C8 Monitor Section Crackling

[E-an]

Same problem here with C8 crackling on volume pot. Had the unit since July and now its crackling! Joy. I guess I'll be calling Digidesign to see if they'll replace the unit!

[ccool]

OK. Can somebody tell me what the next step is? Call Digi and get a return authorization? Is the unit returned to Menlo Park, CA?

Thanks.

CC

[Chris Coleman]

OK. Can somebody tell me what the next step is? Call Digi and get a return authorization? Is the unit returned to Menlo Park, CA?

Thanks.

CC

Two ways about it:

1) They'll send you a prepaid overnight airbill which you slap on your boxed-up C|8, you send it out, they fix it and send it back...i.e. DOWNTIME

2) They take your CC number and ship you a new unit (with a return airbill), then you ship the faulty unit back within 10 days or pay for it. This is what they should do for this problem, given that it's a pretty well documented malfunction of the C|8 design and parts implementation.

I use my C|8 daily - it's an integral part of my workflow - and I can't have 2 or 3 day's downtime. This time around, they decided to deny me advanced replacement of my defective C|8 because "it's just too weird that I've had two units with crackly volume pots"... yeah, just to weird I guess - so I've had this airbill sitting on my studio desk for a couple months now waiting for a good time to part with my crackly C|8.

[AuraMaris Studio]

hi chris,
do you know how much it costs the second option you mentioned in your replay? here in italy digi asks for a REVISIONED C8 (so no a brand new one) a 110 Euro + 20% tax + shipping. no comment...

antonino

[ccool]

2) They take your CC number and ship you a new unit (with a return airbill), then you ship the faulty unit back within 10 days or pay for it. This is what they should do for this problem, given that it's a pretty well documented malfunction of the C|8 design and parts implementation.

Yea, I've been using mine daily for VO work and production. Of course, I can function without it, but that's NOT why I bought the unit in the first place. I guess my consolation is that I didn't get a 002 that appears to have the Power Harness issue more often than the 002-R.

[Bodie]

So with all this QC issues...can a lurker pose a question?

I'm at a crossroads in looking for a mixer, I was almost going to plunk down my cash on a Command|8...now I'm not so sure.

The close runner up due to more flexibilty with my other systems (Samplitude, Logic & more) was the Mackie Control Universal (MCU) that hosts those setups out of the box as well as PT.

Would you rethink your purchase of the Command|8 based on these issues or is the functionality just so great that you can't get it in another controller? BTW, can someone explain the "flip" functionality that I'm told is unique to the Command|8?

(*or any unique functionality that sets it apart...I'm heavily swayed on the MCU if there's no real strong unique features as their QC is great).

Thanks!

Reid (ready to buy...almost)

[Chris Coleman]

So, I sent in my C8 and Digi turned it around in 3 days. Not bad...and the crackle is gone. The repair slip said they replaced with an ALPS pot and I'm wondering if that's the originally spec'd part or if it's an upgrade to relieve this crackling problem some C8's seem to have.

Anyhow - even though I'm annoyed about even having to send in my C8, Digi did a good job fixing it.

[dpdemo]

DC voltage on the pot, perhaps? That's always a recipe for noise on volume pots

[macr0w]

I've had my C/8 for about 10 months now and I just now hooked up the monitor section to see if it would crackle. So far I haven't heard anything(knock on wood). I had been running my monitors staight out from the monitor jacks on my 002R. One less thing in the signal path I guess. I may put it back the way I had it. It does not bother me for the volume to be in my rack because my headphone volume is right there anyway. I will report back.

[ccool]

>Would you rethink your purchase of the Command|8 based on these issues or
>is the functionality just so great that you can't get it in another controller?
>BTW, can someone explain the "flip" functionality that I'm told is unique to the Command|8?

I haven't sent my unit back in for retrofiting. However, to answer your questions, I would purchase the C|8 again. Work flow is my main reason. Just doing quick edits and stuff like that for voice over work makes it totally worth it.

I'm not recording too much music, although I use by equipment for that purpose sometimes. But, in doing self-engineering and edits of voice over tracks, running in and out of my sound booth, etc. the C|8 saves me a lot of effort. Anecdotal: On another bboard (recording.org), one user was describing his workflow in using his Mackie, how he had to turn down the mike pot, turn up the monitorning pot and do this-that-and-the-other while working. The 002-R/C|8 solved most all those work flow issues for me. I just push buttons.

I'll eventually send my c|8 in for retrofiting, as soon as I get a break or just decide to work without it.

The "Flip" function enables the faders as controllers for sends (level) or plug-ins functions.

CC