Without getting into the phones' amp sound quality, I would strongly disadvise anyone working with a Zero8 to run the levels "hot" (as suggested by Korg).
Several investigative users have shown that the output analog sections are badly desigened in this mixer, and so by way of excessive heat it reduces the life of the Kaoss effector and of the mixer itself, causing several malfunctions.
Since running it "cold" (low levels) produces a signal with not acceptable signal to noise ratios (S/N), it is recomended to ONLY use the SPDIF out or the firewire connections to an external soundcard, notebook, etc.
ZERO 8 HISS OFFICIAL POST - HISS ISSUES ZERO8
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just a quick question
Despite its short coming i still think the Zero8 is one of the most innovative mixers out there, just the crossfaders with A&B selection and built in kaoss pad alone have not been seen on any comparable product since
I am wondering if its possible to run audio out of SPDIF to a converter box then RCA to monitors, would this help?
Despite its short coming i still think the Zero8 is one of the most innovative mixers out there, just the crossfaders with A&B selection and built in kaoss pad alone have not been seen on any comparable product since
I am wondering if its possible to run audio out of SPDIF to a converter box then RCA to monitors, would this help?
intrincate,
Soon after Korg acknowledged that normal operation of Zero8, produced hiss sound on its analogue output, they came up with a "solution" which basically is running all the relevant volume levels (master fader, etc) close to its upper margin below clipping.
This way the background Hiss is less perceived or masked. Obviously it still is there -as silent or lower volumed passages show- , but the actual Signal to Noise rate improves.
Running Zero8 this way is called HOT. Because the mixer gets very hot, which adds new problems to it, mainly reducing its internal components' life.
There are increasing users complains of failing touchpads and channels, which are a predictable effect of this HOT usage.
The alternative is using Zero8 firewire connection and outputing the sound thru the Laptop/PC soundcard, and running it in COLD normal levels. Or alternatively using its SPDIF out plus an external DAC if your amplification system lacks this input.
Additionally, there are some Users (from Hispasonic forum) which have opened Zero8 and added fans to improve its termal management design.
Hopefully many Zero8 users learn this and thus will enjoy a clean sound and long utilization of this literally wonderfull and unique mixer.
PD; That's a good reason on why you dont get a "read the thread" answer instead.
Soon after Korg acknowledged that normal operation of Zero8, produced hiss sound on its analogue output, they came up with a "solution" which basically is running all the relevant volume levels (master fader, etc) close to its upper margin below clipping.
This way the background Hiss is less perceived or masked. Obviously it still is there -as silent or lower volumed passages show- , but the actual Signal to Noise rate improves.
Running Zero8 this way is called HOT. Because the mixer gets very hot, which adds new problems to it, mainly reducing its internal components' life.
There are increasing users complains of failing touchpads and channels, which are a predictable effect of this HOT usage.
The alternative is using Zero8 firewire connection and outputing the sound thru the Laptop/PC soundcard, and running it in COLD normal levels. Or alternatively using its SPDIF out plus an external DAC if your amplification system lacks this input.
Additionally, there are some Users (from Hispasonic forum) which have opened Zero8 and added fans to improve its termal management design.
Hopefully many Zero8 users learn this and thus will enjoy a clean sound and long utilization of this literally wonderfull and unique mixer.
PD; That's a good reason on why you dont get a "read the thread" answer instead.
Thanks for the clarification.djcl.ear wrote:intrincate,
Soon after Korg acknowledged that normal operation of Zero8, produced hiss sound on its analogue output, they came up with a "solution" which basically is running all the relevant volume levels (master fader, etc) close to its upper margin below clipping.
This way the background Hiss is less perceived or masked. Obviously it still is there -as silent or lower volumed passages show- , but the actual Signal to Noise rate improves.
Running Zero8 this way is called HOT. Because the mixer gets very hot, which adds new problems to it, mainly reducing its internal components' life.
There are increasing users complains of failing touchpads and channels, which are a predictable effect of this HOT usage.
The alternative is using Zero8 firewire connection and outputing the sound thru the Laptop/PC soundcard, and running it in COLD normal levels. Or alternatively using its SPDIF out plus an external DAC if your amplification system lacks this input.
Additionally, there are some Users (from Hispasonic forum) which have opened Zero8 and added fans to improve its termal management design.
Hopefully many Zero8 users learn this and thus will enjoy a clean sound and long utilization of this literally wonderfull and unique mixer.
PD; That's a good reason on why you dont get a "read the thread" answer instead.
I added a fan right from the start after reading these forums.
