Hey guys, gals. and non-binary pals.

I have purchased two Behringer Xenyx-series mixers; the first was a 1202FX that I bought used from a friend, the second was a 1204USB that was described to me as "never used" by a salesman in the area.

Both of them have the same issue. When you turn the gain knobs, they crackle and jump and dip in signal strength. What's the cause of this? Is it just bad luck? Or is there some issue that's common amongst this series of mixers? I've tried clearing out any dirt and debris with compressed air, and it didn't work on either of them.

Thanks!

shwan...@gmail.com wrote:
======================
> Hey guys, gals. and non-binary pals.

** How modern of you...
>
> I have purchased two Behringer Xenyx-series mixers;
> the first was a 1202FX that I bought used from a friend,
> the second was a 1204USB that was described to me as "never used" by a salesman in the area.
>
> Both of them have the same issue.
> When you turn the gain knobs, they crackle and jump and dip in signal strength.
> What's the cause of this? Is it just bad luck?

** Bad design and choice of ultra cheap hardware.

> Or is there some issue that's common amongst this series of mixers?

** The issue is common on many mixers has to do with the gain pot being a reverse log type.

> I've tried clearing out any dirt and debris with compressed air, and it didn't work on either of them.

** There is no dirt or debris inside a pot.
Pots contaminate themselves as particles wear off the carbon track and mix with grease used to lube the shaft.
The gooey mix then sticks to the wiper and the result is what you are seeing.

They will normally come good if you can get some grease solvent into the pot, alcohol and Freon are both useless.
Has to be a hydrocarbon like Naptha.

Many products exist like CRC 2-26 or WD40 that work well.
One you have got some fluid in there, rotate the shaft many times to do the cleaning work.

Others here may recommend " DeOxit" but I would not, it's pure snake oil.

........ Phil

On 24/09/2021 9:34 am, Shawn Pugh wrote:
> Hey guys, gals. and non-binary pals.
>
> I have purchased two Behringer Xenyx-series mixers; the first was a 1202FX that I bought used from a friend, the second was a 1204USB that was described to me as "never used" by a salesman in the area.
>
> Both of them have the same issue. When you turn the gain knobs, they crackle and jump and dip in signal strength. What's the cause of this?

Crappy potentiometers and/or clumsy usage. And may even be (surely not
!) in a feedback loop which would exacerbate any slight crackle.

Is it just bad luck? Or is there some issue that's common amongst this
series of mixers?

Not just these mixers. many economy and middle-market brands have
similar pots that crap out sooner or later. More often with clumsy usage
thing.

I've tried clearing out any dirt and debris with compressed air, and it
didn't work on either of them.

I can't imagine it would - unlike 'old' pots they are relatively sealed
units and air (or Faderlube, etc) can't get into the workings.

The pots that crackle will need replacing, and it's unlikely better
quality ones will fit the footprint ;- /

> Thanks!

Sorry.

geoff

On Thu, 23 Sep 2021 14:34:05 -0700 (PDT), Shawn Pugh
<shwanpughah@gmail.com> wrote:

>Hey guys, gals. and non-binary pals.
>
>I have purchased two Behringer Xenyx-series mixers; the first was a 1202FX that I bought used from a friend, the second was a 1204USB that was described to me as "never used" by a salesman in the area.
>
>Both of them have the same issue. When you turn the gain knobs, they crackle and jump and dip in signal strength. What's the cause of this? Is it just bad luck? Or is there some issue that's common amongst this series of mixers? I've tried clearing out any dirt and debris with compressed air, and it didn't work on either of them.
>
>Thanks!

You should be able to find something mechanically similar and probably
a lot better in Radiospares, Mouser etc. Any electronics online
supplier.
More urgent for an older piece of Behringer hardware is that you
change all the electrolytic caps in the power supply for decent ones,
Panasonic, Nichicon, Rubycon etc. Go for a 105C temperature rating..
Over time the nasty ones they fit as standard are guaranteed to fail.

d

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Shawn Pugh <shwanpughah@gmail.com> wrote:
>Both of them have the same issue. When you turn the gain knobs, they crackl=
>e and jump and dip in signal strength. What's the cause of this? Is it just=
> bad luck? Or is there some issue that's common amongst this series of mixe=
>rs? I've tried clearing out any dirt and debris with compressed air, and it=
> didn't work on either of them.

