Poor signal with Avalon Compressor and Patchbay

[rosestudios]

Hey guys,

I'm looking for help with something pretty weird, I have an Avalon 747 sitting on my patchbay and it's having some problems.  The left channel works fine on the patchbay, but the right channel has terribly weak signal and isn't even usable.  When I just directly send signal out of outputs on the patchbay to the compressor both channels work, I've swapped cables and put the left channel where the right channel is on the patchbay but the left channel worked fine.  Is there something strange where the right channel simply doesn't play nice with a patchbay?  Thoughts/suggestions much appreciated.

 

[ln76d]

Probably posting patchbay model would more helpful to find some solution 

 

[rosestudios]

Sorry, I'm using a Neutrik NYS-SPP-L1, essentially a TRS patch bay, the specific patch module is set to Thru. 

 

[pucho812]

I would  guess that the patchbay  needs a reflow of solder. Those patchbays  are designed with pcb mounted jacks and often times through use the solder connections for those jacks can break/crack. I have seen it more times then I can remember. I also remember the behringer 3000 patchbays which are similar in design having less of that issue then the neutirk.  All you need to do to fix the problem is to take the patchbay apart, you can pop out each individual channel column and reflow the connections with solder. Should fix it right up.  Then repeat the process as needed down the road. 

 

[keefaz]

Yes, reflow solder often solve problem with these patchbays.  Also if I recall correctly, the grey jack has switching issue and works better if a jack is  permanently connected into it.
But the overall design is flawed anyway as there is also the problem with disconnected  jacks at rear of patchbay after a while of use

 

[pucho812]

I think their sole purpose is to look nice, because use them often enough and the solder joints crack or get one heavy handed guy and the same thing.

 

[rosestudios]

Sorry, but I'm not sure this solution makes sense as I tested the signal going through the same patchbay module but going to the left channel and it was fine?  In my troubleshooting logic I'm pretty sure that would eliminate the patchbay as the culprit?  I can definitely open up the patchbay and check the module but I'm just not certain this is the issue.

 

[pucho812]

Sorry, but I'm not sure this solution makes sense as I tested the signal going through the same patchbay module but going to the left channel and it was fine?  In my troubleshooting logic I'm pretty sure that would eliminate the patchbay as the culprit?  I can definitely open up the patchbay and check the module but I'm just not certain this is the issue.

There are very few things that could be wrong or causing fault here here.  You have 4 cables, 4 patch points( 2 input and 2 output) and the avalon  747 compressor.  You can test the avalon compressor  away from the patchbay by just plugging in and out. Do you get proper level in and out on both sides, is the unit working as it is supposed to? If so then it's not the avalon compressor. If not then you need to send that unit in for repair, most likely to Avalon. as I don't believe they have any service centers.    From there you can test the patchbay and cabling associated with it.  Assuming you are using trs - xlr cables  make a loop through  connecting the xlr's together. Then send a signal, a sine wave at a known level and frequency through one input  patch point and measure the associated  output patch point with it. If there is no problems, the level coming in would be the same coming out as you are making a long loop.  If there is a problem we can track that down easily.

 

[emrr]

These patchbays are fairly intermittent in operation with age.  I've found it best to just throw them out and replace them every 3-5 years.  There are so many things that will make one intermittent, and you can temporarily solve it with exercise, to have it go funky again.  Sideways cable stretch pressure, etc etc etc.  In my experience anything that goes funky with plastic frame sockets is more often than not the socket experiencing plastic fatigue and being unable to keep correct tension on the metal parts anymore.  I've seen this in countless instrument amps as well as recorders that had constant direct patching to the sockets.

None of that may be your problem, but consider it.  At very least grab 2 modules from a different section of the bay and try again after confirming the compressor works fine with the patchbay totally removed form the picture. 

 

[synthiaks]

I dont know IF you still have this problem but to me it sounds like som TRS, Bal, unbal cable problem. I would just sit down, uncable and check that all cables are what they should be.