Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family group photo

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Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

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Thread

newbie

newbie

2009-09-22 by tomlinson6050

hello. new guy here. SQ-80 was my first synth. just picked up a broken VFX-sd for cheap. replaced the +5 regulator and she works. top 16 notes are dead, and one of the lower ones. dirty, scratched and worn. pulling it apart soon to fix the keyboard and clean and re-paint the case.
I am retired and make a few bucks buting dead keyboards and fixing the for resale on ebay. I also am a member of VintageSynth Explorer and post there often.

bill (Rhino. looong boring story behind the handle)

RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] newbie

2009-09-22 by Gary Brumm

Hi Bill,

Yeah I bought this one cheap at the Santa Cruz, CA flea market and figured I would work on it as I had time.  The power supply seems ok (-12,-12,+5,-5,etc.) and I have no
service info on it.  The battery is low and I either get no display or all of the segments light up.  I just finished a Korg DW8000 for a friend but I really haven't worked on synths
or much of any electronics in many years.  I had some factory training from E-mu and Sequential Circuits back in the early 80's.  I have been putting a new keyboard and recording
rig over the last few years.  I restored a Kurzweil K2000 and also have K2500RS and K2600RS modules.  I also have an E-mu Vintage Keys module, Vintage Keys Plus module, and a
Roland M-VS1 Vintage Synth module.  I use the Vintage modules mainly for Mellotron sounds.  I have a Hammond XK-3c as well.  I was thinking about setting a bench up and getting
back into electronics for a hobby.  Anyhow nice meeting you Bill.  If you have any ideas on the VFX (non SD) let me know.  I've never worked on an Ensonic before...just about everything
else though....but that was a long time ago....So where are you located? ....not much activity on this forum.  I on the SonicMatter (mainly Kurzweil), Hammond, and Mellotron forums occasionally.

Cheers,

Gary
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tomlinson6050
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 7:01 PM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] newbie



hello. new guy here. SQ-80 was my first synth. just picked up a broken VFX-sd for cheap. replaced the +5 regulator and she works. top 16 notes are dead, and one of the lower ones. dirty, scratched and worn. pulling it apart soon to fix the keyboard and clean and re-paint the case.
I am retired and make a few bucks buting dead keyboards and fixing the for resale on ebay. I also am a member of VintageSynth Explorer and post there often.

bill (Rhino. looong boring story behind the handle)

Re: newbie

2009-09-22 by tomlinson6050

i'm in Richmond KY. about 100 mi south of Cincinatti.

my thoughts on your VFX:

i don't think there is a -5 volt line: two +5s

there should be a 50-volt output from the power supply for the vacuum display.

when you open the front panel, there will be three connectors to the panel /display board: one on the left, two on the right. check them for corrosion.

thanks for the welcome


bill

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

2009-09-22 by jammie

its +5v and -5v for the filament of the fip then theres a -35v from psu for the anode and cathode suplly
via 2 display drivers 1 does the row 1 does the colume the 1 display driver also does the push button switches and drives the leds for those swithches via led drivers and logic
its the same design used in the eps /eps16+/asr10/vfx-sd/and the ts10/12 until they did the purple lcd screen for the asr88 and later asr10
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 5:46 PM
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

i'm in Richmond KY. about 100 mi south of Cincinatti.

my thoughts on your VFX:

i don't think there is a -5 volt line: two +5s

there should be a 50-volt output from the power supply for the vacuum display.

when you open the front panel, there will be three connectors to the panel /display board: one on the left, two on the right. check them for corrosion.

thanks for the welcome

bill


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.112/2388 - Release Date: 09/22/09 05:51:00

RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

2009-09-22 by Gary Brumm

There may not be a -5....it's been a while since I looked at it....whatever voltages were printed next to the connector were present.
I will check the connectors...it had a few cobwebs but I don't remember any signs of corrosion.

