Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

I'm looking to put a vfx sd back together, wondering if parts are
still available, I'm poor, and can't afford new stuff, i use the
keyboard for bass, drums, etc. on my Roland VS-880, (hey it still
works)But something went poof and on investigation looks like a, ah,
ahh, power transformer??? inside the keyboard, i love the sound of
this thing hate to chuck it out, any ideas??  stitch

Gernerally, power transformers and power supply components can be bought from electronics parts places, you just need the original requirements for the transformer (output voltages and current) and the power supply parts (like ICs) can usually be found by mail from Jameco and others.

However, I would first disconnect the supply from the main board before doing any work, get the supply working, test it, then integrate it back in the VFX.  You can not risk damage to the main VFX sound gernerating board as that would not be replaceable, parts would be impossible to find and you might as well throw the VFX out and start over. 

I you are not electronically skilled, find someone who is to help.

Where are you located?

Bob
Corona/Riverside, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: chris <stitchfiddler@...>
Sent: Oct 31, 2005 12:11 PM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] parts

I'm looking to put a vfx sd back together, wondering if parts are
still available, I'm poor, and can't afford new stuff, i use the
keyboard for bass, drums, etc. on my Roland VS-880, (hey it still
works)But something went poof and on investigation looks like a, ah,
ahh, power transformer??? inside the keyboard, i love the sound of
this thing hate to chuck it out, any ideas??  stitch







 
Yahoo! Groups Links

All, VFX people, you Sd's as well. did I miss anybody,

Question, I have never had a VFX only SD-1. I have a question on the "cart" button. On the SD-1, I believe the button is labeled "bank select". Do the buttons, in spite of the different name, do the same thing. On the SD -1 it toggles thru the different banks of sounds, internal, ROM, RAM. Three banks, four if you have a cart. Same on the VFX -SD? Also, the SD-1 hs "presets". twenty user assignable, same on the VFX-SD? Thanks,

;

Yahoo! Groups Links

thanx 4 the info.........i'm in burl. vermont
--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "Bob S." <tttsystems@e...> wrote:

>
> Gernerally, power transformers and power supply components can be bought from electronics parts places, you just need the original requirements for the transformer (output voltages and current) and the power supply parts (like ICs) can usually be found by mail from Jameco and others.
> 
> However, I would first disconnect the supply from the main board before doing any work, get the supply working, test it, then integrate it back in the VFX. You can not risk damage to the main VFX sound gernerating board as that would not be replaceable, parts would be impossible to find and you might as well throw the VFX out and start over. 
> 
> I you are not electronically skilled, find someone who is to help.
> 
> Where are you located?
> 
> Bob
> Corona/Riverside, CA
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: chris stitchfiddler@y...
> Sent: Oct 31, 2005 12:11 PM
> To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] parts
> 
> I'm looking to put a vfx sd back together, wondering if parts are
> still available, I'm poor, and can't afford new stuff, i use the
> keyboard for bass, drums, etc. on my Roland VS-880, (hey it still
> works)But something went poof and on investigation looks like a, ah,
> ahh, power transformer??? inside the keyboard, i love the sound of
> this thing hate to chuck it out, any ideas??  stitch
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>

Also, this guy sells schematics and he has the VFX service manual. 
You could email and tell him your situation and maybe he can send you
a schematic of the power supply section at a reduced price:

http://mglinsky.www5.50megs.com/msg4.html

Bob
Corona/Riverside, CA


--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "chris" <stitchfiddler@y...> wrote:
>
> thanx 4 the info.........i'm in burl. vermont
> --- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "Bob S." <tttsystems@e...> wrote:
> >
> > Gernerally, power transformers and power supply components can be
bought from electronics parts places, you just need the original
requirements for the transformer (output voltages and current) and the
power supply parts (like ICs) can usually be found by mail from Jameco
and others.
> > 
> > However, I would first disconnect the supply from the main board
before doing any work, get the supply working, test it, then integrate
it back in the VFX. You can not risk damage to the main VFX sound
gernerating board as that would not be replaceable, parts would be
impossible to find and you might as well throw the VFX out and start
over. 

> > 
> > I you are not electronically skilled, find someone who is to help.
> > 
> > Where are you located?
> > 
> > Bob
> > Corona/Riverside, CA
> > 
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: chris stitchfiddler@y...
> > Sent: Oct 31, 2005 12:11 PM
> > To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] parts
> > 
> > I'm looking to put a vfx sd back together, wondering if parts are
> > still available, I'm poor, and can't afford new stuff, i use the
> > keyboard for bass, drums, etc. on my Roland VS-880, (hey it still
> > works)But something went poof and on investigation looks like a, ah,
> > ahh, power transformer??? inside the keyboard, i love the sound of
> > this thing hate to chuck it out, any ideas??  stitch
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >  
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
>

Hi
Ive just joined this group as i have a VFX that ive not powered up 
for 3 years.. (Bob i think i know you from your posts on the XL7 
group..)
I noticed that the schematics for the VFX are in the files section.
There not the highest res but you can make things out. I was totally 
amazed to see them there!
The PSU is amongst these as well
I needed them myself as mine has issues.. 
The PSU is nothing special in these, though the transformer has a few 
windings on it. Im sure it could be replaced with another or maybe 2 
to get the other winding.
If you use a toroidal you could wind your own exta on it :o)
Why did you suspect the transformer? Bad smells and blow mains fuse?
Cheers
Gonz

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "bob_at_work_2000" 
<tttsystems@e...> wrote:
>
> Also, this guy sells schematics and he has the VFX service manual. 
> You could email and tell him your situation and maybe he can send 
you

> a schematic of the power supply section at a reduced price:
> 
> http://mglinsky.www5.50megs.com/msg4.html
> 
> Bob
> Corona/Riverside, CA

Hi Gonz

Yes I am in the XL7 group among dozen others.....

