Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

Hi there all. I'm a long time lurker who has never posted before.

I had an ESQ-1 which I loved, so I got a VFX-SD...then promptly stopped using the ESQ cause I was SO head over heels for the VFX-SD. I love the sequencer, the transwaves, the dark, cave-like, 80s drums, I love them for being crappy even.

My VFX-SD never had any Keyboard Calibration issues, until maybe a week ago. And then, all of a sudden, I get the blank screen. If I push a button, letters appear... but I don't really want to trouble shoot. Besides, I am NOT good with solder irons or anything like that.

One option is to have it fixed. I know a guy. But I can also get a TS-12 locally. Also, I guess I can wait for an SD-1 to pop up on eBay.

Does the SD sound identical to the VFX-SD? Are there any other differences, like amount of programs? How does the TS sound compare to the VFX-SD? 

Thanks everyone.

I've got a VFXSD-1 and a TS-10. The SD-1 sounds are much better than 
the TS-10. I was really disappointed with the TS-10 when I got it.

Vince


At 12:34 PM 9/23/2010, you wrote:

>
>
>Hi there all. I'm a long time lurker who has never posted before.
>
>I had an ESQ-1 which I loved, so I got a VFX-SD...then promptly 
>stopped using the ESQ cause I was SO head over heels for the VFX-SD. 
>I love the sequencer, the transwaves, the dark, cave-like, 80s 
>drums, I love them for being crappy even.
>
>My VFX-SD never had any Keyboard Calibration issues, until maybe a 
>week ago. And then, all of a sudden, I get the blank screen. If I 
>push a button, letters appear... but I don't really want to trouble 
>shoot. Besides, I am NOT good with solder irons or anything like that.
>
>One option is to have it fixed. I know a guy. But I can also get a 
>TS-12 locally. Also, I guess I can wait for an SD-1 to pop up on eBay.
>
>Does the SD sound identical to the VFX-SD? Are there any other 
>differences, like amount of programs? How does the TS sound compare 
>to the VFX-SD?
>
>Thanks everyone.


Your Servant in Christ,

Vince Perna
The River Of Life
Discount Christian Bookstore
http://www.riveroflifecbs.com

Vince, thanks! That's great to know. Did you sell your TS? Or do you keep it around for certain things?

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, River Of Life <riveroflifecbs@...> wrote:

>
> I've got a VFXSD-1 and a TS-10. The SD-1 sounds are much better than 
> the TS-10. I was really disappointed with the TS-10 when I got it.
> 
> Vince
> 
> 
> At 12:34 PM 9/23/2010, you wrote:
> 
> >
> >
> >Hi there all. I'm a long time lurker who has never posted before.
> >
> >I had an ESQ-1 which I loved, so I got a VFX-SD...then promptly 
> >stopped using the ESQ cause I was SO head over heels for the VFX-SD. 
> >I love the sequencer, the transwaves, the dark, cave-like, 80s 
> >drums, I love them for being crappy even.
> >
> >My VFX-SD never had any Keyboard Calibration issues, until maybe a 
> >week ago. And then, all of a sudden, I get the blank screen. If I 
> >push a button, letters appear... but I don't really want to trouble 
> >shoot. Besides, I am NOT good with solder irons or anything like that.
> >
> >One option is to have it fixed. I know a guy. But I can also get a 
> >TS-12 locally. Also, I guess I can wait for an SD-1 to pop up on eBay.
> >
> >Does the SD sound identical to the VFX-SD? Are there any other 
> >differences, like amount of programs? How does the TS sound compare 
> >to the VFX-SD?
> >
> >Thanks everyone.
> 
> 
> Your Servant in Christ,
> 
> Vince Perna
> The River Of Life
> Discount Christian Bookstore
> http://www.riveroflifecbs.com
>

Hi all,

I seem to recall that one important difference is that the VFX / VFX-SD / SD-1 series simple play waveforms from ROM, the TS-10 and TS-12 also allow the user to load waveforms into RAM, such as had been sampled by an EPS-16+ or ASR or similar, and play those in addition to the built-in waveforms in ROM.

But I've never actually see nor heard a TS-10 and compared to a VFX, VFX-SD or SD-1, so on that I can't comment. But the reviews at harmony central (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Keyboard+And+MIDI/product/Ensoniq/TS-10/10/1) seem to suggest the TS-10 was well-liked by at least some of its owners.