BTW ..I'm in Stockton, CA

Thanks,

Gary
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tomlinson6050
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 9:47 AM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie



i'm in Richmond KY. about 100 mi south of Cincinatti.

my thoughts on your VFX:

i don't think there is a -5 volt line: two +5s

there should be a 50-volt output from the power supply for the vacuum display.

when you open the front panel, there will be three connectors to the panel /display board: one on the left, two on the right. check them for corrosion.

thanks for the welcome

bill

RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

2009-09-22 by Gary Brumm

Hi Jamie,

I do not remember a -35 from the PS....I will check.  Sometime the display lights up all segments and sometimes it is blank....the buttons
are non-responsive for the most part...seems different every time I start it up.  It also came with a Cesium Sound ROM Cart.

Thanks,

Gary
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of jammie
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 10:12 AM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie


its +5v and -5v for the filament of the fip then theres a -35v from psu for the anode and cathode suplly

via 2 display drivers 1 does the row 1 does the colume the 1 display driver also does the push button switches and drives the leds for those swithches via led drivers and logic

its the same design used in the eps /eps16+/asr10/vfx-sd/and the ts10/12 until they did the purple lcd screen for the asr88 and later asr10
----- Original Message -----
From: tomlinson6050<mailto:tomlinson6050@...>
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 5:46 PM
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie



i'm in Richmond KY. about 100 mi south of Cincinatti.

my thoughts on your VFX:

i don't think there is a -5 volt line: two +5s

there should be a 50-volt output from the power supply for the vacuum display.

when you open the front panel, there will be three connectors to the panel /display board: one on the left, two on the right. check them for corrosion.

thanks for the welcome

bill

________________________________

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.112/2388 - Release Date: 09/22/09 05:51:00

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

2009-09-22 by Jon Carroll

Looking at the power supply schematics, i dont see a +35... i see a +50...
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Brumm" <gabru@...>
To: <Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 1:44 PM
Subject: RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie


Hi Jamie,

I do not remember a -35 from the PS....I will check.  Sometime the display 
lights up all segments and sometimes it is blank....the buttons
are non-responsive for the most part...seems different every time I start it 
up.  It also came with a Cesium Sound ROM Cart.

Thanks,

Gary

From: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] 
On Behalf Of jammie
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 10:12 AM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie


its +5v and -5v for the filament of the fip then theres a -35v from psu for 
the anode and cathode suplly

via 2 display drivers 1 does the row 1 does the colume the 1 display driver 
also does the push button switches and drives the leds for those swithches 
via led drivers and logic

its the same design used in the eps /eps16+/asr10/vfx-sd/and the ts10/12 
until they did the purple lcd screen for the asr88 and later asr10
----- Original Message -----
From: tomlinson6050<mailto:tomlinson6050@...>
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 5:46 PM
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie



i'm in Richmond KY. about 100 mi south of Cincinatti.

my thoughts on your VFX:

i don't think there is a -5 volt line: two +5s

there should be a 50-volt output from the power supply for the vacuum 
display.

when you open the front panel, there will be three connectors to the panel 
/display board: one on the left, two on the right. check them for corrosion.

thanks for the welcome

bill

________________________________

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.112/2388 - Release Date: 09/22/09 
05:51:00

Re: newbie

2009-09-23 by tomlinson6050

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "jammie" <jammie.emma@...> wrote:
>
> its +5v and -5v for the filament of the fip then theres a -35v from psu for the anode and cathode suplly
> 
> via 2 display drivers 1 does the row 1 does the colume the 1 display driver also does the push button switches and drives the leds for those swithches via led drivers and logic
> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
thanks. it's good to have people who know what they're talking about to catch your screw-ups!

RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

2009-09-23 by Gary Brumm

Hi Jon,

You wouldn't happen to have a PDF of the service manual....

Thanks,

Gary
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jon Carroll
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 2:20 PM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie



Looking at the power supply schematics, i dont see a +35... i see a +50...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Brumm" <gabru@...<mailto:gabru%40comsec.net>>
To: <Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>>
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 1:44 PM
Subject: RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

Hi Jamie,

I do not remember a -35 from the PS....I will check. Sometime the display
lights up all segments and sometimes it is blank....the buttons
are non-responsive for the most part...seems different every time I start it
up. It also came with a Cesium Sound ROM Cart.

