I gave my Rodec MX180 MKIII a spring clean and bought new faders. These photographs are from around spring 2023.

Rodec MX180 MKIII mixer by a window, showing the complete front panel, channel faders, crossfader, and output meters.

The MX180 MKIII after cleaning.

A little history

Rodec is a Belgian analogue-audio manufacturer with roots going back to 1954. Its 2010 catalogue, page 7 traces the mixer family from the MX18 in 1986 to the MX180 in 1990, then the MKIII in 1999.

The MKIII has four main input channels and a dedicated DJ microphone channel. Each channel has its own gain, three-band EQ, and fader; the main channels also have balance controls. The operating manual documents the signal routing and controls.

Close-up of the Rodec channel controls: input selector, level, high, mid, low, and balance knobs.

Channel controls after cleaning.

Close-up of the mixer's PFL and output LED meters, monitoring switches, and master controls.

Metering and monitoring controls.

Inside the mixer

I bought replacement faders as part of this maintenance. The internal photographs show the fader assemblies behind the front panel, alongside the upright channel boards and their ribbon cables. A Bourns fader is visible, with separate wires where the neighbouring assemblies use ribbon cable.

Inside the open Rodec mixer, showing upright channel boards, ribbon cables, and faders mounted behind the front panel, including a Bourns unit.

Fader assemblies and channel boards.

Another view inside the Rodec mixer, with the Bourns fader wiring visible beside the other fader assemblies.

A second view of the fader wiring.