Sphere/Api 10 channel Sidecar .. New 900 EQs... New AUX Penthouse

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Hi All

This is the 8 bus update. :)

6-3_8bus_new_old72.jpg


This is the before and after conversion of the auditronics 900 8 button bus selector cards.
The original card is on the left.  I discarded the cmos card and designed a 24v relay
card to replace it on the right.  The LEDs on the selector button card have been
changed from 20ma full brightness guys to 10ma guys and the dropping resistors
are changed from the original 5v to allow for 24v for full brightness.

6-3_8bus72.jpg


This is what they look like sitting on their recycled Wheatstone ribbon.
I am using lots of old recycled console parts.  No city dump for any of this "junk" ;D ;D

6-3_buss_meters72.jpg


Here is the FPE metal work for the 8 bus section of the meter bridge.
Uses all recycled auditronics AL39 meters
I still have to design the master section which will include a pair of Dorroughs

6-3_frame3_72.jpg


Here is the latest frame shot.. its growing !! :) :)
(Note the Love child!!)  Thanks Jeff.. more to come

6-3_22193open_spot72.jpg


I needed to find a way to bypass the 500 eq section of the mixer so
here is my solution.  Sphere uses 2 reed spst relays and a 2 transistor
flip-flop circuit to form a spdt relay for all logic.  My 22193 cards have an unstuffed
section on the card for another logic section.  I ran across a bag of 30 NOS relays
that are normally made out of unobtainium.  (Ebay is a great thing!!!)
So I stuffed the unstuffed section. :) :)

6-3_22193input_switch72.jpg



Every thing inside a Sphere is unbalanced so This new section switches
between the input and output of the EQ section.

All for now... Maybe another update by summers end.

GARY


 
WOW. Big project, man! Really nice.

But I have looked up and down for these sphere schematics and can't find anything. Would be nice to know what is going on inside these things. looks promising. Specially the opamps with light bulbs. Did you ever posted the schems?
 
TapeOpAl said:
Any updates gar381? :)

Thanks for asking.  I have been very busy doing lots of outside yard work
on days off this summer but I have done some Sphere work on rainy days :) ;)

I'll have an update in a week or two and with a bit of luck I'll be back full steam ahead
after the weather turns.

GARY
 
Hi guys and gals.. time for my10/20/12 update! :) :)

It was a busy summer doing everything BUT working
on this project.  I did manage to get a few things done
on rainy days off work however.

I now have the 8 bus FPE metalwork done and the 8 bus backplane
in place..
8bus_backplane72.jpg


frame472.jpg


I designed the PCB for the 3 switch micpre section..

3sw_pcb72.jpg


3sw_pcb272.jpg


got them installed to the Sphere 22224 micpre PCB

3sw_install72.jpg


Here is what it looks like from the front..

sw_micpre72.jpg

8bus_micpre72.jpg


Note.. Sphere switched phase on the 900 EQ and not
the micpre.  I am doing it the old fashion way at the micpre
as I don't own any Sphere EQs.

The BP switch will be used for EQ bypass.

More to come....



 
Sphere line ins are unbalanced so I designed a Balanced Receiver PCB.

PCBrecv72.jpg


This PCB hangs off a NC3FD-H-B XLR connector and is designed
To use a 5534 or a DOA depending on how I  stuff it.
The trimmer is for CMRR adjment

5534 version..

5534recv72.jpg


The gar2520-gar1731 ,990 or just about any DOA..

gar1731recv72.jpg


The gar6220  DOA.. (SPA-62 clone in a 2520 format)..

gar6220recv72.jpg


I got to play with these guys to see which version I will use.

Here is a picture of the current Sidecar frame at this time..

frame372.jpg


Still growing and GROWING and GROWING :) :) ;)

On the drawing board at this time are:

FPE Metalwork for the bus and master faders
FPE Metalwork for the master VU meters
CR monitor PCB
Echo return PCB

The final flow chart for the whole Sidecar ( its 95% done
but I am still working on the solo section)

PSU.. at this time its looking like an old Wheatstone console
supply for +16/-16  and 48v phantom
and 3 old power-one 24v supplies (1 for 24v logic and 2 for +24/-24 for the SPA-62s
Note..these are all recycled goodies !