Thanks,

Gary

From: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>]
On Behalf Of jammie
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 10:12 AM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

its +5v and -5v for the filament of the fip then theres a -35v from psu for
the anode and cathode suplly

via 2 display drivers 1 does the row 1 does the colume the 1 display driver
also does the push button switches and drives the leds for those swithches
via led drivers and logic

its the same design used in the eps /eps16+/asr10/vfx-sd/and the ts10/12
until they did the purple lcd screen for the asr88 and later asr10
----- Original Message -----
From: tomlinson6050<mailto:tomlinson6050@...<mailto:tomlinson6050%40roadrunner.com>>
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com><mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>>
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 5:46 PM
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

i'm in Richmond KY. about 100 mi south of Cincinatti.

my thoughts on your VFX:

i don't think there is a -5 volt line: two +5s

there should be a 50-volt output from the power supply for the vacuum
display.

when you open the front panel, there will be three connectors to the panel
/display board: one on the left, two on the right. check them for corrosion.

thanks for the welcome

bill

________________________________

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.112/2388 - Release Date: 09/22/09
05:51:00

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

2009-09-23 by jammie

it sounds to me that you are loosing the power to the upd 7538 this gets its power from the +5x votltage regulator from the psu this ic does the push buttons
the pin 23 and 42 of the fip has 5.5 ac voltage the -35 volts goes to the pin 4 its the refrence voltage for the anode row cathode column comes from ic 58341
check j1 this is the power to the display board check for oxidisation deoxit
j2 is the sliders and the clock and digital instructions for the 7538
i have the schematics infront of me i would check the psu as that seems the culprite to me check q5 its a 7805 voltage regulator check the 3 caps 4700uf 16v you should have a refrence 17vdc at the input to the regulator
the q5 regulator is the supply for the display board ic and the floppy if you have 1 on your model
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Brumm
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 9:44 PM
Subject: RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

Hi Jamie,

I do not remember a -35 from the PS….I will check. Sometime the display lights up all segments and sometimes it is blank….the buttons

are non-responsive for the most part…seems different every time I start it up. It also came with a Cesium Sound ROM Cart.

Thanks,

Gary

From: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of jammie
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 10:12 AM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

its +5v and -5v for the filament of the fip then theres a -35v from psu for the anode and cathode suplly

via 2 display drivers 1 does the row 1 does the colume the 1 display driver also does the push button switches and drives the leds for those swithches via led drivers and logic

its the same design used in the eps /eps16+/asr10/vfx-sd/and the ts10/12 until they did the purple lcd screen for the asr88 and later asr10

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 5:46 PM

Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

i'm in Richmond KY. about 100 mi south of Cincinatti.

my thoughts on your VFX:

i don't think there is a -5 volt line: two +5s

there should be a 50-volt output from the power supply for the vacuum display.

when you open the front panel, there will be three connectors to the panel /display board: one on the left, two on the right. check them for corrosion.

thanks for the welcome

bill


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.112/2388 - Release Date: 09/22/09 05:51:00


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.112/2388 - Release Date: 09/22/09 05:51:00

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

2009-09-23 by jammie

thers no +50
the biggest voltage is a 38vac which goeos into a bridge rectifier circuit which is tied at c.t to give 19v 0v -19v ac
then the 38vac goes to a rectifier that makes it vdc38 then it goes through an inverter circuit comprising of 2 transistors the c.t of the filament supply 5.5 vac being 0v also goes to this inverter circuit the output leg has -35 volts coming from it pin 3 on the psu connector for the keypad and disply header it will have this written on the psu
the other header comes from the mainboard and has display written on it
----- Original Message -----
Show quoted textHide quoted text
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 10:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

Looking at the power supply schematics, i dont see a +35... i see a +50...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Brumm" <gabru@comsec.net>
To: <Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 1:44 PM
Subject: RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

Hi Jamie,

I do not remember a -35 from the PS....I will check. Sometime the display
lights up all segments and sometimes it is blank....the buttons
are non-responsive for the most part...seems different every time I start it
up. It also came with a Cesium Sound ROM Cart.

