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View Full Version : installing NI A8 inside of Ecler Nuo 2.0



Phi
04-11-2012, 01:54 PM
The "dream setup" thread got me thinking about trying to install my soundcard inside of my mixer.

Last time I opened it up I remember thinking there was a LOT of unused space under there... probably not enough... but I'm still going to open it up again and check.

Anything I should be especially weary of? Has anyone done a soundcard installation on an analog mixer?

djpenguin
04-11-2012, 02:03 PM
Why would you install a four-channel soundcard in a two-channel mixer?

hoff
04-11-2012, 02:25 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gGqW-AUHaY

a guy did it with a nuo 4, but i also don't see why you'd put it in your 2 chan mixer.

also... what if you wanna upgrade? what if you get a club gig and don't want to lug around your entire mixer? it's a cool project but there are advantages to having an external soundcard.

Phi
04-11-2012, 05:31 PM
Why would you install a four-channel soundcard in a two-channel mixer?

Two time code decks on A/B, Two internal decks, and loop recorder on C, Ableton receiving "FX Send" and dropping back in the master bus on D.

I like to think of the Nuo 2.0 as a super slim 3 channel mixer. I sacrifice the mid EQ, and the FX loop on the 3rd channel, and gain my X1, all within a twelve inch footprint.

Thanks for the link hoff :tup: this would be a permanent installation. I'm getting my girlfriend a komplete audio 6 for her birthday, I'll borrow it for midi gigs, and when I upgrade I'll just replace everything and keep this in the studio.

DJUrkelDee
04-11-2012, 06:50 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gGqW-AUHaY

a guy did it with a nuo 4, but i also don't see why you'd put it in your 2 chan mixer.

also... what if you wanna upgrade? what if you get a club gig and don't want to lug around your entire mixer? it's a cool project but there are advantages to having an external soundcard.

Tight!!! If I was a little more tech savvy I would try this with my EVO 4.

Phi
04-13-2012, 01:53 PM
Opened it up. The A8 ALMOST fits without modding the case.

I am going to have to move the headphone jack out of the way, raise the casing a couple of centimeters, run some fiber-optics from the LEDs to the front panel for full in/out and mic-gain feedback, connect a shaft to the A8's mic-gain pot, and drill a hole in the casing to get the knob into a recess on the side of the Nuo.


Will be back with some pics soon...

DJ Highline
04-17-2012, 07:56 AM
also... what if you wanna upgrade? what if you get a club gig and don't want to lug around your entire mixer? it's a cool project but there are advantages to having an external soundcard.

Same can be said with any Mixer with built in DVS like the Rane Serato mixers and the Traktor certified mixers. Now I don't understand the 4 ch in into a 2 ch mixer...

Peter Veness
06-11-2012, 02:48 AM
Hey Phi,

I was wondering if I could borrow your guidance on building a Audio 4 or Audio 6 into a Ecler -2.0.
I was wondering if you have any photo's you could show me of the process of your build.
Any tips??

I PM'd you as well.. Hope we can see some pictures soon!

Phi
06-11-2012, 09:56 AM
Yeah, sorry I didnt get back to you right away.

I'm working on some software stuff at the moment, so the hardware mod is on a back burner.

If you take the case off the sound card, mod some 45° rca cables to fit, cut a piece of metal out, and move the headphone jack... It's tight, but it will fit.

I'm also planning on running the leds up to the top or side, and running a shaft out for the mic gain knob, but you don't have to do those.

Good luck!

Peter Veness
06-11-2012, 11:34 AM
I've decide I am going to install my Audio 6, and going to route the 3rd channel to the mic/line on the Ecler 2.0. I'll post some picture as and when. I'd be interested to see how you'd run the LED's.

Cheers

Phi
06-11-2012, 11:49 AM
If you want to save some hassle just get cheap plastic fiber optics from a craft store and glue them on the leds. No rewiring that way.

Peter Veness
06-11-2012, 01:15 PM
I will just install the Audio 6 for time being. Do you know will I need to ground the Audio 6 to the chassis of the Ecler? I'll let you know how I get on, just about to multi-meter it all up and plan it out!

Phi
06-11-2012, 03:36 PM
If you don't need to ground it when used externally I don't know why that would change, but I am often surprised.

scottie the goonie
06-14-2012, 04:49 PM
If you guys could post post pictures of your install a lot of people would appreciate it.

TeLLy
06-14-2012, 08:54 PM
Pretty sure I posted this on the old forum, thought it may be useful here. This was my first one, really a giant spaghetti hackjob but it still functions 100% to this day. I disassembled the Audio8 casing and just used the PCBs. I grabbed some old computer motherboard standoffs I had kicking around and JB Welded them to the bottom of the NUO casing, then screwed the Audio8 down into that before reassembling. Wish I'd taken more pics but I got so engrossed in the task it totally slipped my mind till after the first test set was over.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/TeLLy77/28-Aug-2010%20Sortafied%20Ecler/IMG00056-20100828-1308.jpg

Main boards taken apart.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/TeLLy77/28-Aug-2010%20Sortafied%20Ecler/IMG00002-20100807-0034.jpg

Wires coming off the Audio8
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/TeLLy77/28-Aug-2010%20Sortafied%20Ecler/IMG00051-20100827-1944.jpg

To the solder points on the NUO's I/O PCB.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/TeLLy77/28-Aug-2010%20Sortafied%20Ecler/IMG00050-20100827-1944.jpg

All soldered up.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/TeLLy77/28-Aug-2010%20Sortafied%20Ecler/IMG00049-20100827-1944.jpg

Rear hole drilled then patched up with carbon fiber vinyl. I may eventually replace it with some real CF plate I have kicking around.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/TeLLy77/28-Aug-2010%20Sortafied%20Ecler/IMG00015-20100808-1623.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/TeLLy77/28-Aug-2010%20Sortafied%20Ecler/IMG00055-20100828-1253.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/TeLLy77/28-Aug-2010%20Sortafied%20Ecler/IMG00053-20100828-1252.jpg

Phi
06-14-2012, 10:52 PM
Awesome!

Thanx Telly, good to have you back :D

When I get around to doing my Nuo 2.0 I'll Post some pics

durtyjerzy609
06-15-2012, 04:29 AM
TELLY, did you gang you RCA grounds from the Audio * and then solder to the board? I found when doing the SL1's that the grounds always seem to fudge me up?

TeLLy
06-15-2012, 05:24 AM
If by gang you mean combined them all and soldered to a single ground, then no. It's been a while so I don't really remember, the best I can offer is the 4th pic. You'll notice the all-black wires are aggregated by fours then each of those sets of four soldered to a single ground.

durtyjerzy609
06-15-2012, 09:50 AM
i thought not, i tried that on the SL1 hack, but always ran into ground noise, it suck though doesnt it (lol) cos i hate balls of spaghetti

TeLLy
06-15-2012, 03:10 PM
Well if you could get yourself some ribbon cable then at least it would go from spaghetti to pappardelle.

durtyjerzy609
06-16-2012, 02:52 AM
Well if you could get yourself some ribbon cable then at least it would go from spaghetti to pappardelle.

wouldnt that be nice hahaha

Phil Noize
06-18-2012, 05:25 AM
Well if you could get yourself some ribbon cable then at least it would go from spaghetti to pappardelle.

It might be best to leave out the creamy cheese sauce and mushrooms!

durtyjerzy609
06-19-2012, 06:39 AM
mmmm cheese :D