Best wishes,

// Christian Brunschen

On 23 Sep 2010, at 18:35, franzschiller@... wrote:

> Vince, thanks! That's great to know. Did you sell your TS? Or do you keep it around for certain things?
> 
> --- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, River Of Life <riveroflifecbs@...> wrote:
>> 
>> I've got a VFXSD-1 and a TS-10. The SD-1 sounds are much better than 
>> the TS-10. I was really disappointed with the TS-10 when I got it.
>> 
>> Vince
>> 
>> 
>> At 12:34 PM 9/23/2010, you wrote:
>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Hi there all. I'm a long time lurker who has never posted before.
>>> 
>>> I had an ESQ-1 which I loved, so I got a VFX-SD...then promptly 
>>> stopped using the ESQ cause I was SO head over heels for the VFX-SD. 
>>> I love the sequencer, the transwaves, the dark, cave-like, 80s 
>>> drums, I love them for being crappy even.
>>> 
>>> My VFX-SD never had any Keyboard Calibration issues, until maybe a 
>>> week ago. And then, all of a sudden, I get the blank screen. If I 
>>> push a button, letters appear... but I don't really want to trouble 
>>> shoot. Besides, I am NOT good with solder irons or anything like that.
>>> 
>>> One option is to have it fixed. I know a guy. But I can also get a 
>>> TS-12 locally. Also, I guess I can wait for an SD-1 to pop up on eBay.
>>> 
>>> Does the SD sound identical to the VFX-SD? Are there any other 
>>> differences, like amount of programs? How does the TS sound compare 
>>> to the VFX-SD?
>>> 
>>> Thanks everyone.
>> 
>> 
>> Your Servant in Christ,
>> 
>> Vince Perna
>> The River Of Life
>> Discount Christian Bookstore
>> http://www.riveroflifecbs.com
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
>

I bought the TS-10 as a replacement for an SD-1 that I had the was 
fried. I was able to buy the VFX SD-1, so that is my favorite and I 
use the TS-10 for backup. I use both sequencers at church, so half 
the songs are on the TS-10 and the other half are on the SD-1.


At 01:35 PM 9/23/2010, you wrote:

>
>
>Vince, thanks! That's great to know. Did you sell your TS? Or do you 
>keep it around for certain things?
>
>--- In 
><mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, 
>River Of Life <riveroflifecbs@...> wrote:
> >
> > I've got a VFXSD-1 and a TS-10. The SD-1 sounds are much better than
> > the TS-10. I was really disappointed with the TS-10 when I got it.
> >
> > Vince
> >
> >
> > At 12:34 PM 9/23/2010, you wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > >Hi there all. I'm a long time lurker who has never posted before.
> > >
> > >I had an ESQ-1 which I loved, so I got a VFX-SD...then promptly
> > >stopped using the ESQ cause I was SO head over heels for the VFX-SD.
> > >I love the sequencer, the transwaves, the dark, cave-like, 80s
> > >drums, I love them for being crappy even.
> > >
> > >My VFX-SD never had any Keyboard Calibration issues, until maybe a
> > >week ago. And then, all of a sudden, I get the blank screen. If I
> > >push a button, letters appear... but I don't really want to trouble
> > >shoot. Besides, I am NOT good with solder irons or anything like that.
> > >
> > >One option is to have it fixed. I know a guy. But I can also get a
> > >TS-12 locally. Also, I guess I can wait for an SD-1 to pop up on eBay.
> > >
> > >Does the SD sound identical to the VFX-SD? Are there any other
> > >differences, like amount of programs? How does the TS sound compare
> > >to the VFX-SD?
> > >
> > >Thanks everyone.

Your Servant in Christ,

Vince Perna
The River Of Life
Discount Christian Bookstore
http://www.riveroflifecbs.com

try to fix it for cheap.

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "franzschiller@..." <labyrinthbook@...> wrote:

>
> Hi there all. I'm a long time lurker who has never posted before.
> 
> I had an ESQ-1 which I loved, so I got a VFX-SD...then promptly stopped using the ESQ cause I was SO head over heels for the VFX-SD. I love the sequencer, the transwaves, the dark, cave-like, 80s drums, I love them for being crappy even.
> 
> My VFX-SD never had any Keyboard Calibration issues, until maybe a week ago. And then, all of a sudden, I get the blank screen. If I push a button, letters appear... but I don't really want to trouble shoot. Besides, I am NOT good with solder irons or anything like that.
> 
> One option is to have it fixed. I know a guy. But I can also get a TS-12 locally. Also, I guess I can wait for an SD-1 to pop up on eBay.
> 
> Does the SD sound identical to the VFX-SD? Are there any other differences, like amount of programs? How does the TS sound compare to the VFX-SD? 
> 
> Thanks everyone.
>

---- somethingkillingyou <somethingkillingyou@...> wrote: 

=============
try to fix it for cheap.

