Interface failed, need a new one, any recommendations?

[ef37a]

Tony, are you ABSOLUTELY sure that B'ringer is centre negative?

That odd polarity is almost exclusive to guitar pedal supplies for variously contested reasons. Bloody silly of Behringers to do that if so.

As Wonks says, provided the supply can deliver around 2 amps at 12V most will be fine but I would suggest buying from a reputable source such as RS Comps or CPC/Farnell and not some 'no name' tat online.

I am sure CPC will do a properly rated supply and one with a 'universal' set of connectors so you can get the (VITAL!) polarity right. PLEASE tell me you own a digital test meter?

Dave.

[Wonks]

It is centre negative, or at least the graphic by the power connector on the interface says it is.

[Arpangel]

It is centre negative, or at least the graphic by the power connector on the interface says it is.

Absolutely. I had to change the polarity to negative on the PSU I tested it with.

[ef37a]

It is centre negative, or at least the graphic by the power connector on the interface says it is.

Yes indeed. I have managed to find a rear view with just good enough resolution to confirm.
THAT is bloody daft and an accident waiting to happen. I have and have had dozens of rat powered bits of kit and none have been centre negative except guitar electronics.

Dave.

[Arpangel]

PLEASE tell me you own a digital test meter?

Dave.

Yes! I do! as for knowing how to use it, that’s a different kettle of doo-daa!
I got a huge belt off that PSU, thought I was going to die! I couldn’t let go of it, I think I touched a charged capacitor, that’s the biggest electrical shock I’ve ever had, and they were tiny capacitors.
WARNING!

[ef37a]

PLEASE tell me you own a digital test meter?

Dave.

Yes! I do! as for knowing how to use it, that’s a different kettle of doo-daa!
I got a huge belt off that PSU, thought I was going to die! I couldn’t let go of it, I think I touched a charged capacitor, that’s the biggest electrical shock I’ve ever had, and they were tiny capacitors.
WARNING!

FORK!! TONY!! You easily COULD have died! That cap in a SMPSU rat is charged to peak mains voltage, about 330 volts and there is over a hundred times enough current available to stop the old ticker. Wired the right way it could probably kill a horse! (disconnected from mains there will be a residual charge that might be lethal to us wrinklies but would just be a painful surprise to a healthy person)

Wee power supplies like this are really so cheap that it is never worth taking the risk of opening one up. Heed the warning! "NO user serviceable parts inside"

Dave.

[James Perrett]

I have and have had dozens of rat powered bits of kit and none have been centre negative except guitar electronics.

I guess you've never owned any Philips kit then Dave. The PSU for my Philips cassette recorder (which also powered their their transistor radios and their portable record players) was centre negative. It also worked fine with guitar pedals.

[James Perrett]

I’m going to Cricklewood electronics later, hopefully they’ll have one.

Yes, the first one on the list that comes up when you click on Power Supplies on their website looks like it should do the job.

https://www.cricklewoodelectronics.com/ ... tages.html

I'd go for one larger than Behringer suggest and this one should power all kinds of other gear if you need it to.

They also have fixed 12V supplies but I'm not sure if they have the right polarity.

[ef37a]

I have and have had dozens of rat powered bits of kit and none have been centre negative except guitar electronics.

I guess you've never owned any Philips kit then Dave. The PSU for my Philips cassette recorder (which also powered their their transistor radios and their portable record players) was centre negative. It also worked fine with guitar pedals.

Ha! I used to service Philips kit for a living James along with many other brands. Philips ALWAYS did things differently from other manufacturers! They managed to build a radio without tagboards or printed circuits. They never used standard cartridges or styli for their pickups and their tuning dial mechanisms were a baffling array of mini "Bowden cables" instead of the dial chord everyone else found perfectly satisfactory. They even had to have their own, bespoke mains connectors way before IEC plugs were developed! And do NOT get me started on their microphones!

So, not at all surprised Philips did different. IIRC most of the early 'piano key' mono cassette machines used a mono 1/8th jack for DC power? Not of course the best solution.

Dave.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Just discovered a fault in the PSU of my 1820, where the lead goes into the in -line "lump" it’s shorted out, the wires are stripped at that point... it must have been like this since new, as it’s just been sitting I my rack, that would explain the burning smell.

