Behringer Virtualizer Pro Cutting Out.

[Swizzuk]

Hi All,

 

Just a quick question to see where your thoughts on this lie.

I have a behringer virtualizer pro dsp2024p that I'm using in my rig for the panto I'm doing at the moment.

 

Its fed from inserts off a Soundcraft e-series and back into the stereo channel on the mixer.

Power comes from a ETA PD8L Power conditioner which also fires the Ultragraph FBQ6200, and mixer. (mixer is now plugged directly into mains, will see if that helps tomorrow night)

 

However, the problem lies with I look up occasionally and its turned itself off. Occasionally it leaves a 'U' on the display and the right led meter is fully lit up (but not up to the clip light) Othertimes its just blank.

When this happens, I get a loud hiss (almost pink noise) through the effects unit. (Found this out when it decided to go for the first time in the middle of an important solo!) Luckily this is only village panto, but still, ones personal pride and self drive for perfection is at stake.

 

I watched it carefully everytime I restarted it and was running it, but in between songs, I just left it off.

 

End of the show I pulled it out of the rack, wasnt hot so can't assume its overheating, isnt anywhere near any amps etc.

The rack lineup starts at the top with the power conditioner with lights, then the fx unit, then the eq unit. thats all thats in the rack and its an 8u rack.

 

I have changed the iec cable and am using a different socket on the power conditioner now, and also the mixer is now run direct to mains as opposed to through the power conditioner. Stayed on for the time it took me to do my backup on the PC then was time to shut down and get to the pub!

Will see how it fairs tomorrow maybe.

 

Does anyone have any ideas, experienced this before? Is it a faulty unit? (is new and was bought from turnkey in september)

Only has been used in my studio prior and no issues at all with it there.

Or is there some settings I'm missing on the unit for its particular set up and use.

 

Any ideas anyone has are greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

[Pyramid]

Hi

 

! Behringer! ;)

 

Not very helpful to you I'm afraid but about 6/7 years ago we used to use an Ultracurve. This shut itself off twice during performances, losing all sound. Needless to say nothing is ever routed through these any more - Only used for the Spec analyser function now!

 

I just don't trust the stuff but have a mate (amateur) who swears by it (because of the price methinks! )

 

Andy

[Swizzuk]

I can understand the price attraction of it.

The actually functions and sound out of the fx unit is really quite good for what it is and its RRP. (IMO) However, if its reliability is more than poor, I would consider placing it on ebay and upgrading to something that will not give me issues.

[Rob_Beech]

First of all, if you isolate the problem, by getting rid of anything else that might be causing issues, power conditioners and the likes, you've tried a new IEC, then you can establish where the fault lies.

 

If it turns out the fault lies with the unit (which is as likely as it being the power conditioner) then send it back. It is still under warranty and you will get a replacement sent to you.

 

What you do after this is entirely up to you. You can sell the replacement as new in box (which is will be), and buy something a bit better, or you can keep it and hope it doesn't do it again. I had a 2024 for about 6 years and sold it 6 months ago to someone who uses it regularly. It's never been one bit of trouble. I do have a 990 laying about broken.

 

 

Rob

[patrick_keys]

I've seen this once on my unit which has otherwise worked seamlessly for a few years now. We were experiencing mains overvoltage at the time (I measured 264V at one point) - I suspect that this may have had something to do with it. UK tolerance for mains voltage is supposed to be 230V +10/-6% or 216 - 253V. Might be worth having a look at your mains voltage and also the output of your power conditioner.

[Swizzuk]

Thanks Patrick, will certainly measure that this evening when I'm back at the hall and see if thats the cause.

Will report back either way.

[Swizzuk]

Well I shoved my meter into the power conditioner to see what it was giving and was suprised to see 215v. I checked the power sockets and they were the same. I kept the meter plugged in throughout tonights performance and glanced occasionally. It was stayed fairly steady around 217v for most of the performance, but occasionally reached 222v but still my unit wouldnt work.

I have brought it home tonight and plugged it into my sockets at home. At home I seem to have around 219v - 225v. Last time I checked it, and found the behringer to be working was at 219v.

Could there be something else thats causing this issue, or is it just power at the hall maybe?

[Rob_Beech]

That is on the low side, is it not? I realise there is a large tolerance on the supply voltage but it still seems low. remember that we don't actually operate at 230v, we just say we do.

 

I'd suggest finding somewhere with a higher supply and trying it then. I didn't have a problem with mine, and that went in some weird and wonderful venues and off various generators.

 

I wouldn't spend too long looking into this if the unit is under warranty. Do isolate the problem and if it is the unit. get it sent back.

 

Rob

[Swizzuk]

Hi Rob,

Yes, I agree it is on the low side and that we don't actually operate on 230v, its basically a national average isnt it? As I said, at home I measure about an average of about 223v and the unit works fine at home on this voltage.

I guess 215v is just too low for this particular unit, as all my other gear is operating normally, nothing strange seen at all.

 

Will try and see if I can't find some better power somewhere and run from there.

Really appreciate the help here.

Always so much to learn and experience!

[patrick_keys]

Sounds like you're just inside tolerance then. Power companies can fix undervoltage and overvoltage problems, but they take their measurements at the meter rather than at the end of whatever circuit you're using to power your equipment from. UK mains is supposed to be 230V but isn't - the tolerances were adjusted so that they could leave everything at the older 240V standard and still be within tolerance. However when adjustments are made at the substation now, they usually adjust to 230V.

 

One other thing to remember is the effect of current and the resistance of cables. A long extension cable has some resistance, and if you're drawing a large current, the effect of the resistance will cause the voltage to drop. Usually you should be uprating the size of cables for long runs to ensure that the effect of this resistance doesn't result in a cable overheating or a low voltage on the end of it. This also applies to earth current capability in the case of a fault.

 

I remember one event where we measured a 20V drop at the end of our single-phase cable when pulling 100A through it - unsurprisingly the cable started to get warm as it had effectively turned into a 2kW bar heater.