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How to Clean a Studiomaster Mixdown

The Studiomaster Mixdown is a 16:8:16 studio mixer. This means it has 16 input channels, eight subgroups, and 16 tape inputs for sending your signals to recording equipment. Like most analog equipment of its age, it can suffer from numerous minor ailments such as scratchy pots and faders. Many of these problems can be resolved with a thorough cleaning using the right products and techniques. This can often allow you to avoid expensive servicing by doing the job yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Phillips screwdriver
  • 8mm wrench
  • Soft cloths
  • Compressed air spray
  • Fader lubricant spray
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a section to start with. The access panels on the front of the Mixdown are divided by channels. Each channel strip on the mixer can be removed individually by undoing the screws on the front of the plate.

    • 2

      Lift the channel strip from the back; it will pivot in the slot and rise like the hood of a car. There is an earth strap connected to the underside of the panel to discharge any residual static. This will prevent the channel strip from being fully removed, so it will need to be detached.

    • 3

      Disconnect the multipin power clip from the underside of the channel strip. You can now pivot the channel strip all the way up. Pop off the plastic knobs and undo the locking nuts underneath. Undo the screws holding the board to the face plate and the two assemblies will separate.

    • 4

      Wipe down all the face-plate sections with a soft cloth, ensuring all the dust and grime is removed. Use the compressed air spray to clear any accumulated dust from the circuit boards. Don't use the cloth on the boards, as you risk damaging connections and leaving fibers from the cloth on the contacts.

    • 5

      Squirt a small spot of lubricant at the base of each knob and fader. Allow it to dry and reassemble the components. Repeat the procedure with each subsequent channel.

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