[Ted Fletcher]

Hi Luc, probably the right person to ask is Mik Law at BCD Audio, he would certainly have worked on that desk, and will know it well.

[Ted Fletcher]

The problem is that there has been so much work elsewhere…….
I’m going through the mail now! 😯
Ted

[Ted Fletcher]

Well you see Hedi, I did like the green…. and it did very well for me back in 1993.
It’s true that the new P38EX is the best looking gear! (Ans the new mic looks nice too!)
I have got black knobs that you could have. Send me an email with how many you need…. the cost is about 6p each.
Ted

[Ted Fletcher]

Hi Jogen, The only thing I can do is to replace the input pot…. if the imbalance is very bad then this will fix it, but the tracking on the input pot is always a problem.
If you would like me to look at it then please send it to me at the Sound House. With all these JoeMeek units I charge a flat fee of £25 plus the cost of returning the unit.
I can’t guarantee to fix everything, but if it’s fixable, then there’s a good chance!
Ted

[Ted Fletcher]

You should have the circuit diagram by now.
Ted

[Ted Fletcher]

On the P2 there is no advantage to by-passing the input stage, that circuit is a very good balanced input, very low noise and distortion, and totally transparent.
If the P2 has an insert point (I’m in the USA at the moment so I don’t have the circuits with me!) then you are quite right, the tip is a way into a buffer amplifier just in front of the compressor; yes you can use a simple unbalanced jack to input at that point.

[Ted Fletcher]

That’s an interesting question and I’m not absolutely sure of the answer….. Testing some of the very early Joe Meek units recently, I have not noticed any change in performance of the cells… they certainly don’t wear out like tubes (valves). I think it’s likely that the life span is very long.
Regarding the technology; I used a later and faster type of opto cell in the TFPRO gear, it gives a greater range to the attack and release, but the performance of the P2 is very similar to the earlier VCTwin. The P2 was a sort of ‘crossover’ product’, there were changes to the circuitry but the performance was similar. Now we have the P10 which is completely different with its increased facilities and very sophisticated compressors.

[Ted Fletcher]

This is probably a unit made at the time of the sale of the Joemeek name… I don’t recall it, but I expect the circuitry is the same as the VC1QCS. If there is serious distortion then I suspect that the problem is in the power supply…. it should read 15-0-15.
If you continue to have problems with it, I can fix it for a payment of UK£25 plus the cost of returning it to you.

[Ted Fletcher]

Yes, the limiter is very good…. we knew something about low budget broadcasting in those days!
But the news i8s not so good on documentation…. I have nothing but a picture.

[Ted Fletcher]

The procedure is just send it to me at The Sound House, Hunsdon Road, Torquay TQ1 1QB. and I will look at it as soon as it arrives.
When it’s here I will email you asking for the £25 plus cost of return…. you can pay this by paypal.
In January I shall be away in USA until 14th so best wait until after that.

[Ted Fletcher]

With a lot of less expensive equipment, you are right; for example, it’s very unwise to exceed the zero point on any Behringer equipment…. but with a unit like the old VC1Qcs it is perfectly OK to slam the meter into the red. The rule should be, ‘use your ears!’ All my equipment is designed to handle large overloads and this is one of the secrets of a smooth professional sound. Don’t worry too much if the meter slams into the red!

[Ted Fletcher]

Bit of an odd one….. if the LEDs operate, then the problem must be with the cells, but that’s very unusual.
I have to suggest that the best thing is send it to me and I will fix it…. setting up the stereo compressor is not too easy.
I charge a fixed £25 plus the cost of returning it to you. I’m happy to send you replacement cells, but I think it would be more efficient to send it to the Sound House!

[Ted Fletcher]

Congratulations!
That’s an odd one…. I don’t recognise it. I would like to see a picture of it.
Certainly if it’s working, don’t mess with it, leave it alone!

[Ted Fletcher]

Using the VC1QCS, the only way to achieve a pad is to use one of those ‘in-line’ pads made by Shure; they look like an enlarged XLR connector. I suggest a 20dB pad.
The TFPRO P2 is a later design with a better mic amp than the old VC1Q, but the best answer would be a P110! This has a much wider range mic input and a superior compressor.

[Ted Fletcher]

Hi Frank, I can service any of those older JoeMeek units… I charge a fixed fee of £25 plus the cost of returning the unit.
If the power transformer is blown I will replace it….. no, it won’t change the sound!

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