It's likely crappy pots. Could be damaged pots, could be bad solder joints
on the pots. Check the soldering, squirt a little Faderlube in there and
see if that fixes it.

Pots and switches are majority of the expense of a console, therefore the
first place that corners get cut. This is unfortunate since they are also
the least reliable and shortest-lived components too.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

palli...@gmail.com <pallison49@gmail.com> wrote:
>Others here may recommend " DeOxit" but I would not, it's pure snake oil.

Why? It's naptha and oleic acid. The oleic acid residue keeps things nice
and clean and won't turn to nasty varnish like WD-40's residue does.

It has good and bad points but I don't see why you'd call it snake oil.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Scott Dorsey wrote:
===============
>
> palli...@gmail.com
>
> >Others here may recommend " DeOxit" but I would not, it's pure snake oil.
>
> Why? It's naptha and oleic acid. The oleic acid residue keeps things nice
> and clean and won't turn to nasty varnish like WD-40's residue does.
>
** Organic acid is not the best idea inside pots and switches.
Just add some moisture and it turns conductive.

FYI:
WD40 does not (*)turn to varnish - the residue is simply light mineral oil.
Perfect for keeping moisture and corrosion away from metal surfaces.

( * unless the surface gets DAMN hot.)

> It has good and bad points but I don't see why you'd call it snake oil.

** It's way over hyped by makers and enthusiast plus very expensive for what it does.

Too many versions exist when just ONE ( WD40 ) does as well or better for peanuts.
WD40 acts in seconds and needs no cleaning off.
The naptha solvent ( 80 %) disappears in 10 minutes.

I wasted $20 on a tiny can of D100 once - found it totally useless !!.

Many other products are nearly the same too ( ie CRC 2-26) plus WD40 has heaps of other uses.

BTW:

The USA is chock full of WD40 haters - found nowhere else.

....... Phil

On 24/09/2021 9:55 am, palli...@gmail.com wrote:
> shwan...@gmail.com wrote:
> ======================

>
> Others here may recommend " DeOxit" but I would not, it's pure snake oil.

Nobody should recommend Caig DeOxit for pots. It is for metal.

Caig FaderLube is the appropriate product, and is great. And works
long-term.

geoff

geoff wrote:
============
>
> > Others here may recommend " DeOxit" but I would not, it's pure snake oil.
>
> Nobody should recommend Caig DeOxit for pots.

** Really ?? How strange that the MAKERS do !!

> Caig FaderLube is the appropriate product,
>

** Still an expensive "DeOxit" fake product variation.

The gullible will buy anything that claims to be "special" .
Including narcissistic Kiwi fuckwits like you.

Baaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh...

....... Phil

On 9/23/2021 5:34 PM, Shawn Pugh wrote:
> Hey guys, gals. and non-binary pals.
>
> I have purchased two Behringer Xenyx-series mixers; the first was a 1202FX that I bought used from a friend, the second was a 1204USB that was described to me as "never used" by a salesman in the area.
>
> Both of them have the same issue. When you turn the gain knobs, they crackle and jump and dip in signal strength. What's the cause of this? Is it just bad luck? Or is there some issue that's common amongst this series of mixers? I've tried clearing out any dirt and debris with compressed air, and it didn't work on either of them.
>
> Thanks!
>
This is not an unusual problem, and can happen with many, if not most
pots. Guitarists are very familiar with this! The cause is oxidation,
and just needs some contact cleaner to fix it.

As you can see from the various responses, the choice of contact cleaner
is somewhat personal. Most will work, though sometimes with issues due
to the residue left behind.

My preference are the contact cleaners used for computer connectors, as
the better ones remove the oxidation and don't leave a residue.