It probably does explain the burning smell, but I can guarantee it wasn't like that from new. The lead has been tugged or stretched during or after one of your racking or re-racking efforts.

[Nazard]

I guess you've never owned any Philips kit then Dave. The PSU for my Philips cassette recorder (which also powered their their transistor radios and their portable record players) was centre negative. It also worked fine with guitar pedals.

And some older Roberts radios

[ef37a]

I guess you've never owned any Philips kit then Dave. The PSU for my Philips cassette recorder (which also powered their their transistor radios and their portable record players) was centre negative. It also worked fine with guitar pedals.

And some older Roberts radios

Weirdos. Roberts did make nice radios mind. Never came across one with a power socket. Maybe 'after my time'?

Dave.

[OneWorld]

I'm sort of glad I read this post, and about the 'fix' I was seriously considering buying a Berry UMC1820, as a spare interface, they seem such good value. But then read about it conking out after just as few years and though "uhoh, that's the Berry Curse again, abandon all hope ye who enter"

But now it seems maybe I was erring too much on the cautious side and the UMC1820 is good value after all. Hmmm, sat here in the studio, should I grace my place with that interface?"

[ef37a]

I doubt anyone could argue One that the 1820 is not great value?
As for the other Behringer "problems"? Well, I have had several of their products and yes, not what you would call "rugged" but in a gentle 'domestic' setup, perfectly fine.

I was quite impressed with my UMC204HD, especially the mic pres. Decent amount of gain and low noise. My only real criticism would be the low output level. Max out is IIRC only +4dBu. That may not matter in your situation and in any case the 1820 might be a bit hotter?

Dave.

[OneWorld]

I doubt anyone could argue One that the 1820 is not great value?
As for the other Behringer "problems"? Well, I have had several of their products and yes, not what you would call "rugged" but in a gentle 'domestic' setup, perfectly fine.

I was quite impressed with my UMC204HD, especially the mic pres. Decent amount of gain and low noise. My only real criticism would be the low output level. Max out is IIRC only +4dBu. That may not matter in your situation and in any case the 1820 might be a bit hotter?

Dave.

Yes you have a point there Dave. I was however considering the Berry as a backup t6o have just in case my current interface (RME) goes pop. Hope I am not tempting providence by writing this!

[DGL.]

Casio, Korg and Roland use(d?) centre negative supplies as well as do Brother label printers. Thinking of the last one I'm nearly 100% sure that the PSU that came with my PT-600DB is 12V 2A and it's definitely centre negative. Though at the moment I'm using a spare 4A psu from a TV that I've swapped the polarity on.

Edit: Brother AD-E001UK would probably be ok 12V 2A centre negative.

[sonics]

I'd be grateful that you still have a house, and take it as a sign that the universe wants you to experience a better interface.

I also assumed that you'd checked the power supply... I'm learning.

[Arpangel]

I’m going to Cricklewood electronics later, hopefully they’ll have one.

Yes, the first one on the list that comes up when you click on Power Supplies on their website looks like it should do the job.

https://www.cricklewoodelectronics.com/ ... tages.html

I'd go for one larger than Behringer suggest and this one should power all kinds of other gear if you need it to.

They also have fixed 12V supplies but I'm not sure if they have the right polarity.

Thanks James, I guess you select polarity by which way round you put the plugs.

Just discovered a fault in the PSU of my 1820, where the lead goes into the in -line "lump" it’s shorted out, the wires are stripped at that point... it must have been like this since new, as it’s just been sitting I my rack, that would explain the burning smell.

It probably does explain the burning smell, but I can guarantee it wasn't like that from new. The lead has been tugged or stretched during or after one of your racking or re-racking efforts.

Could be that time I ripped it out of the rack, and threw it across the room, when I lost patience with it.
I must stop doing that.

[Arpangel]

I guess you've never owned any Philips kit then Dave. The PSU for my Philips cassette recorder (which also powered their their transistor radios and their portable record players) was centre negative. It also worked fine with guitar pedals.

And some older Roberts radios

Weirdos. Roberts did make nice radios mind. Never came across one with a power socket. Maybe 'after my time'?

Dave.

Dave, we just bought a Roberts Revival Stream 3, it’s excellent, it’s got that lovely bassy warm sound, and the build quality is up to the usual Roberts standard.
Their after sales is amazing, a friend had a 70’s Roberts, they repaired it for him and rang him when it was ready to be posted!

