Item List
Free DIY Repairing and Modding Resource
After making music for a few years there's no escaping the need for decent hardware. If you think about it even your computer and speakers are hardware. Whether it be a synthesizer, a mixer or compressor you need, you will want to keep it in good nick, especially if it is vintage gear.
Here is a list of repair and mod projects, and an insight into gear used, repaired or sold on by Delta Tek Sound in the quest for great sound. It is advised that you research any repair or modding project beforehand. Free to download useful documents are available in some slideshows.
List is in order of completion - most recent first.
Special attention should be paid to electrical safety. It is advised not to work on equipment when it is powered on, unless you are trained and/or have sufficient knowledge to do so. And, to be aware of electrical discharge, such as from capacitors even when the unit is powered off. Refer to a dedicated repair service if you are not happy doing this kind of thing.
Drawmer DS201
14/07/2022
Analogue gates are one of those things where you wonder whether you really need them, seeing as a computer can do the same thing. However, after using this unit for a while I can say I probably won't be selling this one, because of it's clean crisp and snappy sound. It also has a really fast attack and release, so gating fast rhymical sounds can create really nice choppy effects. It also has a duck feature. This item had all the electrolytic capacitors replaced.
Drawmer MX-30
17/01/2022
I used to have a Drawmer compressor a long long time ago, and missed the bite it had when compressing. So I picked this MX-30 up for £25, cheap because it was not powering up. However, it has been fully repaired, and now in 2022's market is worth around £200. It will probably stay in my rack though, because I like it so much.
SMPro M-Patch 2
06/03/2019
Most computers, powered monitors and recorders don't have a dedicated volume control, right! With one of these things you can. Have it hooked up just before your powered monitors and just after a patch bay, and you can control the volume of anything going to your powered monitors. You don't even have to switch it on - great stuff.
SPL Vitalizer 9320 (Blue Face)
18/04/2018
Another Classic SPL Vitalizer 9320 (XLR Stereo Version).
Great for mastering EDM styles. In this project all the capacitors were replaced with high quality Vishay, Rubycon, and Nichicon ones. The internal 5K trimmers were replaced, and the Voltage Regulator IC's were replaced because these can get very hot. Sold to a customer in Montenegro.
SPL Vitalizer SX2
20/12/2016
A great piece of kit if used the right way. It can be used in mixing and mastering and adds some old skool 90's harmonics and bass enhancement. In this project all of the electrolytic capacitors were replaced along with the voltage regulators. The XLR PCB mounts were re-soldered and the internal output trims were re-calibrated. Sold to a customer in South Korea.
DBX - 1066 Compressor
05/03/2016
This is the dbx 1066, not as expensive as some compressors but a good creative tool. A walk through guide on one way to service and/or mod this piece of kit. Two capacitors that looked a little worse for wear, were replaced and the optional output transformers (Jensen JT-123-DBX) were installed, as well as replacing some Insulation Displacement Connector's (IDC's). This item was sold to a customer in Spain.
TC Electronic - Finalizer
02/10/2015
Getting the internal battery replaced by official TC Electronic repair shops can cost over £100. The unit is held together with Torx screws as well, so trying to replace the battery yourself seems almost impossible, but it can be done, with a little patience, and some inexpensive tools. This can also be done on Fireworx units and other TC Electronic gear too.
