Anyways, the unit powers up, according to the on/off switch lamp, but connecting a mic, connecting a line signal, nothing on the spectrum led's. turning the gain up, messing with all the controls, zip, nada......do I need to use a reference type mic ? I did not get the manual and have been unable to find it online. Does anyone here have some info/advice ? Thanks in advance.
Douglas,
https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_tx/0056747700Lists White Instruments as voluntarily dissolved December 4, 2018.
Shirley Van Rswyk, the VP and director passed away October 25, 2016.
If your White Instruments Model 142A works, it does not require a "reference type mic" for the input to pass audio.
The 142A appears to only have a line input, so generally needs an XLR female to male TRS to use a microphone, and probably does not provide the DC phantom power needed for condenser mics.
Sometimes you can get lucky blasting a high level (+20 dBU) signal in to "wake up" old circuits.
The 142A may share enough features with the 140 that it's manual, which contains schematics may be of use for troubleshooting:
http://www.whiteinstruments.com/140-archive.pdfIf the unit is not just for nostalgic appearance (searching it brought back memories of my early years in audio) you could use REW free software for room acoustic, loudspeaker, and audio device measurement.
REW can do more and far more accurate work than the 142A ever could, though you need a computer and some device interface to use it.
Won't have those bright red LEDs or a pretty wooden hinged case, oh well..
Art