--
best regards,

Neil

On Mon, 27 Sep 2021 11:05:13 -0400, Neil <neil@myplaceofwork.com>
wrote:

>On 9/23/2021 5:34 PM, Shawn Pugh wrote:
>> Hey guys, gals. and non-binary pals.
>>
>> I have purchased two Behringer Xenyx-series mixers; the first was a 1202FX that I bought used from a friend, the second was a 1204USB that was described to me as "never used" by a salesman in the area.
>>
>> Both of them have the same issue. When you turn the gain knobs, they crackle and jump and dip in signal strength. What's the cause of this? Is it just bad luck? Or is there some issue that's common amongst this series of mixers? I've tried clearing out any dirt and debris with compressed air, and it didn't work on either of them.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>This is not an unusual problem, and can happen with many, if not most
>pots. Guitarists are very familiar with this! The cause is oxidation,
>and just needs some contact cleaner to fix it.
>
>As you can see from the various responses, the choice of contact cleaner
>is somewhat personal. Most will work, though sometimes with issues due
>to the residue left behind.
>
>My preference are the contact cleaners used for computer connectors, as
>the better ones remove the oxidation and don't leave a residue.

There are three ways to deal with noisy pots:

1. Wind them back and forth quickly. This may fix them for a few
minutes.
2. Spray cleaner inside. This may give you a few days - maybe even a
week if you are lucky.
3. Change them. This is the only actual fix. When you change them
switch to high quality pots that won't go noisy in a few months.

d

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On Monday, September 27, 2021 at 9:52:08 AM UTC-6, Don Pearce wrote:
> On Mon, 27 Sep 2021 11:05:13 -0400, Neil <ne...@myplaceofwork.com>
> wrote:
> >On 9/23/2021 5:34 PM, Shawn Pugh wrote:
> >> Hey guys, gals. and non-binary pals.
> >>
> >> I have purchased two Behringer Xenyx-series mixers; the first was a 1202FX that I bought used from a friend, the second was a 1204USB that was described to me as "never used" by a salesman in the area.
> >>
> >> Both of them have the same issue. When you turn the gain knobs, they crackle and jump and dip in signal strength. What's the cause of this? Is it just bad luck? Or is there some issue that's common amongst this series of mixers? I've tried clearing out any dirt and debris with compressed air, and it didn't work on either of them.
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >>
> >This is not an unusual problem, and can happen with many, if not most
> >pots. Guitarists are very familiar with this! The cause is oxidation,
> >and just needs some contact cleaner to fix it.
> >
> >As you can see from the various responses, the choice of contact cleaner
> >is somewhat personal. Most will work, though sometimes with issues due
> >to the residue left behind.
> >
> >My preference are the contact cleaners used for computer connectors, as
> >the better ones remove the oxidation and don't leave a residue.
> There are three ways to deal with noisy pots:
>
> 1. Wind them back and forth quickly. This may fix them for a few
> minutes.
> 2. Spray cleaner inside. This may give you a few days - maybe even a
> week if you are lucky.
> 3. Change them. This is the only actual fix. When you change them
> switch to high quality pots that won't go noisy in a few months.
> d
>
> --
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus

I hate getting into these pissing contests, but I have actual experience using WD-40 on potentiometers.
I used it on the pots of my Studiomaster 8 into 4 mixer. It worked well for a while, but after thirty days, all of the pots were exhibiting scratchiness.I then cleaned them with contact cleaner and gave each of the pots a quick shot of DeOxit D5. It worked well for years.
Is DOxit the best? I don't know. but it worked for me and WD40 did not.
There are a lot of things claimed for WD-40 and I use it for cleaning my bicycle chain before I use an actual lubricant such as TriFlow. I will never use it again in an electronics application unless it is to dry out a water soaked component. That is what it was designed for.

On 27/09/2021 16:52, Don Pearce wrote:

> 3. Change them. This is the only actual fix. When you change them
> switch to high quality pots that won't go noisy in a few months.
>
> d
>
The usual reason for scratchy pots seems to be physical wear on the
track surface. In the days when they were big enough to dismantle and
rebuild with a chance of getting them working again, a slight sideways
bend on the contacts got you a half decent repair life.

