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Properly Cleaning Mixing Console Faders
Cleaning a fader is not brain surgery, but it takes practice and a lot of care. Here's how to go about it - successfully.
Apr. 11, 2012, by Alex “Skip” Welti
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With relatively new faders in particular, do as little as possible in order not to undo the original lubrication.
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  Audio Basics, Recording, Live Sound, Console, Mixer, Maintenance

A total fader rebuild should take only about 5 to 10 minutes, after going to the trouble of taking apart the console to get to the fader.

If I take a module out for repair, I go ahead and clean its fader at the same time. Otherwise, I do fader rebuilding as part of a larger console-cleaning project.

There are several different types of fader construction. Higher-cost faders are literally a “snap” to take apart; that is, they have a “snap together” design.

A much more pleasant use of a dental pick than usual.

The main parts of a typical fader include the element that carries audio on conductive tracks, the carriage that holds wipers against the tracks, and the rails that guide the carriage.

Be extremely careful with the wipers - they’re easy to damage, and once bent, the fader is toast.

After opening the fader, first blow away the loose dust. There might be dirt wedged in at the point where the carriage and rails meet, so use a dental pick to loosen this up, and then blow it out.

Again, blow the loose dirt out.

Use a strip of clean cloth dipped in isopropyl alcohol to clean the rails, pass the strip under and around each rail. 

Gently wipe the surface of the conductive element with a clean cloth dipped in alcohol or contact cleaner. Be gentle, and do NOT go under the carriage with the cloth. This can damage the wipers!

Top it off with just a dab of lubricant. Caution: a little goes a long way!

Apply just a few drops of lubrication to the rails and exercise the fader. Blow away any excess lubrication with and reassemble the fader

And that’s it. With a little practice and patience, anyone can make old faders feel like new again!

Editors Note: For more information on console maintenance, check out Zen & The Art Of Mixing Console Cleaning & Maintenance.

Alex Welti is vice president of research for Creation Audio Labs, a service facility in the southeastern U.S. He served for a decade as service manager of Soundcraft, and prior to that, worked as a technical supervisor for Westlake Audio.


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Comments (3) Most recent displayed first
Posted by lawrence  on  01/13/12  at  11:00 AM
is it ok to use radio shacks cleaner lube
Posted by dusty  on  07/14/10  at  11:53 AM
Great article! I would just add one small detail.I suggest using denatured alchohol instead of isopropyl alchohol as the latter can leave a slight trace of tacky film not obvious to touch or sight.This over a period of time can help to attract more dust and dirt.Denatured alchohol evaporates quickly and leaves no residue behind.Making it a great cleaner for electronic purposes.
Posted by Aram  on  07/13/10  at  03:08 PM
I think I agree with most of what Alex says given the type of fader he is working with, But the faders he is talking about come out of very expensive consoles. At that level, I'd prefer to replace, though I am frugal.

As far as regular "railess" faders, I would disagree on the air compressor. Better to use a shop vac and let the air rush through the open slot, and suck out all the "dust bunnies", then use Caig Fader lube. If too dirty, degrease with Electro-wash, and then the faderlube. Even if the fader is not silky smooth going up and down after this method, the signal will have intregrity. I do not recommend taking this version of fader apart unless very desperate. Most likely several years old at that point anyway. Good luck to you Alex!

Aram

Dynastar Electronics

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