Year two: maintenance, upgrades and the parts that wear out

Studios do not break; they drift. A cable gets swapped, a fader gets bumped, a firmware update changes a default. Here is the quarterly hour that keeps the sound where we left it.

Every quarter

• Reload the saved console template and compare it with the current settings.
• Inspect the arm joints and tighten them. A sagging arm changes the tone.
• Replace headphone ear pads that have flattened. About $20 each and a large comfort gain.
• Check that the backup recorder still records.

Every year

Firmware updates on the console and interface, done on a day without a recording. Windscreens replaced. Cables tested with a $15 cable tester.

When to upgrade

When the show adds a host, when video enters, or when remote guests become regular. Not because a new model launched.

Ongoing Support

Remote help by video is billed by the hour with no subscription. Most clients use two to three hours a year. Spare parts ship from the Shop at retail cost.