Elma Neve rotary switch

[reinw33]

Hello everyone,

hope you are having a good time here.

Looking a at the schematic of the Neve preamp 1073, it looks like it uses a Make before brake type of switch.
Is there an alternative to the 3-Layer Elma 24 pin switch (?), like a PCB with a smaller rotary switch, would that be feasible?

Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ruffrecords]

There are a few designs around that use a 3 bank 12 way PCB mounting Grayhill switch. Obviously the gain steps are fewer and/or coarser than the original.

Cheers

ian

 

[merlin]

Yeah Heritage Audio do that, standard 12-way rotary switch, fewer gain steps

 

[reinw33]

There are a few designs around that use a 3 bank 12 way PCB mounting Grayhill switch. Obviously the gain steps are fewer and/or coarser than the original.

Cheers

ian

Hello ruffrecords,

Ok, this might be a viable option too, but I don't know the exact work around yet with this switch.

Here in Germany, the biggest hurdle is finding the right part and brand, I think,
I saw the replacement Elma switches for somewhere over 100€-150€ IIRC.
But the grayhills aren't even in speciality stores, exclusively on german digi-okay and the bay(s).
But thanks, it's an option after wall.

 

[reinw33]

Yeah Heritage Audio do that, standard 12-way rotary switch, fewer gain steps

Hi merlin,

Do you know, how many banks the heritage audio rotary switch has for gain? is it 3 banks or how many?

I would basically have to customize a bunch of resistor values for the alternative as gain switch and discard the rest.

It would be really cool, if someone had already done this before and published a DIY. Is there one doing exactly this?

I couldn't find one for the original elma yet.

But the smaller rotary switch should be a very similiar process, just customized/summed resistor values.

It should be doable, but I just haven't be able to focus on it in depth yet, been just too busy.

But it is nice to be informed, that there is a viable alternative design, that is used in gear.

 

[Murdock]

There are alternative switches. I try to find the name of the company.
Or you often can find the original Elma’s on eBay for really cheap. I have 4 of those and I think I paid maybe 15,- per switch.

 

[merlin]

Do you know, how many banks the heritage audio rotary switch has for gain? is it 3 banks or how many?

I'm not sure but it kinda looks like 4 in this image?

 

[Neperdun]

I have a lot of soviet-russian switches like this...
ALso, what about to use less contacts - less steps? 12 instead 24 for example...

 

[13engrsapper]

Technology is getting to the point where you could Goo print (3d print) them, designs like the rotary switches found in the Studer 189's come to mind.
That being said, I will see what we might have laying around.

I have an old German dual filter unit here somewhere. They just used sprokets and gears to conect the individual switches together, making them ganged, lol. Cool solution. It looked like a timing chain setup in there. Just use three of these, and some gears, lol. https://www.blore-ed.com/product-page/bv22889

We are almost forced to use rotary encoder swithcing and a kajillion relays.

Those nice old switches are getting hard to find in any quantity and in a decent quality unfortunately.

 

[13engrsapper]

here ya go - I can't beat this price even if I find some.

https://www.surplussales.com/Switches/SWRoMisc-1.html scroll about half way down.

Rotary Switch
3P24T / 2 amp / 15º Index

Enlarge Image
(SWR) 08-064-00-05
Rotary switch. 3P24T, 3 wafers. 1P24T per wafer. 15º index. 2 amp contacts. 2-1/4" body diameter. 2-1/8" behind panel depth. 1/4"D x 1/4"L shaft. NSN: 5930-01-025-9202.

 

[Dylan W]

On a budget, your best best is one of these. $16.99 shipped.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/302197465303

Member @zayance made PCBs that I believe will fit these switches, not sure if they're still available. If not, it wouldn't be too hard to design your own.

https://groupdiy.com/threads/zayance-pcb-nu-var-nu-fed-sta-rude-tube-mkpsu-etc.53011/