Can we please go back to the days of stepped faders, with real metal
contacts?

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

On Mon, 27 Sep 2021 18:04:36 +0100, John Williamson
<johnwilliamson@btinternet.com> wrote:

>On 27/09/2021 16:52, Don Pearce wrote:
>
>> 3. Change them. This is the only actual fix. When you change them
>> switch to high quality pots that won't go noisy in a few months.
>>
>> d
>>
>The usual reason for scratchy pots seems to be physical wear on the
>track surface. In the days when they were big enough to dismantle and
>rebuild with a chance of getting them working again, a slight sideways
>bend on the contacts got you a half decent repair life.
>
>Can we please go back to the days of stepped faders, with real metal
>contacts?

Optical sensors and FET attenuators are the way to go if you want real
longevity.

d

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On 28/09/2021 12:00 am, palli...@gmail.com wrote:
> geoff wrote:
> ============
>>
>>> Others here may recommend " DeOxit" but I would not, it's pure snake oil.
>>
>> Nobody should recommend Caig DeOxit for pots.
>
> ** Really ?? How strange that the MAKERS do !!

Really really ?

" DeoxIT® D-Series contact cleaner dissolves oxides and sulfides that
form on metal surfaces"

https://caig.com/deoxit-d-series/

Carbon potentiometer tracks were not metal last time I looked. OK the
wiper is, but that is not the main location or cause of the 'interference'.

Yes D5 has cleaning properties by dissolution and displacement, and
limited lubricating, but their Faderlube is a more appropriate product,
which is presumably why they developed it.

geoff

geoff wrote:
================
> >
> >>> Others here may recommend " DeOxit" but I would not, it's pure snake oil.
> >>
> >> Nobody should recommend Caig DeOxit for pots.
> >
> > ** Really ?? How strange that the MAKERS do !!

> Really really ?

** Yes.

Says so right on the fucking can you IDIOT !
" USE ON: Switches, jacks and plugs, connectors, potentiometers, controls, batteries, relays, contactors and all electrical contacts and connectors ".

...... Phil

John Williamson wrote:
===================
>
> The usual reason for scratchy pots seems to be physical wear on the
> track surface.

** Nonsense.

99% of noisy pots respond instantly to solvent cleaning a last years.
Badly worn examples do not respond to any treatment.

....... Phil

Richard Kuschel wrote:
=====================
> I hate getting into these pissing contests, but I have actual experience using WD-40 on potentiometers.

** I have 45 years worth of such experience.

> I used it on the pots of my Studiomaster 8 into 4 mixer.

** Must be 40 years old.

> It worked well for a while, but after thirty days, all of the pots were exhibiting scratchiness.

** With very old pots it sometimes takes two goes to get rid of all the gunk inside.
As you found.

WD40 does a host of jobs it was not specifically, originally sold for.
So what ?

....... Phil

On 28/09/2021 11:56 am, palli...@gmail.com wrote:
> geoff wrote:
> ================
>>>
>>>>> Others here may recommend " DeOxit" but I would not, it's pure snake oil.
>>>>
>>>> Nobody should recommend Caig DeOxit for pots.
>>>
>>> ** Really ?? How strange that the MAKERS do !!
>
>> Really really ?
>
> ** Yes.
>
> Says so right on the fucking can you IDIOT !
>
> " USE ON: Switches, jacks and plugs, connectors, potentiometers, controls, batteries, relays, contactors and all electrical contacts and connectors ".
>
>
>
> ..... Phil
>

'Can', yes certainly you 'can'. But not the best thing. You 'can' also
use water, petrol, iso, meths, b;laa blaa blaa.

Phil, take your meds and refocus your attention onto porn or something
else to wank over.

geoff

geoff wrote:
============
> >>> Nobody should recommend Caig DeOxit for pots.
> >>>
> >>> ** Really ?? How strange that the MAKERS do !!
> >
> >> Really really ?
> >
>
> > Says so right on the fucking can you IDIOT !
> >
> > " USE ON: Switches, jacks and plugs, connectors, potentiometers, controls, batteries,
> > relays, contactors and all electrical contacts and connectors ".
> >
> >

> 'Can', yes certainly you 'can'.

