Internal Maintenance
The main accumulation of dust in a console will be found on the motherboard, which is mounted in the bottom of the console frame. You can use either a vacuum cleaner or
compressed air, or a combination of these, to remove as much dust as you can. This must be done with power removed from the console. Care must be taken to not damage
any components on the motherboard or the console modules.
Aside from the motherboard, make sure all ventilation openings in the frame are also dust free. Since this should be done with modules removed it is a good time to inspect
for any evidence of liquid spill on all module circuit board surfaces and edge fingers. Any spill residue found should be washed away with plain water, or with a very mild
solution of soap and water, and then the washed areas rinsed if necessary in plain water. Allow any such washed surface to dry thoroughly before reapplying power. A hair
dryer or heat gun may be used to hasten the drying, but do not apply excessive heat that could damage electrical components.
External Maintenance
Do not use any abrasive or corrosive chemicals to clean the outer surface of the console. Module faceplates and the meter bridge area can be washed with plain water,
being careful not to let the water get into the console. Module faceplates are best cleaned when the module is removed from the console. The plexiglass on the meter
bridge is probably best cleaned using a damp cloth (water only). Do not use cleaners containing abrasives or other chemicals that could damage surfaces. Wooden frame
parts can be cleaned in a manner similar to what you would do to clean wooden furniture.
Power Supply
Don't forget to clean the power supply at the same time. Make sure the AC cord is disconnected from the power supply during cleaning. Once again, vacuuming or the
application of compressed air can be applied to the internal components. Check that any fans in the unit are dust free and can rotate freely. If you hear bearing noise from
the fan when the console is powered up then it's time to get a replacement fan.
The same outside maintenance procedures used with the console itself generally apply to the power supply as well, except that there is no plexiglass or wood to consider.
Maintenance Schedule
How often to do cleaning will generally depend on the cleanliness of the environment. Once a year may be adequate in a clean studio environment where food, beverages,
and smoking are prohibited (and the rules are actually followed!!). In a more hostile environment maintenance should be done more often, perhaps once a month. A very
dirty environment may require cleaning to be done even more often.
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Internal Maintenance The main accumulation of dust in a console will be found on the motherboard, which is mounted in the bottom of the console frame. You can use either a vacuum cleaner or compressed air, or a combination of these, to remove as much ...
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