I got some free time today and decided to test out what is going on with my SQ5 xlr inputs. I have 4 inputs that are not working properly.
I just used my voice through a mic to test, so the level drops I listed are not precise. All effect were disengaged, and levels set the same except for the compensation needed for the bad channels.
One input is 20 db low and noisy,
one is 20 db low and not noisy,
one is 25 db low and noisy,
and the worst one is 40 db low and extremely noisy and unusable.
All of the bad inputs also sound bright, like a 3 db high shelf was added to the signal.
I have not yet had a preamp do anything like this in the 25 years I’ve been doing live sound. It seems like a pretty serious design flaw, especially if the problem stems from plugging mics into a phantom powered channel.
The next question is, what will it take to fix? I am not bad with a soldering iron and the mixer is far out of warranty. I would have trouble bringing it to a repair place as I use it too frequently.
I would also like to say that I love this mixer, apart from the input problems.
Dean