MBOX 3 Pro volume level insert & knob replacement
 

Hi everyone, i managed to "snap off" one of the front volume level - metal insert and knob - and are struggling to find a replacement part. AVID customer service is giving me the silent treatment (i.e. refer to local dealer / not responding to my follow up emails). I live in Greece, and such parts do not exist and i don't really have a lot of faith in the local dealer's ability to get me anything in this "century".

Any ideas / suggestions ?

Many Thanks

Re: MBOX 3 Pro volume level insert & knob replacement
 

Which volume pot? Can you adjust it at all(like with a small screwdriver)? Depending on which pot, there may be a fairly simple work-around. For instance, if its the output volume to your speakers, and you could set it to full-up, you could add a modest monitor controller to take over the volume adjustment(or even a small mixer like Alto and Behringer sell for less than $50US):o

Re: MBOX 3 Pro volume level insert & knob replacement
 

Replacement pots are apparently very difficult to get from Avid. I got one arranged from my dealer who had a few lying around from older broken devices.

That said, if you want to dovit yourself, its not very difficult. It a standard 10k pot with the shaft length being the only variable. Audio does not pass through it so any old pot will do. You might have to cut the shaft to lenght.

You should contact your local avid dealer to see if he has an old one from another device. You might just be in luck

Re: MBOX 3 Pro volume level insert & knob replacement
 

Thanks for the replies .....it is the volume knob and insert for one of the input channels on the front. I can turn it with pliers but this is pain. I dont understand why avid support doesn't reply, ...can someone suggest an alternative insert and knob that would fit ?

Thanks

Re: MBOX 3 Pro volume level insert & knob replacement
 

I doubt anybody has any idea what you mean by " insert". Is the potentiometer shaft broken? The potentiometer itself/wiper assembly? Just the knob? Photo?

Replacement knobs and potentiometers should be easy to source from any electronic components distributor, even if the knob does not match. Or try repairing/gluing the broken knob.

Avid has a process for getting field repair done. You take your stuff to a authorized repair center, or you contact Avid service via their phone system, and select the right option for hardware repair, even then I would not assume they will sell you the parts, or that you might want yo pay whatever it is they might want to charge. and yes not very practical overseas. avid dealers are not necesarilly going to be able to get this resolved for you.

More likely you would be better off just finding a way to fix this yourself or find a local electronics handyman to fix it for you. Or buy another use Mbox 3 Pro, that is quite likely less hassle than getting yours repaired via Avid and possibly cheaper too. A used/junker cheap Mbox 3 mini or Mbox 3 might even supply the needed knob and potentiometer.

Re: MBOX 3 Pro volume level insert & knob replacement
 

Maybe these guys can help you out.

http://blacklionaudio.com/

Located in the USA. Good luck!

Re: MBOX 3 Pro volume level insert & knob replacement
 

I may be wrong, but it sounds like the OP is describing a "pull pot". Doesn't the Mbox have a pad that is engaged by pulling the GAIN pot out? In addition to Black Lion, try these guys:
http://www.allproelectronics.com/
They are an authorized Avid service center in Nashville, TN(but I don't see why they wouldn't ship a part overseas):o

Re: MBOX 3 Pro volume level insert & knob replacement
 

Yes, so does the Mbox and Mbox Mini. If the pot shaft does not click in and out easily the pot likely needs to be replaced. And it may be not hard to find that exact part or a substitute once you know the part used look through what is available from a component supplier (DigiKey, Mouser, etc.)

But the description is about turning the shaft with pliers, so it sounds like maybe just the knob or it's lock screw (if it has one) connection to the shaft is broken. Easiest repair then is find a knob from DigiKey or Mouser or somewhere local that fits that shaft (what diameter shaft, round or round with flat?, friction fit/snap on or lock screw? or splines -- diameter and number of splines)

If it has a more complex mechanical knob with say some coupling to a seperate (not in the potentiometer) switch I'd be surprised.

Re: MBOX 3 Pro volume level insert & knob replacement
 

Yes correct the shaft and knob has broken and it is a pull pot ie clicks in and out as well

Re: MBOX 3 Pro volume level insert & knob replacement
 

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/mbox-3-mini

OTOH you can buy a used Mbox 3 Pro on EBay for less than $400, so is the hassle and cost of a repair worth it?

Or find the part number or specs of your current pot and search here.

http://www.digikey.com/product-searc...eostats/263488

I've saw other folks comment that the potentiometer quality does not really matter and no audio signal flows through that. I'm not so sure that is accurate, and i would be surprised if it was. I'd expect this pot to be controlling the gain in a feeback loop of an op-amp in the preamp. In which case signal is flowing thought the potentiometer. If so it may be a audio (logarithmic) taper potentiometer -- not a linear taper one.

Anybody has one and can post a circuit diagram or close up photo of the PCB mount and chips that the pot is connected to and I'll try to tell you what it is doing...