I still have to design the case and patch bays for this guy.
I got some old ADC 1/4" bays laying around that I am thinking of using.

Thats all for now.  With winter coming I should have more time to
work on this project.  I'll try to have another update around Christmas.
Lots to do yet.....

GARY


 
Hi Guys and Gals

I've been kind of busy on this project the last few months !! :)
Still lots to do... But here's the latest update for the New Year.

SPHERE_Bal_receivers72.jpg


The Balanced Receiver PCBs for the line/tape ins are stuffed.
I went with gar6220 DOAs as I figured out how to get good CMRR out of these DOAs.


I was going to scratch build the PSU but this is working out a lot better .

SPHERE_PSU172.jpg


The Wheatstone supply will handle the +/- 16v and +48v duties
for the mic pres and API 500 series stuff.

The rails use 338k 5 amp regulators and will handle any future expansion
to the side car.


The 4U black supply has 3  24volt rails..

SPHERE_PSU_FRONT172.jpg


I am using 3 ebay purchased ($38 each..WOW) Power One  13amp 24volt supplies

SPHERE_PSU372.jpg


One supply will power the logic relays and Leds and the other 2 supplies will
be used for +/- 24 volt rails for the SPA62 and gar6220 DOAs.  This is
big time over kill for this project but the price is right. ;)

More pics...

SPHERE_PSU272.jpg


SPHERE_PSU472.jpg


Note that the Power to the side car will be fed by a chunk of 13/8 cable
using Speakon connectors.


Things are getting to the point that if I'm ever going to wire this guy up
the frame needs to be cased up..  Time to hit the wood shop !

SPHERE_METERS_GLUE72.jpg


I started with the Meter Bridge.

SPHERE_METERS172.jpg


The Meter Bridge contains 11 AL39s out of an old Auditronics 900 Desk.
8 are for the buses, 2 for left/Right and a switchable Aux meter for
Solo, Mono, Echo send Left, Echo send Right and Cue.
An Electrodyne Osc is on the far right.  The left /right AL39s
are mirrored by a pair of dorrough Model 10 meters.

Now for the main console case..

SPHERE_Desk172.jpg


SPHERE_Desk272.jpg


The outside is made of solid oak.  The legs are From a  Wheatstone
Spa5 desk and have been modified to fit their new duties.

The arm rest is from the same Spa5.  It has been cut to the proper length
and needs to go to my buddies car interior shop for a new Leather cover.

The right side (19" rack width) will contain 96 points of ADC 1/4" patch bay,
a possible group 51 rack, and a producer/keyboard desk.

All to report for now.

Every one have a  Very Happy New Year. :) :) :)

GARY







 
Happy new year Gary!! This is just soooo nice DIY. I can feel the smell in that wood workshop..:)
Im reading " Shop class as soulcraft" at the moment, and this project is realy in that spirit..
j
 
It’s been over 7 months since my last update so over the next week or so
I’ll try to get this thread caught up.  I guess will call this the Summer 2013 update.

I’ll start with the New Modules.

Master module is first and is all PTP wiring..

5.10_master72.jpg


Here is the front view. 

Controls for:

Control Room Monitor Level

Control Room Monitor Select:
3 2 track returns
        Cue mix
        Program mix (follows solo system)
        Studio mute

Studio Foldback Level

Console osc switch

Monitor speaker select.

The rest is pure Sphere Control Logic:
      Talkback buttons for slate, cue, and Studio feeds.
      5 toggle switches for signal routing

Here is the back view..  still more to wire

5.10Master_back72.jpg


Control Relays for the Master Module:

5.10_relays72.jpg


Next is the Echo return module:

4.18_Echo72.jpg


It is 2 mono Echo returns each with:
      Level and pan to program
      Level and pan to Echo send
      Level to Cue mix
      Level to an 8 bus select panel

Here is the front view of the newly modified 22190 Sphere module:

5.10_New_22190_72.jpg


This will add an Echo Master Control and talkback mike/Level to the 22190.
The Talkback Mic will be under the Hole below the level control.

Here is the backside of the 22190 Module:

5.10_New_22190_back72.jpg


The Talkback PCB is at the board house being made and will be in place
Of the Vero board.

Here is a shot of the New Modules installed in the frame:

5.10_new_modlues2_72.jpg


More to come later in the week.

GARY
 

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