Tips and Tricks
Take Care of Your Audio Gear
Proper maintenance can extend the life of your equipment and help you avoid costly repairs. Here are some practical tips:
Dust control: Dust buildup in potentiometers, faders, and ventilation grilles can cause noise and failures. We recommend weekly external cleaning and vacuuming vents every 3–6 months.
Proper use of potentiometers: Avoid universal sprays. If you notice noise, cleaning should be done with specific contact cleaners or by a qualified technician.
Environmental conditions: Keep your gear at 18–25 °C with 40–60% relative humidity. Avoid direct sunlight and proximity to heaters.
Connectors: Periodically check RCA, XLR, and jack connections. Clean with suitable products (isopropyl alcohol) and avoid abrupt cable movements.
Power supplies: Disconnect your equipment during long breaks to reduce thermal stress on capacitors and transformers.
Preventive maintenance: For intensive use, schedule internal cleaning and lubrication of moving parts every 12–18 months.
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Potentiometers Care
Potentiometers (or “pots”) are critical components in mixers, amplifiers, and vintage audio gear. Over time, dust and oxidation can build up inside, causing crackling noises, volume drops, or inconsistent behavior when turning the knob.