the AWS 900 and on the more expensive Duality the faders are Alps (normally found on remote cotrollers , and so much less expensive desks )
no "sounds good" at all .

 

[pucho812]

Of course the maintenance of the analog gear need be done !
to always have the top performance ,

but that on the AWS 900 and on the more expensive Duality the faders are Alps (normally found on remote cotrollers , and so much less expensive desks )
no "sounds good" at all .

Never heard a person complain about the sound of a fader. Look and feel sure but never heard about sound of a fader.

 

[SIXTYNINER]

Never heard a person complain about the sound of a fader. Look and feel sure but never heard about sound of a fader.

...... c'mon there is always a first time ...

but like if in a supercar the wheels are the same as in a hatchback that is worth a small fraction of that ,
it is still okay to pay for the supercar as if it had supercar wheels ?

 

[Brian Roth]

Hmmmm....maybe I've been lucky since most desks I've used had P&G faders....never had a second thought about "sound" the faders added.

Or....do P&G faders impart a "bad sound"?

What about TKD faders?

Are we counting how many angels can dance on the head of a pin? lol

Bri

 

[pucho812]

...... c'mon there is always a first time ...

but like if in a supercar the wheels are the same as in a hatchback that is worth a small fraction of that ,
it is still okay to pay for the supercar as if it had supercar wheels ?

I believe p&g discontinued the main fader they use.

 

[totoxraymond]

Never heard a person complain about the sound of a fader. Look and feel sure but never heard about sound of a fader.

I do complain a lot about "fader sound". Those pesky motorized faders can be very noisy! Ever used a Pro Control? Or those Avid S6? Faders are great until they die, then they can be noisy as hell!

Of course, i'm talking about mechanical noise.

Thomas

 

[pucho812]

I do complain a lot about "fader sound". Those pesky motorized faders can be very noisy! Ever used a Pro Control? Or those Avid S6? Faders are great until they die, then they can be noisy as hell!

Of course, i'm talking about mechanical noise.

Thomas

Does it end up in the audio path?

 

[SIXTYNINER]

Does it end up in the audio path?

Probably no ,
but if in the AWS they were Penny & Giles
surely the problem would not be there .

 

[pucho812]

Probably no ,
but if in the AWS they were Penny & Giles
surely the problem would not be there .

They are not there with the faders they currently use.

 

[totoxraymond]

Does it end up in the audio path?

Depends what you call the audio path. It surely gets to my ears and it's always annoying to hear a fader rattle during a mix.
And i'm not talking about the client asking "what's this noise?".