Q2/Q20/Zoom

[26rednef]

Hi Charlie, long time no see.

First of all I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

You programmed my Q2 about 6/7/8 years ago I do not remember exactly and it still works good.
My questions:
Do you still program Q2:s and Q20:s and what is the big different between the programs in Q2 and Q20 ?
Is the Zoom as good as the Q2/Q20 what is the different ?
My Q2 is pretty old now so I have to go for a new one or something different like Q20 or Zoom or something else (I am not a fan of Zoom) or go for an old VOX tape echo, they are not so hard to find and there are new boxes on the market to day.

Best regards,
26rednef

[Amanda Hambidge]

Hi,

I thought I'd give my thoughts on your Q2,

Charlie has just released a free upgrade to the original patches that are on your Q2, which improve the sounds of the patches.

If you read the threads on the upgrades all the info is in there.

If your Q2 is working o.k. then I see no reason to change / upgrade your machine, the only problem you could see with it is if the backup battery fails and you lose the programs, but it is not too hard a job if you have any electronics knowledge and can solder.

One disadvantage of tape echo units is all the fiddling setting echo settings, which is obviously worse if you use one in a "live" situation.

I'm sure Charlie will reply later on, but those are my thoughts.

Season's Greetings

Amanda

[sheendigs]

Hi There
As Amanda said...if your Q2 is in good shape...just perhaps to be on the safe side..change your battery..because if it still an original one..it must have been installed in 1998!!
Ahem..and it is on the verge of failing..just open your box and you will see if it has been tampered with. Or one could check the voltage on this battery.
Also, with the new patches by Charlie,you should be good for many years to come.
The Q2 is a sturdy machine..and if you treat it well..you should be good for a long time.
Sheendigs

[Amanda Hambidge]

Hi again,

As Sheendigs said, you can check your battery voltage, it should be at least 3 volts.

If your unit has the intact seals as fitted by Charlie when it was programmmed, he usually gives permission to cut them for maintenance.

Amanda

[Charlie Hall]

Hi 26rednef,
I hope you are having a nice Christmas holiday.
I prefer to not program units these days but still offer a back up service to those units that I did program. Now I sell a different set of programs for the Q2 and Q20 for the owner to install.
What exactly is making you think your Q2 is on the way out?
There is very little difference between the Q2 and Q20. The RFX units are not as good.
Regards,
Charlie

[26rednef]

Thank you all.

The display is very foggy it has been so for a while, the battery was changed by you Charlie when it was programmed so it is just 6/7/8 years now. It has been problems with the stereo/mono settings from time to time. I like the Q2 re-verb it is far more natural then what I can get out from my TC E. G Force that is my backup and E.F.T.P:s multi head programs is also a favorite of mine. If the Q2 stop working I will relay miss it. I have owned many of the old machines. But I must say it should be hard to switch back. I do not miss the struggle with tape, dust, rubber wheels, head lining etc. The worst one of them all was the Swiss with its cassette I hated that one. Even Binson that I liked the best had problems, head to disk spacing, wire on the disk that had to be changed from time to time that needed a specialist. It is a dream to just push a button with your foot and you have a Meazzi running nice and clean, I like that!

Best Regards,
26rednef

[Charlie Hall]

Hi 26rednef,
Check your display contrast.
Press GLOBAL, then turn the wheel for the best view. I usually set to 8.
When done, press PROGRAM.
The stereo/mono settings might just be a poor switching connection on the L input jack socket, particularly if you are seeing only one set of LED indicators when using the R (MONO) input. If this is happening, clean the contacts with switch cleaner by spraying a small amount into the L input jack hole about 1cm in, pointing the nozzle up and to the left, then insert a jack plug in and out several times. This should restore normal operation.
Regards,
Charlie

[26rednef]

Thank you Charlie.

I think the display has the known "Alesis display problem", the contrast does not help, so I think a new display is the only solution to that. The stereo/mono problem is the way you describe it so I will try the switch cleaner.
Best Regards,
26rednef

[Charlie Hall]

Hi 26rednef,
The known problem of the displays is to do with the backlighting. Are you not seeing any backlight at all?
Backlight LEDs can be repaired with new LEDs, although I do not know which type of LEDs.
Regards,
Charlie

[26rednef]

It is dark at the lower right corner and at the top middle I think. what type of led are they using small round once ?? I can fix it, if it is just to change leds, but then I have to brake your lock sticker, do you accept that if I have to reinstall your programs ?

Best Regrds,
26rednef

[Charlie Hall]

Hi26rednef,
You may break the seals by cutting through the joins with a sharp knife but do not remove them.
The LEDs are not the usual round ones with solder leads, they are a surface mount type. I am not sure if they are supposed to be green light emitting types but I think so.
The display would have to be removed and then dismantled. It is quite a delicate job which also involves unsoldering two thin solid wires at each end of the display, and to be honest I do not even see the LEDs when I have taken one apart, but I know they are inside somewhere.
Perhaps Amanda could help here?
Regards,
Charlie

[26rednef]

Thanks Charlie.

Don't worry, I will fix it if it is that simpel. Normally I don't touch boxes I haven't built my self, but in this case it is so old that I can make an exception.

Best Regards,
26rednef