Keeping a DeltaLab Super Time Line alive

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inverseroom
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Keeping a DeltaLab Super Time Line alive

Post by inverseroom » Tue Aug 08, 2017 5:45 pm

Hey, y'all, long time no see.

I got my hands on a Super Time line ADM2048. It works, passes signal, successfully creates echoes. All the time buttons seem to work fine, with the delay times usually correct. But the output is…inconsistent. It sometimes has trouble maintaining pitch. The LFO knobs have less effect than they should (and a lot less effect than the, let's say, whimsical pitch changes the machine creates on its own). Sometimes there's a high fizzing sound, sometimes the echoes are a little distorted.

I cleaned and lubricated all the pots and switches, which didn't really improve matters. Time seems to have made it more "normal" (I've put a couple of hours of playing into it), but it's still touchy. At present I'm happy to use it just as a somewhat haunted doubling machine for guitar, but I'd love to get it shipshape.

What should I try next? New electrolytic caps?

MoreSpaceEcho
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Re: Keeping a DeltaLab Super Time Line alive

Post by MoreSpaceEcho » Tue Aug 08, 2017 8:34 pm

i have no idea. but hi!

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Snarl 12/8
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Re: Keeping a DeltaLab Super Time Line alive

Post by Snarl 12/8 » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:38 am

That thing is from the era where you gotta start suspecting the caps, IMO. But it could be a lot of work to not really solve anything. Do any of the caps have leakage or bulging? Does poking around on the board with a non-conductive stick change anything? I'd start with a visual inspection and jiggling shit while passing signal through it. But I'm a total hack, I should mention.
Carl Keil

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Snarl 12/8
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Re: Keeping a DeltaLab Super Time Line alive

Post by Snarl 12/8 » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:38 am

Oh, and welcome back.
Carl Keil

Almost forgot: Please steal my drum tracks. and more.

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Drone
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Re: Keeping a DeltaLab Super Time Line alive

Post by Drone » Wed Aug 09, 2017 5:33 am

It kinda sounds like it has aged perfectly, perhaps you should consider keeping it, in it's current unpredictable state?

Put it this way, if I had one, that was working correctly, I'd trade you in a heartbeat. :mrgreen:
The previous statement is from a guy who records his own, and other projects for fun. No money is made.

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Scodiddly
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Re: Keeping a DeltaLab Super Time Line alive

Post by Scodiddly » Wed Aug 09, 2017 7:55 pm

Capacitors, obviously. That's usually a fairly cheap and easy thing to replace, and a good idea in gear that old. Just pay attention to polarity.

And yeah, welcome back!

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inverseroom
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Re: Keeping a DeltaLab Super Time Line alive

Post by inverseroom » Sat Aug 12, 2017 4:50 pm

Thanks, guys! Nice to see y'all. No, the caps aren't leaking or bulging but that doesn't mean they haven't failed…maybe I will give it a try. A pleasant afternoon's work if all goes well, right? If I get round to it I will report back.

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