Noisy DI sockets

[paulfromcamden]

I have an ancient MTR active stereo DI with jack sockets that crackle a bit if I wiggle the cables.

Obviously not wiggling the cables is one solution but is there a quick/easy fix that doesn't involve a soldering iron?

Thanks!

[Hugh Robjohns]

Since it's an ancient DI box, it's probably just corrosion on the socket contacts. Cleaning with a suitable contact cleaner will help (eg, Deoxit D5 or Servisol Super 10) but it will almost certainly need some mechanical assistance as well with a suitable burnisher/solvent injector tool like this one from Studiospares (other suppliers do them too!).

I recently reviewed Krackle Killers which work well and aren't expensive. You spray the contact cleaner onto the foam plug, and then insert and remove it a few times (without rotating it!) to remove any crud on the contacts.

[Wonks]

You can try squirting some contact clearer in there and it might improve things, but if the spring connections are getting tired, then that may not give an improvement.

If the sockets are directly soldered to a PCB, then you might have a cracked/dry joint or two.

I'd try contact cleaner first, Caig DeoxIT, WD 40 Contact Cleaner (not normal WD40) or Servisol 10 (though that is best for pots) and see where you are.

[ef37a]

Also burnish the plugs with a plastic pan scourer then apply the merest smear of regular WD-40 to stop further tarnishing.

Dave.

[Martin Walker]

You can try squirting some contact clearer in there and it might improve things, but if the spring connections are getting tired, then that may not give an improvement.

Depending on the design of the spring contacts, opening up the box and bending them a little towards where the plug slots in can result in greater tension and a more reliable contact and they are cleaned.

I've done this with guitar jack sockets in the past and got years more life out of them.

Martin