Board tape residue can be removed with a cleaner like Simple Green. If that doesn’t do the trick, step up to a citrus-based solution like Goo Gone. Make sure to read the directions and warnings on any cleaning chemicals.
As you clean, give the console an overall evaluation, looking for any damage. Be sure that any onboard option cards are installed correctly, and if no cards are used, check that the covers are still securely in place.
Next, check all the connectors to see if they’re loose or broken. A small soft-bristled brush like an artist’s paintbrush combined with a vacuum works well for getting stubborn dirt out.
Electronic connectors can be cleaned with a contact cleaner like Deoxit. Fiber optic connectors should only be cleaned with items made specifically for fiber, such as products from Sticklers, TechSpray and Chemtronics.
Examine the power cord for damage, and don’t overlook external power supplies. Clean out all ventilation ports and check the filters and connectors on the unit. Also check the power supply cables.
Once satisfied that the console and connectors are clean and in working order, plug in the console and turn it on. Check the firmware and software versions and visit the manufacturer’s website and see if there are any updates available.
Now is also a good time to check for updates for ancillary gear like computers or tablets that are used with the console. While at the manufacturer’s website, make up a USB drive for the console that includes a downloaded copy of the manual and any other user guides, as well as any firmware and software.
Finally, connect the console to a powered loudspeaker or a set of headphones, and then provide input via a microphone and/or playback device. Test the onboard connectors as well as the surface knobs and faders.
Go through every function and every channel on the console to insure each is working correctly. Sometimes features are duplicated on knobs and touch screens, so in those cases, verify proper operation both ways.
Moving Along
Not all digital consoles are stand-alone systems; many have relatively few onboard connections and are instead augmented with stage racks and remote input/output boxes.
Clean the racks just as with the console. Remove the dust and dirt with a vacuum and dry cloth, tidy up the connectors, and check the option cards and covers.