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ADA Preamps => MP-2 => Topic started by: Neal Saenz on April 06, 2015, 09:20:20 AM

Title: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: Neal Saenz on April 06, 2015, 09:20:20 AM
With complete random timing, my MP2 output drops level like someone is instantly turning the drive down. It retains effects and such on the patch, but it loses that "oomph". It will eventually come back only to randomly lose it again. I can only assume this is a tube in its dying throes?
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: Neal Saenz on April 06, 2015, 10:36:06 AM
The voicing DOES seem to be affected slightly as well.
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: MarshallJMP on April 06, 2015, 12:29:46 PM
Do you loose gain or volume?
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: rnolan on April 07, 2015, 08:57:39 AM
Also is your power clean ? MP2s' (from my experience don't like flacky power)
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: Neal Saenz on April 13, 2015, 06:16:38 AM
Do you loose gain or volume?

It appears to be gain.


Also is your power clean ? MP2s' (from my experience don't like flacky power)

Visually everything looks fine onthe board. I don't see any signs or smell any indication that the power supply on the board is bad.
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: rnolan on April 13, 2015, 06:32:55 AM
So check the usual culprits (you probably have already), leads, jacks etc (clean etc). My gut feel is it's tube(s), how old are they ?? or could be tube sockets (this is sounding (a bit) similar to MikeBs MP1 issue). Do you use the CC master vol ? Otherwise it would seem to be be something failing/degrading after getting hot, more MJMP territory.
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: MarshallJMP on April 13, 2015, 12:38:54 PM
Mostly it's tube,so try replacing them first since this is also the easiest to do.
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: Neal Saenz on May 07, 2015, 09:41:45 AM
Apparently I am either not qualified to read a schematic or am simply looking at the wrong one: If I am looking down at the board with the front of the pre-amp facing away from my body, which jack is tube v1 and v2?
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: MarshallJMP on May 07, 2015, 10:37:19 AM
Then the left tube is V1
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: Neal Saenz on July 02, 2015, 10:51:17 AM
Changed out the tubes, same problem. Then I unplugged the cabinet to move things around and plugged it back in to the left output this time, and no issue. So I am only experiencing this issue when plugged in to the right 1/4" output.
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: Systematic Chaos on July 02, 2015, 11:15:19 PM
Did you check with the FX loop turned off?
I experienced something similar a couple of years ago and those issues were related to the CEM3381 ICs in the FX circuit.
Bummer....these ICs are obsolete. I managed to get some from Asia and also got a couple for MJMP....dunno if he still has some in stock....

If it´s not that, best bet would be somewhere in the Output-Mixer/Spkr-Sim/Output-Driver circuitry (http://adadepot.com/mods/ADA-MP2-output-mixer_speaker-simulator_output-drivers_stage-controls.pdf)

Go check if the same happens when using the Spkr Sim outputs....
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: MarshallJMP on July 03, 2015, 03:07:13 PM
Could also be the volume pot,but SC has some good suggestions too.
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: Neal Saenz on July 16, 2015, 08:34:19 PM
Well, I've been playing it now for a few weeks through the left 1/4 " output with no problems at all regardless of which patch I use. Level and Room EQ knobs don't have any issues when dialing in/out. Going to take it apart in a week or so and see what i can track down starting with that 1/4" output jack.
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: rnolan on July 17, 2015, 12:31:40 AM
Check the CAB sim outs, if they both work then the issue is probably the output jack. If you check the signal flow schematic (page 2 MP2 manual) you can see that the stage outs peal off just before the cab emulator circuit. Also give the output level and room EQ  pots a clean (as that feeds both stage and cab sim outs and they are stereo pots (sometimes only one channel works)), Also check the FX sends, there should be signal there, but also check with loop out like SC suggested as this by passes the FX circuit (but the FX send should still get signal (make sure FX level switches (back panel) are switched to line level))
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: Neal Saenz on July 18, 2015, 08:50:36 PM
Thanks guys, will look into these over the next few weeks and check back here if I have any more questions. Might just sit back and get it completely overhauled in 2 months. Any idea what it would cost to have all the circuits cleaned up, re-soldered, etc to bring it back to factory new?
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: vansinn on March 01, 2016, 11:47:29 AM
I do realize this is an older thread, but just want to make known an observation I've had:
One of the input jacks has a build-in switch; if this is worn-out, it can cause a nice drop in the signal being fed into the whole unit.
You'll notice this as mostly a drop in distortion gain, though it may be felt also on the cleans.
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: MarshallJMP on March 01, 2016, 02:17:59 PM
Yes this also true but only if you use the rear jack.
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: Rawk777 on March 26, 2016, 06:18:15 AM
I was testing the emulated outputs on mine, and I seem to have that problem with the 4x12 sim option, but not with the 2x12 option.

I guess the cam sim switch needs some attention.

Do these switches can be cleaned or replaced easily?
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: MarshallJMP on March 26, 2016, 06:22:29 AM
If you have some desoldering experience they are not so hard to replace.Already did this a few times.
Title: Re: Output Seems To Lose Drive/Volume
Post by: rnolan on March 26, 2016, 06:57:37 AM
Since it's a toggle switch, a spray with decent contact cleaner may also fix it ? (certainly worth a try). On the up side, I don't like the 4 x 12 cab sim much, the 2 x 12 sounds heaps better IMHO