Has Anyone Seen This Failure?

[ForestCat]

Hi,
I wasn't able to find any references to this particular issue.

Setup:
Nothing special, audio coming into board on analog ch inputs.
After a variable amount of time (or sometimes right after startup), all of the ch level LEDs (and the Master) will blink off, and the audio will cut out. Then it blinks on and off, w/ the audio output following the level meters, again across all channels that have audio input. At first, it would 'heal itself'. Last time I used it, I found a sharp rap w/ my knuckles on a part of the board with no controls, which (possibly just a well-timed coincidence) brought it back.
Before I rip this apart & re-seat everything, has anyone seen this behaviour, and where I might look?

Thanks

[arjepsen]

My first thoughts are either something up with the clock, or with one of the powersupplies.
For starters though, I would reinstall the OS. Maybe also check that the cpu fan on the motherboard isn't completely covered in dust.

[Phil.c]

Sounds like clock issues, try reseating/cleaning the card first.

[ForestCat]

Great, thanks, I'll start looking at the clock path. There is a very slight audible click whenever the signal drops out/returns.

[Crash]

Possible rail cap failure? Look in the database to see what that is all about.

[ForestCat]

Possible rail cap failure? Look in the database to see what that is all about.

Fantastic resource, thanks!

I'm suspecting intermittent clock and/or Apogee power connection through ribbon connectors. Because:

The intermittent meters/audio is the only issue.

My HDR24/96 is the Master Clock. It also provides clock to all my MOTU A/D-D/A, which does NOT act up during these episodes, so I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that the actual clock signal is good.

I'm aware of the d8b power up sequence on external clock. It's always the first up.

I re-seated the Apogee card. I'll have to wait until it misbehaves again to troubleshoot further.
The gear gets light loving use in a well climate-controled no smoking environment, and has been pretty reliable (crappy MOTU windows drivers notwithstanding...) until now.

Thanks for the help. Fantastic forum.

P.S. I'm getting intermittent email notification of replies. If anyone has any thoughts on why...

[arjepsen]

Oh - just another usual suspect; you can try wiggling the Big Friggin Connecor "BFG". Sometimes the pin connections in there gets a bit tired, which can lead to various problems. (one of the main reasons I built new power supplies into the desk itself).

I think you can turn off the email notification in your user control panel.

[Crash]

Oh - just another usual suspect; you can try wiggling the Big Friggin Connecor "BFG". Sometimes the pin connections in there gets a bit tired, which can lead to various problems. (one of the main reasons I built new power supplies into the desk itself).

That is another good one to check out.

[ForestCat]

Thanks, guys. I did exercise all of the external connectors. What are the specs for the in-desk power supplies? Not a bad idea at all, if it doesn't involve too much sheet metal surgery.

[arjepsen]

Well, it did involve some cutting and drilling.
Also I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself, unless you really really really REALLY know what you're doing, and don't mind running a high risk of ruining your desk.
(I did kill the DSP board in my desk in this process).

You can see a picture of my insides here:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2107
Mind you - I removed one of the psu's again, (the 48v for the phantom power), since it did give some bad noise.
I figure, if I need to record with mics that need phantom power, I'll use my MOTU interface anyways, since it has better converters.