Still reading from your post, you always have to run your channel and master levels "cold", even if on spdif, as te spdif connection will only improve signal-noise ratio compared to analogue master out, correct?
me too
i have a first gen model, that has had numerous problems. not only do i have the hiss that everyone mentions, now i believe my dac has blown out and the audio quality sounds like an 64 bit mp3. the headphone out, which i barely use, have also blown out. for a mixer that is less than 4 years old, and barely used, this is an utter disappointment. 3 words people
class action lawsuit.
how many are we?
class action lawsuit.
how many are we?
Re: me too
illeagle wrote:i have a first gen model, that has had numerous problems. not only do i have the hiss that everyone mentions, now i believe my dac has blown out and the audio quality sounds like an 64 bit mp3. the headphone out, which i barely use, have also blown out. for a mixer that is less than 4 years old, and barely used, this is an utter disappointment. 3 words people
class action lawsuit.
how many are we?
+1
germany
ghee hgt
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dummes kind
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Re: me too
class action lawsuit.
how many are we?[/quote]
+1
germany[/quote]
+1 = 2 germany
occupy KORG! we are 99% yo ; )
how many are we?[/quote]
+1
germany[/quote]
+1 = 2 germany
occupy KORG! we are 99% yo ; )
Last edited by dummes kind on Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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dummes kind
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but...
...seriously guys, does anyone know how to open the mixer? from the back or top or...? i want to install a fan and fix this y-axis sh*t with as less trouble as possible. thanks
Re: but...
I didn't add the fan internally, but externally as I didn't want to open the entire mixer which you will have to do to attach a fan internally.dummes kind wrote:...seriously guys, does anyone know how to open the mixer? from the back or top or...? i want to install a fan and fix this y-axis sh*t with as less trouble as possible. thanks
You almost have to unscrew every screw on the exterior of the mixer.
I simply removed the plastic sidepanel (with all the holes) and mounted the fan on the panel then placed it back again.
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dummes kind
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Thanks
hey intricate, thanks a lot for your answer. Now my one is completely out of order. I PMd almost everyone in this forum because now I want to get them all together and band up against Korg. This is seriously the worst R&D (and support) that I've ever come across. This will not stand ; )
But really, I hope everyone reads their PMs and gets back to me.
I will include my email adress to the profile now, anyone interested in joining the revolution, let me know!!!
But really, I hope everyone reads their PMs and gets back to me.
I will include my email adress to the profile now, anyone interested in joining the revolution, let me know!!!
Re: DAC
Korg pretends these things never existed. There is no support from them on hardware replacement parts. None. They tell you that support ended for this product and no spares are available. The DAC (for all that it's useless) was a custom job and is not pin-compatible with anything else that I know of.dvelop wrote:Is anyone still here? I wonder how likely it is to be able to fix or install a new DAC on these units to give them some analog out useability without the high noise floor?
Everything except a fried board is fixable. I bought a used Zero 8 for $200 CAD, the touchpad was defective. I ordered a new one for $50 CAD from eBay. 2 months later, no more output on all analog ports (headphones, XLR, 1/4). I once again opened it to find ALL condensers on the power supply were busted. I took only the power supply to a technician, asking him to swap them for me, which he did. Everything works as new once again. The repair cost an hour of time and $15 in parts, total = $75.
The Zero8 is no different from any other electronic device. If yours have an issue, start by unscrewing everything, unplug every cable, and look if anything looks wrong. In my case, there were burning marks on the PCB board just over the power supply, which led me to investigate it.
The tech told me first I should have bring him the mixer so he could really find where the problem comes from. Yeah right: another $60 just to open it and come to the same conclusion as me. And I'm no tech, it took 5 minutes to realize where the problem was coming from.
To those with defective headphones out, it probably just is a busted condenser on the power supply. To those with a defective touchpad: the connectors are probably broken due to excessive heat coming from the power supply. Condensers are cheap, just find a good tech and he could easily fix it for you. Defective touchpad: order another one from eBay before they're all gone.
The Zero8 is no different from any other electronic device. If yours have an issue, start by unscrewing everything, unplug every cable, and look if anything looks wrong. In my case, there were burning marks on the PCB board just over the power supply, which led me to investigate it.
The tech told me first I should have bring him the mixer so he could really find where the problem comes from. Yeah right: another $60 just to open it and come to the same conclusion as me. And I'm no tech, it took 5 minutes to realize where the problem was coming from.
To those with defective headphones out, it probably just is a busted condenser on the power supply. To those with a defective touchpad: the connectors are probably broken due to excessive heat coming from the power supply. Condensers are cheap, just find a good tech and he could easily fix it for you. Defective touchpad: order another one from eBay before they're all gone.