BSS DPR-404, some knobs turn more easily than others.

C

Chris Nixon

Junior
Jul 23, 2012
299
0
0
Northern Ireland
I got a DPR-404 on Ebay about a month ago, I believe it came out of a theatre install. All functions on all channels are operating correctly as far as I can tell.

The issue if it is, is that some of the knobs turn very easily, some are quite stiff and others feel slightly scratchy. I don't mind if it doesn't indicate a problem but I'd be happy to pay to have it repaired if that's what it needs. Searching here brings up a couple of posts about the issue, but I can't find out anything more than that it happens sometimes.

Is this something that is expected with age and would be easily taken care of?

Chris
 
Re: BSS DPR-404, some knobs turn more easily than others.

Chris Nixon said:
I got a DPR-404 on Ebay about a month ago, I believe it came out of a theatre install. All functions on all channels are operating correctly as far as I can tell.

The issue if it is, is that some of the knobs turn very easily, some are quite stiff and others feel slightly scratchy. I don't mind if it doesn't indicate a problem but I'd be happy to pay to have it repaired if that's what it needs. Searching here brings up a couple of posts about the issue, but I can't find out anything more than that it happens sometimes.

Is this something that is expected with age and would be easily taken care of?

Chris
Click to expand...

Yeah, it happens with age, but there are pills for... never mind.

Seriously, it depends on viscous grease used. Some sets up as it ages. Lots of it gets washed out when dirty pots receive a spray "cleaning" treatment, those are the ones that feel loose. 10 years ago I'd have advised to replace all the pots, but not sure what parts availability is like these days. If you want them to feel the same it might be possible to have a tech go through all the controls to clean and lubricate them. Either way I suspect it will be more than pocket money.

If it sounds good, it is good. Getting complaints from visiting crew?
 
Re: BSS DPR-404, some knobs turn more easily than others.

Hey, I was going to title it "inconsistent knob stiffness" but decided against it.

"If it sounds good it is good" is good enough for me especically as I got it for £117 plus postage. :) There won't be any complaints as it's going in my "the venue doesn't have enough outboard" rack I'm putting together.

Thanks,

Chris
 
Re: BSS DPR-404, some knobs turn more easily than others.

Chris Nixon said:
I got a DPR-404 on Ebay about a month ago, I believe it came out of a theatre install. All functions on all channels are operating correctly as far as I can tell.

The issue if it is, is that some of the knobs turn very easily, some are quite stiff and others feel slightly scratchy. I don't mind if it doesn't indicate a problem but I'd be happy to pay to have it repaired if that's what it needs. Searching here brings up a couple of posts about the issue, but I can't find out anything more than that it happens sometimes.

Is this something that is expected with age and would be easily taken care of?

Chris
Click to expand...
Sometimes the knob is binding on the faceplate. On the BSS products, you pull the top cover off the knob and under it is a nut that can be loosened to allow you pull the knob a few mm away from the faceplate and then tightened.
 
Re: BSS DPR-404, some knobs turn more easily than others.

I remember buying some brand new DPR-404's a number of years ago and some knobs were quite tight, others you felt like if you blew on them they would change position. Bothered me at first, but they served us well for a long time with no issues.
i wouldn't worry about it.

Brian
 
Re: BSS DPR-404, some knobs turn more easily than others.

Chris Nixon said:
I got a DPR-404 on Ebay about a month ago, I believe it came out of a theatre install. All functions on all channels are operating correctly as far as I can tell.

The issue if it is, is that some of the knobs turn very easily, some are quite stiff and others feel slightly scratchy. I don't mind if it doesn't indicate a problem but I'd be happy to pay to have it repaired if that's what it needs. Searching here brings up a couple of posts about the issue, but I can't find out anything more than that it happens sometimes.

Is this something that is expected with age and would be easily taken care of?

Chris
Click to expand...

On the ones I've owned all of the de-esser frequency knobs were tight and all of the other knobs operated freely. Because of the consistancy, I assumed it is just a different potentiometer model. Let us know if you make the same observation.

John Penkala
 
Re: BSS DPR-404, some knobs turn more easily than others.

John Penkala said:
On the ones I've owned all of the de-esser frequency knobs were tight and all of the other knobs operated freely. Because of the consistancy, I assumed it is just a different potentiometer model. Let us know if you make the same observation.

John Penkala
Click to expand...

Hey, all my de-esser freq knobs are tight. :) So are the thresholds on channnels 2 and 4. The threshold and ratio knobs seem to be the scratchiest overall, which makes sense if they've had more use. I'm happy to leave it as is for now, there isn't any detrimental affect. Setting identical settings on the knobs of two channels is producing identical sonic results when I move the insert cables over.

It's been sitting on my desk for the past few days where I accidentally discovered a way to cheat at Call Of Duty, you can have footsteps and ambient sound nice and loud without gunshots and grenades being any louder. :twisted:

Chris
 
Top Bottom