Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family group photo

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Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

Index last updated: 2026-04-29 00:03 UTC

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Re: Ensoniq SD1 issue

2017-03-20 by steve@...

This sounds like it might be a mechanical,not electrical, problem.

The VFX family detects the proximity of a metal piece in the key body, to a sensor on the circuit board running beneath the keys. At its highest position, the key will be considered not pressed. At its lowest position, the key will be considered pressed and having full aftertouch defined. Somewhere in between is a place where the key was supposed to have hit the stop, and be fully depressed but not entered the aftertouch zone.

It sounds to me like the key is getting closer to the sensor board. Like maybe the stop is not stopping the key, or the sensor board has somehow shifted up, closer to the key bodies. If this is true, you may be able to let up on the keys a little bit and remove or reduce the aftertouch before you hit the key-off zone and the notes stop.

It has been years since I've looked at either of my VFX's keyboards. I never identified exactly what the stop is that you push against to get into the aftertouch zone. But if you're at all handy, I would take it apart and see if the sensor board beneath the keys is seated properly, and if you can tell what is supposed to stop the key from traveling into the aftertouch zone, is it in place and doing its job?

I'd guess that in transporting it, it maybe took a mechanical shock, or maybe it got turned upside down and something slipped under the influence of gravity.

Note that I know my own skill level; I don't know yours. Right now it should be playable by turning off pressure sensing; after you open it up, you could make things worse so it won't play at all. If you don't trust yourself to do this, find someone "skilled in the art" of instrument repair...

--> Steve

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