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "franzschiller@..." <labyrinthbook@...> wrote:
>
> Hi there all. I'm a long time lurker who has never posted before.
> 
> I had an ESQ-1 which I loved, so I got a VFX-SD...then promptly stopped using the ESQ cause I was SO head over heels for the VFX-SD. I love the sequencer, the transwaves, the dark, cave-like, 80s drums, I love them for being crappy even.
> 
> My VFX-SD never had any Keyboard Calibration issues, until maybe a week ago. And then, all of a sudden, I get the blank screen. If I push a button, letters appear... but I don't really want to trouble shoot. Besides, I am NOT good with solder irons or anything like that.
> 
> One option is to have it fixed. I know a guy. But I can also get a TS-12 locally. Also, I guess I can wait for an SD-1 to pop up on eBay.
> 
> Does the SD sound identical to the VFX-SD? Are there any other differences, like amount of programs? How does the TS sound compare to the VFX-SD? 
> 
> Thanks everyone.

*****************************************************************
*****************************************************************
The Esq is a great synth, the VFX is a GREATER synth, but the TS-12  RULES !!!!
If you're into toy-like boops, beeps and buzzes, then fuggetaboudtit !! This board is warm, sweet, rich sound.. You'll gain weight lust listening to it.


>

Alright, so we have an opposing opinion.

I might have to try out the TS-12 then. I'm only hesitant because I usually dig 5 octave synth action keyboards. I'm afraid of the TS-12 weighted action and sheer girth. It's also kinda ugly.

I might be selling my ESQ soon, though. I just don't use it anymore. The VFX spoiled me.

> The Esq is a great synth, the VFX is a GREATER synth, but the TS-12  RULES !!!!
> If you're into toy-like boops, beeps and buzzes, then fuggetaboudtit !! This board is warm, sweet, rich sound.. You'll gain weight lust listening to it.
> 
> 
> >
>

That would be great, but around me, the cheapest possible repair tech is at least $60 an hour. They always quote a MINIMUM of 2 hours. Then there's parts. So I'm looking at least at $120, plus if its a mother board (as I learned in another thread here) it could be $110, equalling $230.

There's a chance I might do this still, though, even if I get some replacement. Just  because I hate having broken keyboards sitting around.

But I appreciate you "can do" attitude.

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "somethingkillingyou" <somethingkillingyou@...> wrote:

>
> try to fix it for cheap.
>

I'm with the others here… it's a repair that you could do yourself. It only requires soldering about a half dozen wire jumpers. (can't recall the exact number at the moment, since it's been awhile since I fixed mine). You just touch your soldering iron to the point where you want to attach the wire until it heats up. then you dab some solder at the hot point (making sure to not touch the iron with the solder). The only tricky part is that the multiple wires are kind of close to one another at this junction. You need to make sure that no solder bridges one wire to another. It's well worth the effort to fix this one yourself. There are lots of soldering tutorials on the web that you could watch if you're still uncertain, but I'm confident you can do the job yourself. Make sure that synth is unplugged when you do this. And make sure that you don't leave the soldering iron heating something too long. But otherwise, that's about all there is to it. I was soldering as a kid, so you can definitely handle this one. Just take your time. It probably also helps to have an ohm meter on hand to make sure that once you've soldered a wire that it doesn't have conductivity with another wire. You can use the cheapest VOM meter you can find. And while some of the pros will mock you, you can also use the cheapo Radio Shack soldering iron for a task like this one. And once your figure out how to fix this issue, you'll be prepped for your next one. (there's always a next one lol). :) If you get stuck, just ask us on this list. It sounds like several of us have been through this repair before. About the worst that can happen is it doesn't work the first time you try (happened to me). Just remove the wires and try again. Shouldn't take you more than an afternoon to mess around with it knowing absolutely nothing beforehand. 

Best of luck! 

