Digi 003 Rack Monitor Volume - crackling pot

[GordonFreeman]

Hi y'all!

I have had the Monitor pot making some crackly noises, so I tried what every studio tech tries first - Deoxit.

Well... that worked for about a day, and now it's even worse! I had this problem before with an old Mindprint interface, a while ago (but that one was a lot cheaper, so I just upgraded my gear).

What are my options? If I need to get this Monitor pot replaced, is there anything I should know beforehand, like the exact model number for the pots used on an 003 R?

Thanks in advance

[GordonFreeman]

Are the 003 Rack potentiometers sealed?

Maybe the Deoxit didn't even penetrate it! In that case, who can replace these?

This can't be that rare. Surely there must be people out there who have had the same problem.... Right?

[necjamc]

After recently replacing the pot's on my Marshall amp I'm willing to bet you need to find out the exact replacement for the pot. Taper, size etc. I have found that cleaning sometimes is useless because it just makes the dust stick together and get's spottier. Unless you can really blow it out, but that's not always good either.

[GordonFreeman]

I think these pots are sealed...
amps and electric guitars have vintage-style, open pots that are easy to clean - I spray my guitars and basses with Deoxit.
Newer equipment, like Digidesign rack gear, apparently uses sealed pots, to make it harder for tech engineers and savvy users to just clean it, and require an expensive repair from Digidesign... lol

I am basically waiting for a response from DigiTechSupt or the likes, telling me what model it is, if they are sealed, and how much Digidesign, or a representative, would charge to replace 2 or 3 pots in my 003 Rack.

Google has no information on this. At all.
Come on, can't really be that unheard of... In 2010, with the advent of twitter and google wave, there should be entire forums dedicated to tricks and hacks on how to get a dose of Deoxit penetrated into 003 Rack pots...

[necjamc]

Yes you would think so.

[GordonFreeman]

Hmm, indeed.

[necjamc]

Half Life I assume? Gordon

[GordonFreeman]

Hmm, indeed.

[albee1952]

Try to find an authorized Avid service center as they should be able to order replacement pots, or get you a part number for DigiKey(a great parts source not tied to Digidesign, despite the name similarity). Another option is to use a monitor controller like the Presonus Central Station so you can adjust the volume on that and not touch the cheap pots on the 003. I"ve had my CS for 3 years now and the pot is still quiet and smooth.

[GordonFreeman]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Try to find an authorized Avid service center as they should be able to order replacement pots, or get you a part number for DigiKey(a great parts source not tied to Digidesign, despite the name similarity). Another option is to use a monitor controller like the Presonus Central Station so you can adjust the volume on that and not touch the cheap pots on the 003. I"ve had my CS for 3 years now and the pot is still quiet and smooth.

Yeah, a lot of people would love a Presonus Central Station.
But it's $500, so only people with money to waste (or irresponsible credit card management) can afford to buy a new rack device to compensate for the flaws of another expensive device they already own... :)