Just Picked Up A 416B Any Advice?

[SkoolboyJim]

I just picked up this MCI 416B that I found in a auto mechanic's shop. There is a great tech in town that is going to put me to work recapping the modules. He is going through the power supplies (4 of them) and he will do some other work as needed. It looks like it has API faders on it. Supposedly the owner got it from a guy in Seattle who got it from Eddie Van Halen's home studio. Who knows! I'm pretty stoked to put this in my home studio. Any recommendations as we go about going through it and getting it back up and running?

[SkoolboyJim]

This console has API faders. The plastic that covers the backside of the slot for the fader is dirty. Anyone know of a replacement?

[Jim Williams]

I'd replace them with P+G or TKD, newer faders are quieter and smoother.

Also consider those old opamps. Many have used LM356's in the metal can as a quick sub/improvement. Install wirewrap 8 pin machine sockets and all the DIP 8 opamps can be auditioned. Newer devices like the LME49710 or BB OPA1611 will lower the noise to nothing and allow you to remove/short out most of the el coupling caps. Then the low end gets huge and the top end water clear.

[SkoolboyJim]

Thanks for the reply Jim! My 416A still has most of the 2001 op amps in it. From what I've read, people still like those. Would you recommend these op amps and removing coupling caps even if I have the 2001's installed? Thanks!

[Jim Williams]

Only if the DC offsets remain below about 3~4 mv. Not much chance of that. Most liked the LM356's much better than 2001's, faster, more open, less noise, less top boost EQ needed. Those modern opamps mentioned have the DC offset laser trimmed. The sound is like after you land in a jet when your ears pop.

[SkoolboyJim]

Hey Jim, do you know if my early 416a console has 100 or 104 mm faders? It looks like the TKD 100mm faders are easier to source. Will those 100mm TKD faders fit into my API faceplates? Do I have to change the connectors? Thanks!

[Jim Williams]

I don't know the measurements, a set of calipers will tell you. The TKD faders have solder lugs so cut off the old connnectors and solder the wires to those. Using a better opamp does wonders in the 2 mix sum stage even if the rest are left stock.