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Post by ninworks on Sept 30, 2022 17:30:58 GMT -5
I bought another compressor today. A vintage 1978 Blackface Urie/Universal Audio LA-4. I got a smokin deal on it that I just couldn't pass up. It belonged to my old studio partner from back in the late 70's through the early 90's. It's been sitting unused for decades and he decided to sell it. He sold it to me for less than half of market value. I may have to re-cap it but that's not a big deal. He said it was still working as of about 8 years ago. He hasn't powered it up since then. It's been in storage and he just recently pulled it out. Now, I have to find a way to get it into my rack. I have space in the patch bay and I'll have to make a couple cables but that's not a big deal. It's shoe-horning it into the rack that's going to be problematic. This isn't the actual unit but this is what it looks like. i.postimg.cc/gkgPhFTF/LA-4.jpg |
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Post by ninworks on Oct 9, 2022 15:30:22 GMT -5
The LA-4 was delivered yesterday. It powered up and the only thing wrong with it is the bulbs for the VU meter are toast. I ordered replacements. I made a bracket for it and got it into the rack today. I need to make 2 cables and route the AC power. Other than that it's ready to go. This is the last piece of gear I'm going to scab onto the top of the rack. It needed to have an air space between it and the API Lunchbox so the air vents on the API are open and can breathe. I need to build a larger rack with more space. i.postimg.cc/3JLQNd15/LA-4-Hardware.jpgi.postimg.cc/fL3KNWCN/LA-4-Mounted.jpg |
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Post by rickyguitar on Oct 11, 2022 22:36:45 GMT -5
Used to see a lot of them. Back in the day. Good score.
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Post by ninworks on Oct 17, 2022 3:49:36 GMT -5
Well, the compressor doesn't work. According to the VU meter it is getting signal but it's not coming through the outputs and there is no gain reduction happening. I found a repair manual and schematic for it online so I'm going to see if I can figure out what's wrong with it. My limited electronics knowledge is going to be an issue. Hopefully I can figure it out. If not I'll probably have to spend more than I paid for it to get it repaired. Wish me luck.
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Bopper
Wholenote
Motor City USA
Posts: 507
Age: 72
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Post by Bopper on Oct 17, 2022 8:27:59 GMT -5
Good luck!
If you got a good enough deal on it, fixing it may still be worth it.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Oct 17, 2022 11:52:33 GMT -5
Bummer. So a little miscue about its functionality when sold? I guess 8 years in storage, anything can happen.
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Post by ninworks on Oct 17, 2022 13:00:25 GMT -5
It will be worth it. I paid less than half what they are going for. Especially if I can fix it myself. I may need to find a parts source though.
It seems like most of the times I have had analog gear failures is after they have been dormant for a long time. I let all of my analog stuff burn for a full day about once a month so this doesn't happen. The rest of the time it's not on unless I am using it. Even then I like to turn whatever I'm going to be using at least an hour before hand so it gets good and warmed up. Especially tube microphones.
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Post by ninworks on Oct 19, 2022 16:48:58 GMT -5
I got the compressor working. It had an ID 10 T error. The ID10T who plugged the cables into the patch bay had the plugs reversed. It works afterall. DUH!!!
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Oct 19, 2022 19:39:16 GMT -5
Yay!
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Post by reverendrob on Oct 20, 2022 3:56:19 GMT -5
Your problem is why I always test gear outside of a signal chain first - done similar stupid too many times and learned my lesson.
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Post by ninworks on Oct 20, 2022 7:20:27 GMT -5
I should have done that but since there are no input and output jacks and the only way to get in and out of it is via an old-school terminal strip, I didn't test it before hand. The customized interconnecting cables I made for it were too short to connect to my rig unless the unit was in place in the rack. One end of the I/O cables has TRS plugs and the other ends have spade connectors on each of the conductor wires. I was pressed for time when I installed it and in my haste to get it into the rack and working I messed up when plugging into the rear of the patch bay. I had removed the compressor from the rack and was getting ready to take the panels off the unit and dive into it with a meter when I decided I would plug a cable into the patch bay first and check my connections through it with the meter to make sure it was all working. That's when I found my mistake. The first rule of thumb is, "Always check the cables first." If this would have been installed when I rewired my rack this probably would not have been an issue because it would have been documented on my wiring plans. As it was, it was an add-on and as such I was flying by the seat of my pants which is no big deal. I have done that many times. I was overconfident and wasn't paying close enough attention. I got in a hurry and too excited to play with the new gear and it bit me. That hasn't happened in a long long time. i.postimg.cc/mZqRhxQk/LA-4-Wiring.jpg |
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Post by reverendrob on Oct 20, 2022 16:02:23 GMT -5
Ah, yea, those damn jacks.
Still I always test wiring and weird setups straight in line.
But I'm running a ridiculously complicated rig where my master pedalboard needs a damn flow chart.
The sub-boards are easy, but the master...isn't.
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