PIMP MY SOUNDCRAFT 600 PROJECT

[THE BAD DOGS]

I’ve buyed a Soundcraft 600 in working order, just two owners before, always in quiet studios. Reading all the threads I want to mod it in this way :

• Put transfos in input line modules as describe here by Jensen :
http://www.jensen-transformers.com/as/as003.pdf
They have a plug and play box they sell :
http://www.jensen-transformers.com/datashts/pi2xx.pdf
In fact Jensen transfos are expensive so I prefer to do it my self with Edcor Transfos (10 U.S.D. each) in a steel box :
http://www.edcorusa.com/Products/ShowProduct.aspx?ID=287

• New ground schematic as describe here :
http://www.tangible-technology.com/articles/200b.html

• Change the caps, a lot of thread about, perhaps I will chose this way, because the man had worked  for Soundcraft on the design of this consoles :
http://forum.analogconsole.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=732

• Changes TL072, there’s so many opinions, and problems with oscillation, caps, instability, upgrading power supply to support modifications, etc… somethings not usefull for me. So I think I will test the TL2072, who’s perhaps not the best but sell as a direct replacement by Texas Instruments :
http://www.digchip.com/datasheets/download_datasheet.php?id=980724&part-number=TLE2072ACD

• Put an A.P.I. output module in the master section like this :
http://classicapi.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_46&products_id=81

• Upgrade the power supply, but I’ve no idea how to do it?

• What about buffering the vu-meters?

So my questions are :

• Does this project make sense for you?
• Did you have opinions on my choices?
• Did you have another ideas?

 

[phishman13]

This is pretty much what I am trying to do with my Ramsa console I have except no input transformer addition or output section upgrade. 

If you haven't seen this page yet, you should definitely check it out.  Its about completely refurbishing a Ghost, so not the same model, but same manufacturer, maybe some of the info will be useful to you.

http://www.underthebigtree.com/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=Soundcraft+Ghost+Restoration+Project

 

[THE BAD DOGS]

Thanks i will check.

I think the major upgrade who will directly make the console sounds much better is the API master module. I hope a lot from this.

 

[Nora]

Did a summing amp mod some time ago on a SC 1600.

Used JH 990 opamp in inverting mode and sowter 9825 transfo on the output

The difference was amazing, worked away the nasty highs/high midrange and brought back alot of 'bottom'.
The transformer was most noticeable on the lowest end of the spectrum (obviously)

putting better opamps in the monitor section also helped


good luck!!

 

[radiance]

I would concentrate on the summing amps / master section first before doing any channels.

 

[wiz1der]

I had Jim Williams at Audio UPgrades do my master, one of my buss channels, and one input channel... night and day difference! If i can get up enough money, i would like to do the other 7 buss channels.

 

[THE BAD DOGS]

Thanks for answer. I think working first on the master section is the best to beginning. I read a lot on vu-meter distortion problem. Do you think this type of console need vu meter buffer like J.L.M. audio sells?

 

[abbey road d enfer]

The meters are already buffered on the 600; the PCB at the back of the meters holds the buffer and rectifier.

 

[THE BAD DOGS]

Cool, something not to do

 

[THE BAD DOGS]

I’ve listed all the opamp replacement’s opinion i’ve read about on this excel sheet (my choice in green) :

http://dl.free.fr/mbXjtTJYd

My conclusions are:

• I prefer direct supply replacement, I don’t want to upgrade the power supply.
• I prefer opamp built for high audio application, better than video, data acquisition, medical measure etc…
• I prefer low cost chip, I don’t want to buy OP627 (14 €!!!!) because there’s a lot of opamp in the console.

 

[THE BAD DOGS]

Do you think with my choices i need ad or remove caps to stabilise opamps or not?

 

[wiz1der]

hey did you ever get this going??

 

[thomasdf]

Same question here... I am really interested in these mods!

Thomas