I missed the schematic in the files section...I'll take a look at them tonight and make a suggestion.  However, in terms of failure rates, the transfomer has a lower probablity of failure than any of the other active components or electrolytic capacitors in the power supply.

What are the symptoms of your VFX?  Have you had a chance to measure the power supply outputs with a meter to see if they are at the correct voltage?

The answer to your question on the toroid transformer is yes, but even I would purchase a transformer over winding it, especially with a piece of music gear I would like to keep a while......there are several companies that actually sell toroid transformers off the shelf or with a kit in various configurations.  However, it would not have to be a toroid.  Enough distance and shielding could provide sufficient 60Hz. hum reduction.  You can even go with an external "wall wart" though most people despise these.....

Bob
Corona/Riverside, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: gonzinigonz <gonzini@...>
Sent: Nov 2, 2005 8:15 PM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: parts

Hi
Ive just joined this group as i have a VFX that ive not powered up 
for 3 years.. (Bob i think i know you from your posts on the XL7 
group..)
I noticed that the schematics for the VFX are in the files section.
There not the highest res but you can make things out. I was totally 
amazed to see them there!
The PSU is amongst these as well
I needed them myself as mine has issues.. 
The PSU is nothing special in these, though the transformer has a few 
windings on it. Im sure it could be replaced with another or maybe 2 
to get the other winding.
If you use a toroidal you could wind your own exta on it :o)
Why did you suspect the transformer? Bad smells and blow mains fuse?
Cheers
Gonz

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "bob_at_work_2000" 
<tttsystems@e...> wrote:
>
> Also, this guy sells schematics and he has the VFX service manual. 
> You could email and tell him your situation and maybe he can send 
you
> a schematic of the power supply section at a reduced price:
> 
> http://mglinsky.www5.50megs.com/msg4.html
> 
> Bob
> Corona/Riverside, CA







 
Yahoo! Groups Links

i'm no wiz with electronics, but the part in my hand says transformer
on it, and there are a couple of burns on the board opposite the 5
fuses, i think this would be a good place to start. I've played acoustic 
most my life so all this recording and electronics are new to
me,.........../Also, Is the NanoPiano part of the VFX or is that an
extra, i feel dumb asking questions, but i really am in the dark on
some things, thanks, stitch,  tech-not in vermont

Send me a photo of the damage and area around it.  It sounds like one of the components of the power supply, either the regulator or rectifiers....

Bob
Corona/Riverside, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: chris <stitchfiddler@...>
Sent: Nov 3, 2005 12:42 AM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] parts

i'm no wiz with electronics, but the part in my hand says transformer
on it, and there are a couple of burns on the board opposite the 5
fuses, i think this would be a good place to start. I've played acoustic 
most my life so all this recording and electronics are new to
me,.........../Also, Is the NanoPiano part of the VFX or is that an
extra, i feel dumb asking questions, but i really am in the dark on
some things, thanks, stitch,  tech-not in vermont






 
Yahoo! Groups Links

Hi, thought it was you! cool


>However, in terms of failure rates, the transfomer has a lower 
>probablity of failure than any of the other active components or 
>electrolytic capacitors in the power supply.


Well like you say the transformer might well be ok, more likely the 
caps and / or voltage regulators failing if its PSU related..


>Have you had a chance to measure the power supply outputs with a 
>meter to see if they are at the correct voltage?


No not yet.. There should be +5VDC x 2 (digital and display) +/- 12V 
DC and 9+9VAC (for display)


> What are the symptoms of your VFX?  


Well i hadn't turned on it for 3 years after my last house move. Its 
been sitting there covered up.
It booted up ok!! (i was amazed at that..) but then i started getting 
loud pops at intervals but only seemed to appear on the lefthand side.
Also theres some low level distortion in the release phase of the 
ADSR. (both channels)
Reseting didnt help.
There was a problem with it i noticed when i first got it in that on 
a bass patch for example i would get a click at the start of the 
attack phase. Looking at it on a scope it looked as if it was 
starting a bit into waveform and clipped off at the bottom.
Increasing the attck time improved things but then it wasnt any good 
for bass! (i did check all the parameters related to patch as well)
I tryed to get the latest O/S for it with i got V2.10 but it didnt 
like it for some reason (maybe it was for the SD? or is that flash 
based?? from disk???) It made it to the default screen then locked up.
Theres V1.65 in there so it must be riddled with bugs..
I need to get in into work were all my test gear is setup in the 
workshop and get stuck in there.. maybe next week...
First stop is the PSU and then the D/A part of the synth.
Oh.. and the 10 bank select buttons have broken under the display, 
need gluing or something
Any other ideas?
Cheers
Gonz