[James Perrett]

Thanks James, I guess you select polarity by which way round you put the plugs.

That's how it works with a similar one that I bought from CPC

[tea for two]

https://www.cricklewoodelectronics.com/ ... tages.html

I might get this. I have similar but doesn't go up to 2250mA.
I do like electrical stores hardware stores. I ask the proprietor if I can just potter around I also say I probably won't buy anything. They always accomodating.

From this Cricklewood electrical store num16 bus goes direct to Church Street market which is a working class salt of the earth middle eastern part of London.
Fascinating is Abbey Road Studios is just approx 10min stroll down Church Street market turn left stroll approx 7mins. It's like a different world with Edwardian Georgian large properties, Art deco apartments.
I was there the working class middle eastern part two Saturdays earlier. Really hospitable towards me the small cafe I had proper mint tea falafels aubergines total £4. Couldn't understand a single word the elderly proprietor was saying in Arabic so a young chap in that typical yoooof London accent lol translated for me.
I feel more comfortable with the common folk (Pulp : Common People lol) salt of the earth wherever they are from, so the working class middle eastern part is my favourite compared to abbey road although I lived 3bus stops (5mins on bus) from Abbey Road Studios 2years.

[Arpangel]

https://www.cricklewoodelectronics.com/ ... tages.html

I might get this. I have similar but doesn't go up to 2250mA.
I do like electrical stores hardware stores. I ask the proprietor if I can just potter around I also say I probably won't buy anything. They always accomodating.

From this Cricklewood electrical store num16 bus goes direct to Church Street market which is a working class salt of the earth middle eastern part of London.
Fascinating is Abbey Road Studios is just approx 10min stroll down Church Street market turn left stroll approx 7mins. It's like a different world with Edwardian Georgian large properties, Art deco apartments.
I was there the working class middle eastern part two Saturdays earlier. Really hospitable towards me the small cafe I had proper mint tea falafels aubergines total £4. Couldn't understand a single word the elderly proprietor was saying in Arabic so a young chap in that typical yoooof London accent lol translated for me.
I feel more comfortable with the common folk (Pulp : Common People lol) salt of the earth wherever they are from, so the working class middle eastern part is my favourite compared to abbey road although I lived 3bus stops (5mins on bus) from Abbey Road Studios 2years.

Cricklewood Electronics is an institution, if it ever closes down it’ll be a major loss, to me any way.
Church Street market? what? It’s a Middle Eastern place now, I can remember when you could get real bargains there, for prices that you could sell on, not now, it’s all inflated, over priced tasteless crap.
I used to go there in the 80’s, bought loads of nice things I still have, now it’s just chancers trying it on.

[tea for two]

Cricklewood Electronics is an institution, if it ever closes down it’ll be a major loss, to me any way.

I been past it so many times when I lived in Golders Green the Jewish part of London 3years.
This will be the first time I go in.

Church Street market? what? It’s an Arab place now, I can remember when you could get real bargains there, for prices that you could sell on, not now, it’s all inflated over priced crap.

Are you thinking of the antiques stores building in Church street market. It's still there went in once in the 2years I lived near Abbey Road Studios.
There's something as 30antiques stores inside.

The rest of Church Street is as I said salt of the earth working class middle eastern. They are poor economically. Really hospitable to me even though I don't understand what they are saying and as I said my preference compared to abbey road.

[James Perrett]

Cricklewood Electronics is an institution

Yes, they've been around for as long as I can remember. The difference between them and others that have fallen by the wayside is that they've always been strong on mail order and then later, online ordering. They've also gone for the industrial and educational markets as well as the home constructor.

[Arpangel]

Church Street market? what? It’s an Arab place now, I can remember when you could get real bargains there, for prices that you could sell on, not now, it’s all inflated over priced crap.

Are you thinking of the antiques stores building in Church street market. It's still there went in once in the 2years I lived near Abbey Road Studios.
There's something as 30antiques stores inside.

The rest of Church Street is as I said salt of the earth middle working class middle eastern. They are poor economically .Really hospitable to me and as I said my preference compared to abbey road.

Yes, Church Street Antiques Market, interestingly, back in the 80’s, there was a great analogue tape shop there, just down from the market, you could get anything from cassettes to reels of tape.