** What fucking insane crapology.
You just got proved 100% WRONG - yet AGAIN.

> Phil, take your meds ...

** You need to stop taking illegal drugs.
And get a brain transplant.

Fucking Kiwi idiot.

....... Phil

On 28/09/2021 2:17 pm, palli...@gmail.com wrote:
> geoff wrote:
> ============
>> >>> Nobody should recommend Caig DeOxit for pots.
>>>>>
>>>>> ** Really ?? How strange that the MAKERS do !!
>>>
>>>> Really really ?
>>>
>>
>>> Says so right on the fucking can you IDIOT !
>>>
>>> " USE ON: Switches, jacks and plugs, connectors, potentiometers, controls, batteries,
>>> relays, contactors and all electrical contacts and connectors ".
>>>
>>>
>
>> 'Can', yes certainly you 'can'.
>
> ** What fucking insane crapology.
> You just got proved 100% WRONG - yet AGAIN.
>
>> Phil, take your meds ...
>
> ** You need to stop taking illegal drugs.
> And get a brain transplant.
>
> Fucking Kiwi idiot.
>
>
>
> ...... Phil
>
>

Allison , always ready with a reasoned response.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~rutlidge/alanindex.html

geoff

On 27/09/2021 21:35, Don Pearce wrote:
> On Mon, 27 Sep 2021 18:04:36 +0100, John Williamson
> <johnwilliamson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>
>> Can we please go back to the days of stepped faders, with real metal
>> contacts?
>
> Optical sensors and FET attenuators are the way to go if you want real
> longevity.
>
Well, yes, the fewer moving parts the better, if possible, but the
stepped faders were self cleaning to a degree and were designed to last
a long time under heavy use.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

On Monday, September 27, 2021 at 7:05:32 PM UTC-4, palli...@gmail.com wrote:
> Richard Kuschel wrote:
> =====================
> > I hate getting into these pissing contests, but I have actual experience using WD-40 on potentiometers.
> ** I have 45 years worth of such experience.
> > I used it on the pots of my Studiomaster 8 into 4 mixer.
> ** Must be 40 years old.
> > It worked well for a while, but after thirty days, all of the pots were exhibiting scratchiness.
> ** With very old pots it sometimes takes two goes to get rid of all the gunk inside.
> As you found.
>
> WD40 does a host of jobs it was not specifically, originally sold for.
> So what ?
>
>
>
> ...... Phil
_______

WD-40 is a cleaner, not a lubricator/conditioner.

I learned that the hard way, back in 1987, by destroying the
graphic EQ on a boombox I owned back then, by spraying WD-40
into it.

Chris K-Man wrote:
================
> > WD40 does a host of jobs it was not specifically, originally sold for.
> > So what ?

>
> WD-40 is a cleaner, not a lubricator/conditioner.

** Totally fucking stupid & wrong.

> I learned that the hard way, back in 1987, by destroying the
> graphic EQ on a boombox I owned back then, by spraying WD-40
> into it.

** You did what ????

Knew a customer once who's guitar amp was making cracking noises.
So he bought a pressure can of " electrical contact cleaner" and sprayed a lot of it in through various jack socket holes.

Soon as he switch on, the amp exploded into flames with a loud bang.

Real " rocket scientist" type - like you !!!.

....... Phil

"palli...@gmail.com" wrote in message
news:2cad6939-319f-4658-818b-79b47908094dn@googlegroups.com...

<snip>

Knew a customer once who's guitar amp was making cracking noises.
So he bought a pressure can of " electrical contact cleaner" and sprayed a
lot of it in through various jack socket holes.

Soon as he switch on, the amp exploded into flames with a loud bang.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Ouch.
I knew a pianist that played at a local Holiday Inn that couldn't wait for
my arrival to properly treat sticky keys/center pins.
So while he waited he sprayed the entire action with WD40.

That was the end of the piano as well as his long term gig.

Poly

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