On Sep 24, 2010, at 2:36 PM, franzschiller@... wrote:

> That would be great, but around me, the cheapest possible repair tech is at least $60 an hour. They always quote a MINIMUM of 2 hours. Then there's parts. So I'm looking at least at $120, plus if its a mother board (as I learned in another thread here) it could be $110, equalling $230.
> 
> There's a chance I might do this still, though, even if I get some replacement. Just because I hate having broken keyboards sitting around.
> 
> But I appreciate you "can do" attitude.

For those of you who are waiting to hear how my little story turned out...

I took my VFX-SD to the repair man. I told him, only to fix it if it was under a certain amount of money.

While waiting for it to be fixed, I worked out a trade. I found a gentleman on CraigsList, and gave him my old Akai sampler; in exchange, he gave me his SD-1. He was a very cool dude.

The SD-1 was very, very dirty, and had stickers all over it, and was pretty beat up from years of touring with this guy. So I cleaned it up best I could. However, it works great, and sounds identical to the VFX. Strangely, I felt a great deal of relief having that synthesizer, and being able to make those sounds again.

Unfortunately, when I tried to load my floppy disk (which had all my backed up programs and sequences). I got a disk error. It wouldn't read it! Bummer.

Joyously, earlier this week, my original VFX-SD was fixed. It only had a loose wire, apparently! I am really excited to have it back at home. Not only that, now I have a backup SD-1.

One final bummer, though: my back-up floppy also would not load on my VFX. Turns out, the disk was the wrong format, and when I thought I was "back up" it wasn't working.

I'm super stoked now, to have my favorite synth back, and now with a friend. (I think I still might get a TS-10 also, though, at least to try out.)

Thanks to everyone here who chimed in with suggestions, and experience. Hope I can help somehow someday.

Hi

about your post re "failed" Ensoniq floppy drive. Most people never 
think to simply clean the floppy drive head.

I use an old verbatim "wet" cleaning pack for 3.5inch drives. (don't 
think you'd see too many around these days, but they must be out there).

They are a disk shell with a cleaning cloth inside that you drip alcohol 
(the non-drinking type!!) onto, then insert it in the drive. Let it spin 
for 30 seconds or so, and either the drive will spring back into life, 
or you'll need to buy a replacement from the moderator of this group. (Rich)

And as far as SD-1 "sounding like a VFX", sorry, the SD-1 has 16 bit 
DAC's MUCH cleaner!!  Much better machine. BUT... Love 'em all!!!

Cheers

Roger

Roger, I wonder if the 16 bit DACs could be swapped out for 20 or 24 bit? And if so I wonder if the VFXSD could be updated to the 16 bit. Would we even notice a difference?

Sent from my iPod

On Nov 13, 2010, at 9:35 AM, Roger Campbell <roger17@...> wrote:

> Hi
> 
> about your post re "failed" Ensoniq floppy drive. Most people never 
> think to simply clean the floppy drive head.
> 
> I use an old verbatim "wet" cleaning pack for 3.5inch drives. (don't 
> think you'd see too many around these days, but they must be out there).
> 
> They are a disk shell with a cleaning cloth inside that you drip alcohol 
> (the non-drinking type!!) onto, then insert it in the drive. Let it spin 
> for 30 seconds or so, and either the drive will spring back into life, 
> or you'll need to buy a replacement from the moderator of this group. (Rich)
> 
> And as far as SD-1 "sounding like a VFX", sorry, the SD-1 has 16 bit 
> DAC's MUCH cleaner!! Much better machine. BUT... Love 'em all!!!
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Roger
>

Kensington Disk Drive Cleaning Kit 3.5in

http://www.pcrproinc.com/servlet/the-2370/Disk-Drive-Cleane/Detail

I bought one of these cleaning kits back in the early 90's. Arista brand at the 
base exchange.





________________________________

From: Roger Campbell <roger17@...>
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, November 13, 2010 10:35:11 AM
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Similar sounds to VFX-SD?

  
Hi

about your post re "failed" Ensoniq floppy drive. Most people never 
think to simply clean the floppy drive head.

I use an old verbatim "wet" cleaning pack for 3.5inch drives. (don't 
think you'd see too many around these days, but they must be out there).

They are a disk shell with a cleaning cloth inside that you drip alcohol 
(the non-drinking type!!) onto, then insert it in the drive. Let it spin 
for 30 seconds or so, and either the drive will spring back into life, 
or you'll need to buy a replacement from the moderator of this group. (Rich)

And as far as SD-1 "sounding like a VFX", sorry, the SD-1 has 16 bit 
DAC's MUCH cleaner!!  Much better machine. BUT... Love 'em all!!!

Cheers

Roger