Dear All,
Just found site - most helpful.
However, I'm struggling to find a remote which will do what we require.
Basically, we will be moving the pre-amp next door as part of a reinstall here. The pre-amp remote is broken and is not available to purchase because it is so old. (Quad 66 preamp)
SO we need a remote to replace our current one - but here's the biggie - we need to be able to see how high the volume is set from the remote! Is it possible to obtain one which could be calibrated to show a 'pseudo' volume level on the display?
Thanks for any advice,
Daniel G.

I would advise trying to see if your old remote can be repaired. Try contacting the guys at http://www.replacementremotes.com to see if they can either repair or replace your remote.

While it might be possible to find a universal that will work the Quad, you won't find one that will display the volume level.

Rob
http://www.hifi-remote.com

you might be able to do it with a Pronto.

Even with the Pronto, he would still need a remote to learn from. I could only find one ccf file for Quad devices and it was for the Quad 77, which might not use the same signals.

Rob

Thanks for your help guys.
Sadly the Quad remote doesnt display volume level either, so I was hoping to kill 2 birds with 1 stone with a new remote.
When you say "a Proton might do it" - do you mean volume level display or just as a straight replacement?
Ta.

Somehow I think some information is missing. I suspect you want to use the remote from ANOTHER location other than where the preamp is going to be located? Otherwise, I can't see the importance of needing the volume level on the remote, itself (your ears would tell the user what the volume level is).

The original post mentions moving the preamp "nextdoor"; but doesn't define if that means one room over from it's current room, the next apartment, or to a house next door, nor where the remote is going to be used from. I'm trying to figure out the "volume level display" requirement need.

To be truly functional, that display would need to be totally "in sync" with the actual preamp, and the only guaranteed way is if the actual preamp provides feedback to the remote as to it's "relative volume level position"; ie., if someone manually turned up the volume with the preamp's manual volume control, the remote would have to know that.

I suspect he wants a volume slider control similar to what is typically used with windows on a pc. Is that possible to set up on a pronto? Is (at least) one of the intended users of the remote deaf? Has he "sold" the preamp to a next-door neighbor with the proviso that he would have a remote to be able to turn down the volume if the system is a nuisance to him? Clue us in on the required need to have the volume level display, there may/may not be other factors which will weigh in on if this is possible.

Jim

Thanks Jim for your detailed response!
OK, so the exact situation is this:
The Quad preamp is currently situated in a mastering studio which, as part of a refit, is having all the amplifiers and outboard gear moved into a separate adjacent room to take all the noise out the studio itself.
To keep the preamp inside the studio would involve running long cables backwards and forwards between the power amps and the other gear, which would obviously sacrifice the sound quality and increase hiss & hum etc., not to mention add loads of wiring to the room.
The preamp itself does not have a volume control but has a level LED meter. The remote does still just work but is getting very cranky and the buttons are on the way out.
It is old gear but works very well, and is a hot favourite for this sort of application, mainly because of the big chunky remote control which can sit right on the workstation.
However, unless the amp is in view it is impossible to tell how loud the system is set, and with 2 500W power amps, you could potentially end up seriously damaging your health..!
So, anyway, because the amp is not adjustable without the remote, and because it remembers its level when its switched off and on again, I dont see the need to have any feedback from the amp to the remote.
I would be willing to replace the Quad preamp if there was a preamp out there with a full remote giving a volume and source display if you know of one?
Anyways, thanks for now.
Dan G.

Dan, I have seen on the Pronto CCFs that contain images of levels. Obviously, if the equipment has preset levels, then the task is easier, since you can use the presets exactly. But even without presets, there is ways around it.

The graphics can be relatively simple, like a knob that shows the level, or a bar that changes, ....

or more complicated look at this example


as for the back end there are several options

1) go all the way down and back up: if commands are not lost, then you should know exactly at what level it is

2) use relative positioning:
each step sends the number of vol + and vol- needed to move from the given level to the level you pushed


obviously for any of these to work you will need to make sure that

a) levels are not changed except by the remote

b) no direct volume control

c) preamp must always receive all the commands

OK, understandable. Moving the equipment to an adjacent room to cut down on clutter, and some distortion effects from not having a "clean" soundroom.
To have the preamp in an adjacent room adds an additional requirement, assuming there isn't a clear glass partition or window for the IR signals to penetrate to reach the IR controlled equipment: RF.


Not that I'm aware of, but there may be a simpler solution.


I'd suspect that the oem remote could be "rejuvenated". There is a remote button product on the market, but a cheaper, simpler alternative is Loctite rear window defroster kit. It's a conductive substance you just "paint" on the button contact surfaces (clean good with isopropyl alchohol first).



True. But have you considered an analyzer in the room? It doesn't have to be connected to the equipment involved. Most have a display, sometimes the displays can be varied as to what it's reading, ie. SPL. A full unit is fairly small, and should have it's own mic, usually with about 20 feet of cord so you can place it almost anywheere you want in the room. The actual readout portion just requires AC power (120 volt), and could be placed where the artist, or whomenver can easily see it, then with a IR>RF repeater type system (or a rf/ir remote with command center) could raise or lower the volume by the actual sound level in the room.

Assuming the "lead singer" is doing double duty as the "engineer", he could still have complete control of the preamp, including volume levels, and with the meter giving feedback on sound level, he could impose a "self-imposed" limit of his choosing, ie. 100dB, 110dB, etc and make adjustments based on the meter readings thru the remote.

Jim