How to test for quality

[darthfader93]

I've had my 3200 since 2009 and I haven't used it in awhile. I'm gonna power it up and record some band stuff on it. How can I go about checking all of the inputs and make sure it's getting the right amount of level and make sure nothing is noisey? Also checking the outputs. Is there a preferred way to do this?

 

[mixerizer]

i find the built-in oscillator can be useful to test the internals - for example, assign the oscillator to one of the outputs, and route it back into the inputs in order to test them all (if any have different levels, check the gain and other settings).

Also, if the machine was left unattended you might want to dust or air-vac the machine a bit to ensure u don’t have a layer of crud inside or out.

 

[djd2thaj]

If you had it in storage without anything connected then I'd take a known working mic or line source and go through the 16 mic/line inputs to check that they work, that gain pots aren't dirty, and that the mic/line/pad switch isn't dirty or faulty for each channel (be it bad caps or pot/switch). If you have had it installed, do the same going through your patch panel, or pre-wired configuration instead.

For outputs, I would do as Mixerizer suggested with the internal OSC, and feed every output the same signal and verify it with a known working speaker/external mixer/ and/or scope/multimeter to verify that levels are consistent and clean.

For digital I/O, you can do loopback tests to confirm clocking...however, be careful to not have anything folding back into itself or through mains to avoid feedback loops. If you happen to have TDIF dubbing cables, you can do that going between the different TDIF ports...you can also create a makeshift version using 25-conductor flat ribbon cable and crimp 25-pin d-sub connectors flipping one end.

You can also run through the diagnostic menu/tests to confirm the internal hardware is good. If it's been a hot minute since it's been powered, you might consider a fresh internal battery (CR2032) as a preventative measure.

 

[Arjan P]

I would also recommend a full Diagnostics Test, with possiby a factory reset. To get into the diagnostic mode, power up the mixer while holding down Shift + Buttons 1 + 2 under Output Assign. There are several tests you can do (buttons, faders etc.) - and factory reset is SRAM INIT (top one first, then the lower one).