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DIY Stompboxes => Building your own stompbox => Topic started by: OosterhoutW on June 08, 2023, 11:45:41 AM

Title: MXR M118 Analog Delay v1 SAD version not working properly
Post by: OosterhoutW on June 08, 2023, 11:45:41 AM
Dear reader,

I have some bad news. My MXR M118 delay stopped working. It has the three SAD chips and is the V1 mono version.

Whats wrong: the mix knob works kind of like a blend knob that blends wet/dry signal.
When the delay is turned on and the mix knob all the way to the right, there is 0 dry signal (which is normal) but also only a very feint, dark mushy delay sound. Not the full analog experience, if you will.
I have no idea what the problem might be. Bypass works 100%, if you turn the knob all the way down (to 100% dry) it works properly, so 0 delay mix = 100% dry sound, no weird eq changes.

I reseated the SAD chips and that didn't do the trick. I'm European so I have two transformers to regulate the powersupply. I am in the process of checking those.

Could anyone help me...?

Cheers! Will make pic's later.
Title: Re: MXR M118 Analog Delay v1 SAD version not working properly
Post by: StephenGiles on June 08, 2023, 03:11:58 PM
Bad luck, in what way has it stopped working?
Title: Re: MXR M118 Analog Delay v1 SAD version not working properly
Post by: Kevin Mitchell on June 08, 2023, 03:40:05 PM
Quote from: StephenGiles on June 08, 2023, 03:11:58 PM
Bad luck, in what way has it stopped working?
Quote from: OosterhoutW on June 08, 2023, 11:45:41 AM
When the delay is turned on and the mix knob all the way to the right...... only a very feint, dark mushy delay sound

Did you mess with any of the trimpots in there?
Sounds like signal going into the first BBD isn't biased properly or perhaps one of the BBDs are starting to deteriorate, which would be very unfortunate considering how the pedal isn't worth the current asking price of a replacement SAD1024 chip.

An audio probe and readable schematic is what you need.
Title: Re: MXR M118 Analog Delay v1 SAD version not working properly
Post by: ElectricDruid on June 08, 2023, 06:00:19 PM
Quote from: Kevin Mitchell on June 08, 2023, 03:40:05 PM
An audio probe and readable schematic is what you need.
Even without the readable schematic, with just a SAD pinout they might be able to find out if they've got delayed signal from some or any of the chips. That would help. It might be that you could get the thing running properly with somewhat shorter delay times by removing the faulty chip, for example. I totally agree that the audio probe is going to be essential though!