Potentiometer Advice (General model related)

[Morrow]

I've discovered that my old SoundWorkshop Console's panning and bleed problems are actually the result of bad pots (I replaced the existing pots with Mil-Spec Clarostats on a channel and both problems went away).
Now I've got to replace the pots on all 20 channels and need brand / model advice.

Each channel needs:
-One Linear Taper 10K pot for panning, center detent would be great.
-One Audio Taper 10K pot for the output level (to the mixbuss).

Both are the typical 1/4" round shaft sizes with metal bodies.


I've read the other three threads on pots in general, and it seems like Alps, Bourns, Clarostat and Alpha Taiwan are good to go with. But, I'm having trouble figuring out exactly which Series of each of these people are commenting on.
For example, Bournes has a ton of different lines that they make, many of which seem to fit the size and specs that I'm looking for.
Does a metal or plastic body make a difference?

Can you guys recommend a model or two to at least try out? I don't have a ton of cash, so I was hoping to spend no more than a couple hundred dollars for all 40 pots.
Model numbers would be a great help!

Thanks everybody,
Chris

 

[mikep]

soundworkshop counsoles can sound really good. consider yourself lucky that many different types will fit! if you can afford it look at bournes 91.

 

[fazeka]

You can do forty Bourns 91s for 2 bills.

 

[David Kulka]

I think I have what you need, will PM you.

David

 

[Morrow]

Thanks a lot guys. I found them and they look great. Things are making a lot more sense.

The Audio taper level one, has it's case soldered to ground. Can i get away with just soldering the little tab on the side of the plastic ones to ground?

Any tips on finding a Linear taper that has a center detent for panning?

 

[Morrow]

Just as an update on this for anyone who is in the market for pots:

I have ordered a bunch of pots from mouser.

The bournes sound fantastic. You guys are absolutely right about them. Unless I'm hearing things (which is always possible), they sound a lot better than the clarostat military spec wirewound ones. Although they definitely don't feel great. I found a center detent bournes and it's on back order from mouser.

I also found an Taiwan Alpha center detent 10k linear pot that mouser stocks, P/N 313-2000F-10K. It's center detent, the shaft fits, it feels great, and it's less then $2. Here's the catch: It's a 16mm Taiwan Alpha pot! I'm worried about the quality of these, but all I can do is solder it up and try it out! I'll let you guys know what happens. Anybody have any bad luck with these?


I still don't know what to do about the 91 series being plastic, since the monitor pot (audio level to the mixbus) originally was metal and had a ground wire soldered to the ground, but I'm not currently hearing any additional noise from not having it soldered.

 

[thermionic]

FWIW, I think there's something to be said for Pan pots without detents.

Unless it's a very expensive pot, the detent will never fall at exactly 50% travel. You can compensate by fiddling with the locking nut, but this is very awkward to get right - and impossible if you have a locating lug.

There is an argument in having a non-detented pot, calibrating the pointer on the knob via an accurate dB meter, and tightening the grub screw when you have perfect balance in the middle of the centre marker.

Just my 1D

BTW - Bourns 'sound good' because they're CP. CP is much quieter in operation than carbon, which gives it a different sound during operation, i.e. sweeps etc. I'm somewhat dubious as to the differences between the sound of different pots in the static position though...

Justin

 

[rafafredd]

OMEG will do any pot you want, even with a perfect 50% detent in the middle, and 1% tolerance on the entire rotation path... And all this for a very reasonable price. Really, it´s generally cheap. Try them. And it´s plastic, not carbon, just like the bourns you liked so much...