Millennia TD-1 Issue

[fenix899]

Hey folks,

Was wondering if any of you have run into this problem before. Basically, when I plug any passive instrument into the instrument input of the unit, the output is extremely muffled, like someone put a blanket over my amp. As soon as I put something with a buffer in between or use an active bass, this issue goes away and all the high end is restored.

I've verified that changing the impedance value does not do anything, and that the through output has nothing plugged in so the signal isn't being split either. The signal path is as straightforward as it gets - Passive bass -> instrument input of TD-1 -> Balanced XLR out to audio interface.

Would appreciate any help I can get regarding this. The unit's already had a once through with Millennia and they told me all their tests are fine and nothing is out of the ordinary. Thanks folks.

 

[agedhorse]

First thing to check is that the speaker soak function is not engaged. I'm not positive, but I recall that it inserts a pad into the input and lowers the input impedance quite a bit below what's stated on the front panel.

If that doesn't work, e-mail Millennia's distributor:

SINGAPORE

• Team 108 Technical Services, 33 Tannery Lane, Level 6, Singapore 347789, +65 6748 9333
  Home

They are good folks, I used to work some gigs with John LaGrou back when we were both out in the field He doing field recordings and me handling live audio).

 

[fenix899]

Thanks for replying. I did check that the speaker soak wasn't engaged (in fact I took everything else out of the chain including the EQ) but unfortunately the issue persisted. I'll double check it again when I get to the preamp later.

I actually sent the unit back to Millennia for a once through because of this issue and the guys at Millennia were great to deal with - quick turnaround, and super willing to help. I'm just trying to figure out what this issue is cause they couldn't replicate it over there and all the diagnostics came back ok.

Apparently someone else has had the same issue over here 10 years back millenia TD-1 problem...., not sure whether he ever got it figured out - PMed him a while back to no avail.

 

[fast slapper]

Sounds like speaker soak might be permanently on. Strange that they couldn't replicate it.

Like you mentioned, not much in the way to go wrong. I'm sure you've tried different cables as well....

Have you tried plugging into the direct out jack? Theoretically it should be exactly the same but it's worth a shot.

 

[fenix899]

Sounds like speaker soak might be permanently on. Strange that they couldn't replicate it.

Like you mentioned, not much in the way to go wrong. I'm sure you've tried different cables as well....

Have you tried plugging into the direct out jack? Theoretically it should be exactly the same but it's worth a shot.

Thanks for the input! Just tried through the DI out (bass -> inst input of TD-1 -> DI out of TD-1 -> audio interface). Same issue persists - signal dulls when I run a passive signal and all the high end comes back with an active signal. I tried engaging/disengaging the speaker soak and when I engage it it definitely inserts a pad so I can feel the volume drop considerably, but when I turn it off the volume comes back to normal, which leads me to believe that it's not really the speaker soak problem. At this point I'm just confused.

 

[agedhorse]

Time for the manufacturer's help.

 

[AlexMG]

Did you ever find out what happened?

 

[fenix899]

Did you ever find out what happened?

Unfortunately nothing definitive. I was informed by John La Grou at Millennia that they use an active signal to test the DI input so it wouldn't have the problems that I mentioned as it is only my passive input sources that are being loaded down. I've dealt with it on my end by just using the XLR input, but my guess is that the entire impedance selection side of things is not functioning correctly.

 

[AlexMG]

Thanks for the reply! So you never sent it in?

 

[fenix899]

Thanks for the reply! So you never sent it in?

No worries man. I had sent it in once before for the flat fee servicing where they deemed it fully functional but the problem persisted when it came back and I just dealt with it. Couple years later on a separate line of communication with them I discovered what I mentioned above, where they are using an active signal to test the DI input. I didn't send it in again afterwards.

 

[AlexMG]

No worries man. I had sent it in once before for the flat fee servicing where they deemed it fully functional but the problem persisted when it came back and I just dealt with it. Couple years later on a separate line of communication with them I discovered what I mentioned above, where they are using an active signal to test the DI input. I didn't send it in again afterwards.

Thank you for the info

I’ve been really considering getting a TD1 for my bass and use the speaker soak to record but I would have to sell something else to make it work. Since they’re only on the used market now I’d like to avoid getting one with an issue as their fee to look into one is around $500

 

[fenix899]

All good man. Yeah I understand, it's a pretty big investment. It's the only channel strip I use for literally everything (bass, guitar, vocals) and it does sound amazing, not to mention built like an absolute tank.

I've only ever seen the issue I'm having mentioned twice in the internet so I would think that it's extremely rare. If you can get your hands on one to try one that would be ideal, but I understand that it's not always possible. Either way all the best!