Soundboard trouble shooting

[Josh Scott]

I wish I had more info but I got a phone call from a guy that need some help with their church's sound system. I don't know any info about the board, how it is set up, or anything like that.

The first and probably biggest problem is their soundboard. It sounds like the same problem I have at school, the channel won't work until the sound source reaches a certain level. Almost like a gate but they don't have any gates. The source will sound really loud you bring them back down and it works.

The board at school is way over due to be replaced so I don't spend anytime trying to fix it, besides I am paying to learn something not to teach them how to fix stuff. The church however is smaller and won't have to budget to replace it right away, I would like to at least get them to a point they can use it for awhile.

[cmchamp]

Sounds like a bad/dirty ribbon connector.

[rePete]

I've had dirty inserts do that too!

Pete

[waynehoskins]

Dirty any kind of connector will do that.

I had (well, have, but it's relegated to spare utility duty) a Behringer Multicom compressor where the first channel would do that sometimes. Very bothersome, never bothered to open it up and try to fix it.

Some boards use normalling contacts on their TRS line level inputs as well, another place to check. Exercise the line-in and insert jacks on the affected channel and see if it affects it.

[Josh Scott]

Thanks guys

[Tim Padrick]

Is anything plugged into the insert of the offending channel? If not, get a TRS plug, connect the tip and ring together, and plug it into the insert jack. If the problem goes away, it was the jack (it will still work OK as an insert, and you can leave the plug in to keep it working). If the problem does not go away, it's likely a ribbon connection (or a bad solder joint).