Thanks,

Gary

From: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of jammie
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 10:12 AM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

its +5v and -5v for the filament of the fip then theres a -35v from psu for
the anode and cathode suplly

via 2 display drivers 1 does the row 1 does the colume the 1 display driver
also does the push button switches and drives the leds for those swithches
via led drivers and logic

its the same design used in the eps /eps16+/asr10/vfx-sd/and the ts10/12
until they did the purple lcd screen for the asr88 and later asr10
----- Original Message -----
From: tomlinson6050<mailto:tomlinson6050@roadrunner.com>
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.comEnsoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 5:46 PM
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

i'm in Richmond KY. about 100 mi south of Cincinatti.

my thoughts on your VFX:

i don't think there is a -5 volt line: two +5s

there should be a 50-volt output from the power supply for the vacuum
display.

when you open the front panel, there will be three connectors to the panel
/display board: one on the left, two on the right. check them for corrosion.

thanks for the welcome

bill

________________________________

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.112/2388 - Release Date: 09/22/09
05:51:00


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.112/2389 - Release Date: 09/22/09 17:54:00

RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

2009-09-23 by Gary Brumm

Thanks Jamie!,

I will check this out and see what I can find.
I appreciate your help!

Gary
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of jammie
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 5:14 AM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie


thers no +50

the biggest voltage is a 38vac which goeos into a bridge rectifier circuit which is tied at c.t to give 19v 0v -19v ac

then the 38vac goes to a rectifier that makes it vdc38 then it goes through an inverter circuit comprising of 2 transistors the c.t of the filament supply 5.5 vac being 0v also goes to this inverter circuit  the output leg has -35 volts coming from it pin 3 on the psu connector for the keypad and disply header it will have this written on the psu

the other header comes from the mainboard and has display written on it
----- Original Message -----
From: Jon Carroll<mailto:joncarroll@...>
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 10:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie



Looking at the power supply schematics, i dont see a +35... i see a +50...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Brumm" <gabru@...<mailto:gabru@comsec.net>>
To: <Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com>>
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 1:44 PM
Subject: RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

Hi Jamie,

I do not remember a -35 from the PS....I will check. Sometime the display
lights up all segments and sometimes it is blank....the buttons
are non-responsive for the most part...seems different every time I start it
up. It also came with a Cesium Sound ROM Cart.

Thanks,

Gary

From: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>]
On Behalf Of jammie
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 10:12 AM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

its +5v and -5v for the filament of the fip then theres a -35v from psu for
the anode and cathode suplly

via 2 display drivers 1 does the row 1 does the colume the 1 display driver
also does the push button switches and drives the leds for those swithches
via led drivers and logic

its the same design used in the eps /eps16+/asr10/vfx-sd/and the ts10/12
until they did the purple lcd screen for the asr88 and later asr10
----- Original Message -----
From: tomlinson6050<mailto:tomlinson6050@...<mailto:tomlinson6050%40roadrunner.com>>
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com><mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>>
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 5:46 PM
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: newbie

i'm in Richmond KY. about 100 mi south of Cincinatti.

my thoughts on your VFX:

i don't think there is a -5 volt line: two +5s

there should be a 50-volt output from the power supply for the vacuum
display.

when you open the front panel, there will be three connectors to the panel
/display board: one on the left, two on the right. check them for corrosion.

thanks for the welcome

bill

________________________________

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.112/2388 - Release Date: 09/22/09
05:51:00

________________________________

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.112/2389 - Release Date: 09/22/09 17:54:00

Move to quarantaine

This moves the raw source file on disk only. The archive index is not changed automatically, so you still need to run a manual refresh afterward.