Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

Hi ALL,

I dig out my old VFX from the store and start playing with it.
The sound sare great but it hangs after about 2 hours. 

Will try fixing the problem with the TOOLs guide from the Files
section.

.john

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "Hayward Redd" <hrc2c@h...> 
wrote:
> I had the same problem. It is due to a flux build up on the circuit 
board 
> due to materials used in manufacturing. I had to send it to the 
company to 
> be replaced and the paid for it. If you call Ensoniq they will know 
what you 
> are talking about.
> 
> >From: Steve Wahl <steve@p...>
> >Reply-To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> >To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Ensoniq VFX
> >Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 10:00:55 -0600
> >
> > > I'm wondering does anyone know about the VFX-SD,
> > > does it has the same 'recalibration' problems it
> > > had with the VFX?
> >
> >My experience was opposite of yours.  I never had the OS hang, and
> >never had the keyboard calibration fail.  I did once have the 
internal
> >RAM sounds get zapped, possibly due to a static zap as it was after
> >transporting it.
> >
> >However, I got mine late in the life cycle of the VFX, so probably 
had
> >a newer version of the ROMS, which would explain the OS hang 
thing.  I
> >never had the keyboard calibration problem, but I didn't move it
> >around much at first, and when I started moving it, I got it fixed
> >proactively, before I actually saw the problem.
> >
> >The keyboard calibration thing was solved by Ensoniq, but it was 
WAY
> >late in the game, after the SD-1 was released.  There are two 
printed
> >circuit boards under the keybed, joined by a connector in the 
middle
> >of the keyboard.  The pins of this connector would oxidize, 
resulting
> >in bad connections that caused the calibration failure problem.  I
> >think the act of shipping the synth back to Ensoniq or opening it 
up
> >to examine it tended to jostle this connection and make the 
problem go
> >away, so the problem was hard for Ensoniq to figure out.
> >
> >The solution, was to get rid of the connector entirely and replace 
it
> >with wires soldered between the boards.  I believe it's referred 
to as
> >the hard-wired keyboard mod.  Instructions on how to do this are 
now
> >available on the web.  Even though aimed at the EPS sampler line, 
this
> >page seems to apply quite well:
> >http://www.chickensys.com/kb/eps-asr/014.html
> >
> >For the used market, you have to find out if the keyboard has had 
this
> >fix performed or not.  And if not, find a tech who will fix it for
> >you, or, if you know which end of a soldering iron to grab (hint: 
not
> >the hot end), be prepared to fix it yourself.
> >
> >I believe at one point, Ensoniq was performing the service for 
free,
> >but only those who complained to their dealer or heard about it
> >through other sources got it done -- maybe it was a high enough
> >priority that if they brought their keyboard in for some other
> >service, this repair was also done, but I'm not sure.  Knowing 
that,
> >it's up to you to guess the odds if the seller doesn't know if it's
> >been done or not.
> >
> >Years ago, I bought a used VFX-SD to compliment my VFX.  I was 
fully
> >aware of the hardwired keyboard mod, and this VFX-SD was exhibiting
> >the exact symptoms of the problem and available cheap because of 
it --
> >I figured it was a 90% chance or better that I could fix it myself,
> >and get a fully functioning VFX-SD on the cheap.  So, you can 
imagine
> >my dismay when I opened it up and found that the connectors had
> >already been replaced by wires!  However, I re-soldered the
> >connections, and cleaned all the other connectors between the 
keyboard
> >and the main board.  And I haven't had a problem since, knock on 
wood.
> >
> >In short (yeah, right), I don't know what OS problems you were 
having,
> >but the keyboard calibration error is either already gone from your
> >prospective purchase, or it can be fixed.
> >
> >--> Steve