1/4\" Right Output Static Repair--How I fixed it
Just thought I'd let you guys know how I repaired a problem I've noticed with my GNX4 over the last couple of years.
My 1/4\" Right Output jack was experiencing static where the entire channel would drop in volume as well as sound quality where the highs just vanished. I unfortunately learned this while doing a recording into my PreSonus audio interface where you could see the wave pattern on the screen for the right channel dip in volume. The recording came out though since the channel didn't fail till the end of the song, but I didn't like not being able to depend on my GNX4.
At first I thought it was a scratchy output pot which it was initially. When I turned the volume pot for the 1/4\" outputs, you could hear that well known scratchy sound from dust settling in the pot. With knowing that, I was able to fix that with some contact cleaner. Now the pot was quiet and smooth. I thought the problem was gone until a few months later when it reappeared. This time I decided to clean the 1/4\" jacks with contact cleaner and a Q-tip. That seemed to work for a while too, but the problem kept coming back. This time I noticed that it would appear when I stepped on the up/down foot switches or used the expression pedal. It was also interesting that the XLR outputs were not affected at all. Well today I finally made my GNX4 like new again. Here's how:
--Cleaned all contact foot switches with contact cleaner. These are the tiny square shaped switches hidden under the large plastic foot switches that you press down.
--Dusted off optical sensor of Expression Pedal
--Sprayed canned air onto all data rotary switches (Do not use contact cleaner on these-you can ruin them)
Cleaned contact switches for transport buttons on 8 track digital recorder. (The FF button was giving me a hard time by not responding to me touching it even though I could hear it clicking when I pressed on it.)
--Dusted off PC boards and made sure all solder joints were in check.
(there are many more contact switches inside for all the function buttons that can be cleaned as well if you are having issues with them)
All I can say now is the thing is truly like new when I bought it in 2004.
All the switches respond faster. Even using the foot switches in combo i.e. MODE / TUNER. / BYPASS toggle without effort now. The 8 track transport controls don't hassle me anymore and the data knobs turn smoother. And the most important is that the audio output is no longer hindered on my right 1/4\" output.
Moral of the story--cover or put away your GNX4 when it is not in use to protect it from dust and dirt. Mine has been for the most part in my home studio on the floor where dust and dirt like to collect. I got away with it for about 5 years until it began to act up. Hope this helps anyone out there with similar issues. Feel free to ask any questions regarding disassembly etc.
My 1/4\" Right Output jack was experiencing static where the entire channel would drop in volume as well as sound quality where the highs just vanished. I unfortunately learned this while doing a recording into my PreSonus audio interface where you could see the wave pattern on the screen for the right channel dip in volume. The recording came out though since the channel didn't fail till the end of the song, but I didn't like not being able to depend on my GNX4.
At first I thought it was a scratchy output pot which it was initially. When I turned the volume pot for the 1/4\" outputs, you could hear that well known scratchy sound from dust settling in the pot. With knowing that, I was able to fix that with some contact cleaner. Now the pot was quiet and smooth. I thought the problem was gone until a few months later when it reappeared. This time I decided to clean the 1/4\" jacks with contact cleaner and a Q-tip. That seemed to work for a while too, but the problem kept coming back. This time I noticed that it would appear when I stepped on the up/down foot switches or used the expression pedal. It was also interesting that the XLR outputs were not affected at all. Well today I finally made my GNX4 like new again. Here's how:
--Cleaned all contact foot switches with contact cleaner. These are the tiny square shaped switches hidden under the large plastic foot switches that you press down.
--Dusted off optical sensor of Expression Pedal
--Sprayed canned air onto all data rotary switches (Do not use contact cleaner on these-you can ruin them)
Cleaned contact switches for transport buttons on 8 track digital recorder. (The FF button was giving me a hard time by not responding to me touching it even though I could hear it clicking when I pressed on it.)
--Dusted off PC boards and made sure all solder joints were in check.
(there are many more contact switches inside for all the function buttons that can be cleaned as well if you are having issues with them)
All I can say now is the thing is truly like new when I bought it in 2004.
All the switches respond faster. Even using the foot switches in combo i.e. MODE / TUNER. / BYPASS toggle without effort now. The 8 track transport controls don't hassle me anymore and the data knobs turn smoother. And the most important is that the audio output is no longer hindered on my right 1/4\" output.
Moral of the story--cover or put away your GNX4 when it is not in use to protect it from dust and dirt. Mine has been for the most part in my home studio on the floor where dust and dirt like to collect. I got away with it for about 5 years until it began to act up. Hope this helps anyone out there with similar issues. Feel free to ask any questions regarding disassembly etc.
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