Prompt desk parts

[TeeJay]

Hi all,

 

I'm wondering if the fine folks on this forum can suggest makers of prompt desk parts.

 

The situation:

 

Last Christmas, a little PCB balanced mic to line level pre-amp which was part of the calls circuitry in our prompt desk caught fire. This was safely resolved and, with the evening show looming, the equivalent piece was procured (stolen if you like) from our studio prompt desk.

The studio tech was informed - and there was no problem as they rarely need to use calls and he'd deal with it.

 

All was well.

 

Forward nine months and our events dept is suddenly kickin' up a stink because they couldn't do calls in the studio space from the prompt desk (they could from the control room and the main foyer entrance but that didn't count).

 

It turns out that the studio tech sat on the issue of replacing the part so we are now looking to get a few of these circuits boards for replacements and spares.

 

The board was made by Millbank, who have no record of the board.

We've tried contacting Northern Light who were in charge of our last refurbishment and used the board in a number of items (not just the prompt desks) but they don't seem to be responding to us.

 

As Northern Light aren't getting back to us as fast as we would like, I'm open to offers from others who could do something similar, either knowing someone who would respond to our enquiry, or whom we could show the PCB with an air for them to make versions of.

 

Commecial posts via PM please, but answers providing other suppliers of prompt desk parts can be public posted.

 

Many thanks for your time.

[Brian]

Canford do all sorts of little modules and used to do a range of PCB solutions.

[Dmills]

One of the Radio Design Labs stick on modules like the STM-1 possibly?

 

Regards, Dan.

[Bobbsy]

If literally all you need is a mic to line preamp, these are EXTREMELY common devices in audio. They're often used in the recording community...and are available in quality/cost levels ranging from "home cheapie" up to specialist units costing over a thousand pounds a channel.

 

For your application, just go with "home cheapie" since sound quality isn't an issue. Just go to any supplier of audio gear and search on "mic pre-amp" and you'll find tons.

 

Bob

[TeeJay]

It's less of it being a pre-amp and more of trying to find a supplier for prompt desk parts. Yes we need the pre-amp (and thanks to everyone who has responded on and off-list btw) and any such device that runs off a 24v supply will do the job.

 

But there is a particular hole that a particular pre-amp PCB fits onto and that PCB also fits into every call station in the building so it was also a method of being prepared for when it happens again (cos, you know, it will :( ) Finding a supplier for that part, means that we are likely to find a supplier who can also help us if other parts fail. I'd much rather use someone who has prompt desk parts 'on the shelf' than have to find a new solution each time.

 

I did concentrate on the pre-amp in my original post so I get what you say (and probably would have said something similar myself <_< )

 

As and when we get this sorted I'll post the details up for other prompt desk carers.

 

Cheers

[rob.d]

I can empathise with the Millbank situation- if your equipment is anything over 5 years old, Millbank as a company have changed ownership and moved all around the country several times in the last few years. Thats probably why no one knows anything about your gear. If you speak to them, ask to speak to Pat. He's one of the reps and usually only available on a mobile phone, but he's very knolwedgable and I suspect that he's worked for Millbank for many years. He's helped me find parts for discontinued lines before now, and at one stage I believe they did have uncatalogued stocks of input modules, etc.

 

Either that or look into a new system, it sounds like the existing one has had a good innings!

 

Hope this helps

 

Rob

[TeeJay]

Just so you are all aware,

 

I've spoken with the good chaps at Northern Light and we look to be purchasing some new cards for replacements and spares.

 

It seems like we timed this fairly well - the card is being discontinued shortly so this gives us a chance to get a couple of spares in as well.

 

@Rob: The system is not yet into double figures and while it may not have had the TLC that it should, I'm sure we can get a few more out of it. That, or Pat will be getting a phone call :huh:

 

Thanks to all the replies and PMs.