Neotek Elite II - VU to Peak metering snafu

[Ron Flack]

Recently I removed the plexiglass meter module to replace  burned out bulbs in main VUs.  I had some after market replacement LEDs left over our MTR-90 II tape machine.  They are rated at 8 volts so they are really bright.  I can live with that in the short term.

The issue is now the bus meters are not metering accurately.  All really low.  And the difference between the VU setting and the PEAK setting are very close to one another.  Is there a chance that when I've reconnected with not enough light and poor vision, I swapped something?  What would cause such an outcome?

I recently calibrated all the bus meters so  I was getting consistent metering from the tape machine to the console and to the DAW.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Anyone know where I could find a good dryer duct guy?  ... sorry, too soon.

[ik...@zimbelaudio.com]

Just to be clear, you're running the 8v LED meter bulbs directly off the 36 volt meter supply?  If so, that rail is unregulated, so perhaps the meter bulbs are dragging it down. I would take those bulbs out and see if your metering returns to normal.

~Ike Zimbel~

   Wireless frequency coordination specialist.

   Manufacturer's Representative

   Radio Active Designs (Canada)

       ~416-720-0887~

FCC:WRBX645

   http://www.zimbelaudio.com/wireless-frequency-coordination/

 

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From: neote...@googlegroups.com <neote...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Ron Flack <rjames...@gmail.com>
Sent: March 5, 2026 12:03 PM
To: Neotek <neote...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [Neotek] Neotek Elite II - VU to Peak metering snafu

 

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[Ron Flack]

Great call Ike!  Your assumption was correct.  I had replaced the original bulbs with 8v LEDs.  I just took them out and with the small amount of testing of done I'm back to normal.  Thank you.  I tried to read the numbers on the original bulbs but couldn't make it out.  Do you know what the correct replacement is?  They seem to be pretty small for a 36 volts.  The picture bulb to the left looks like 26v possibly.

Thanks for responding.  Much appreciated.

rf

[Ron Flack]

@Ike After future testing I've realized I had the signal generator boosted... the issue persists.  But removing those bright LEDs is an improvement.  It's at least a consistent outcome at all bus meters.  That makes me feel like the issue stems from a single cause.  I'll continue to check the connectors to make sure nothing is misplaced.      

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Ron Flack

Artist Development, Recording Engineer

Realgrey Records LLC / +1(330) 546-2049 

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[Mike S.]

Hi Ron

The Light bulbs used by Sifam was 26V or 24V with a resistor in series to drop 10-12V for the 36V supply

For any other size bulbs or LED you have to adjust the series resistor for correct value and wattage 

Sincerely

Mike Stoica

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[Ron Flack]

Thank you Mike.  Any thoughts on what would cause the bus meters to be reading low?  That problem is persisting. 

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[Mike S.]

Meters have few voltages +/- 18V and a reference voltage controls from a trim pot from the master section, aslo 35V

Please check those voltages to the meter , may be a the power supply or the voltage reference

Sincerely

Mike Stoica

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[Ron Flack]

@Mike Stoica

When I measure the voltage at the connections for the bulbs I get 31.5 volts.  My assumption is that the the +/- 18volt is when the meters are reading "reference" signal from the consoles internal tone generator.  Is that what you are meaning.  Forgive my lack of understand. 

The core issue is that the VU (as in VU or PEAK) mode for all the bus LED meters are displaying -10 VU when I'd expect to see 0VU.  PEAK is slightly lower.  When I was initially removing the burnt out bulbs I pulled  meter session  forward out of the bridge.  I thought the console was off ... it was not ... I did smell something hot and immediately turned the console off (self inflicted injury).  I inspected the master section meter cards and didn't see anything showing signs of being burned so I preceded.  After installing the LED (bulb replacements) and turning on the console all appeared to be fine ... the LEDs worked ... but the meters are now metering low.

@Ike Zimbel

I spoke too soon.  I had my test signal turned up from prior testing.  I thought we had it  ... when I returned the signal to +4dbu, I should be seeing 0VU on the LED bus meters they are at -10VU.  That is a consistent reading across all buses.

There doesn't appear to be any new audio issues introduced for which I'm thankful.  I'm still operational.  This is busy season for us.

Appreciate thoughts and I thank you both kindly for your input,

rf

[ik...@zimbelaudio.com]

Ron,

    The +/-18v audio rails also go to the meter cards to power the meter audio circuits. The +36v volt meter supply is the raw current for the LED's to run on. These are separate supply voltages. There is also no correlation between the fact that +/-18v adds up to 36v, and the 36v supply rail.

If I had to guess (and I do...) I suspect that you may have damaged the circuitry in the master section

that calibrates the LED meters. I think this is on the same module (and circuit board) as the oscillator.

If you are busy now, I would just live with it (especially if the metering on tape-machine/converters is still correct) and sort this when things quiet down. Digging into the master section leaves you open to the possibility of doing further harm and disabling the console.

Best,

 

~Ike Zimbel~

   Wireless frequency coordination specialist.

   Manufacturer's Representative

   Radio Active Designs (Canada)

       ~416-720-0887~

FCC:WRBX645

   http://www.zimbelaudio.com/wireless-frequency-coordination/

 

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From: neote...@googlegroups.com <neote...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Ron Flack <rjames...@gmail.com>

Sent:also Sunday, March 08, 2026 12:01 PM
To: Neotek <neote...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Neotek] Neotek Elite II - VU to Peak metering snafu

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