Cleaning an outboard compressor

[Flatbadger]

I realise there's a few audio engineering types on here, so this is worth a go!

I got a Behringer MDX1600 compressor about 10 years ago - I was a smoker at the time and it got its share. For the past few years it's been more or less out of use, but I've recently dug it out and have started playing with it again.

So there's a fair bit of 'farting' going on where any voltage is having to negotiate a fair layer of crap inside there. Last night I sprayed a bit of WD40 in the inserts in the back, and tried to get a bit through the front - now I'm pushing a nice high signal through there to try and do some electronic trailblazing but progress is slow.

Does anyone have any tips, or is there anyone who specialises in this sort of thing, like having a 'bath' for cleaning electronics?
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If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[woodall57]

you can buy special contact cleaner for things like ins and outs n stuff but im not to sure about the insides

try www.muffwiggler.com/forum and look on there, they are a nice bunch of people unlike gearslutz haha
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cbt:4/7/12 theory:16/7/12 module 1:12/8/12 module 2: ?

[Flatbadger]

Ta, I might just go over there.

I'm making headway though, it seems the 'operating level' switches at -10dBV on the back make it better
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[neil.]

We run a fair few Behringer dynamics processors at work. Use a decent contact cleaner that leaves no residues or oil - NOT WD40. Something like Ambertron by Ambersil. Spray it in all the switches and work them vigorously, same with sockets, plugging and unplugging a cable quickly before it dries out. I've found the switches go intermittent on a lot of Behringer rack gear after a few years. If they have built in LEDs you'll see them flickering etc. Let the unit dry out properly after as the freezing cold temperature of the spray makes moisture form inside.

They don't really get that dirty inside as there aren't any fans pulling air through but you could whip the cover off and blow over everything with a compressed air duster. The units I've had apart are just a toroidal transformer and a PCB with op amps and loads of surface mount stuff - nothing fancy. At the age your one is at, look out for bulging/burst electrolytic capacitors and replace as necessary - Rubycon and Panasonic are decent replacements for them. Very common cause of all sorts of audio nastiness.
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[Flatbadger]

[woodall57]

yea also its behringer, your not going to get neve kind of build quality haha
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cbt:4/7/12 theory:16/7/12 module 1:12/8/12 module 2: ?

[Flatbadger]

[woodall57]

haha

i dont have any outboard, what daw do you use? and what audio interface do you have?
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cbt:4/7/12 theory:16/7/12 module 1:12/8/12 module 2: ?

[Flatbadger]

I imagine I'll be using a laptop with a (again!) Behringer UCA202, and might try one of my VST compressors. I'd prefer some real-world hardware control while still in the analogue realm though, and get that signal good and high before it goes in the 'pooter.
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS