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New Member Hopefully New Owner

New Member Hopefully New Owner

2015-05-30 by paul.krull@...

Hi All:

I just joined the list as I'm finally about to buy a Polaris after admiring them for 30 years or so. I'm a long time Chroma owner and Quadra/Odyssey/ 2600/Solus/ Etc. owner and I'm sort of aware of what I'm getting myself into by purchasing a Polaris with left hand panel issues but otherwise very clean and mint looking.

I haven't actually played a Polaris for many years and have played several, some with panel issues and some fully functional but it looks like there are some new developments what with new panels being made and discussion groups that include much informed input so I'm hopeful that there are fixes for a sickly Polaris these days.

Thanks,

Paul T

RE: [chromapolaris] New Member Hopefully New Owner

2015-05-31 by Paul D. DeRocco

> From: Paul T
> 
> I haven't actually played a Polaris for many years and have 
> played several, some with panel issues and some fully 
> functional but it looks like there are some new developments 
> what with new panels being made and discussion groups that 
> include much informed input so I'm hopeful that there are 
> fixes for a sickly Polaris these days. 

I have replacement panels. You can see the installation process here:

http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=polarismembranepanelreplacement

Contact me off-list to purchase.

-- 

Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
Paul                mailto:pderocco@...

RE: [chromapolaris] New Member Hopefully New Owner

2015-06-03 by steve.welk@...

I can attest to the wonderfulness of Paul's panels, and also for his generosity in sharing his expertise. Thanks to his willingness to keep this cool instrument alive, my Polaris has been brought back from the dead. It sat for many years (5-10, who knows) in my basement pretty much out of commission due to the broken flex problem. I wasn't really sure what to do with it. Then I found a book ("Synth Gods") in a 1/2 price bookstore, and it reactivated my interest in old analog synths. It prompted me to research information on my old Polaris and i ran into Paul's replacement instructions.

Long story short, I bought a set of the panels. He helped me debug a couple other problems, convinced me to try fixing a couple bad sliders and gave other good info (e.g. part number/where to find the ribbon connectors). I now have a perfectly functioning (I think) Polaris again thanks to Paul. I was even motivated to replace a couple chipped keys, found on ebay so now it looks pretty excellent too.

Amazingly enough, my D cells still registered 4 LED's of goodness after sitting idle all that time. All presets were still there.

Anyway, only one question. When pushing my master volume up past ~ 1/3 full scale, it gets pretty noisy. I gather this is "normal". Was there ever a fix for this? Do dedicated analog voltages/ground from the power supply board help?

Again, kudos to Paul!

Steve

RE: [chromapolaris] New Member Hopefully New Owner

2015-06-03 by Bkuris@...

I also endorse the replacement panel.

I have 2 working, 1 problem child / donor unit-- I found that upgrading the opamp on the output board really improved the sound of these units after doing the well documented grounding change (which I can't remember but involved cutting a wire I believe).

I can run them at full volume without worrying about hiss, bass sounds clearer and more like you would want from a synth... I can't remember the exact parts that I ordered but they were in the $3-$15 range, likely something from burr-brown (maybe a newer TI excaliber TL207x) that was well regrading in the DIY audio community. The change wasn't subtle. Next time I have a unit open I'll take a closer look. It isn't a difficult mod -- remove old chip, add socket, add new chip. I'm sure someone industrious could do a drop-in board instead...

-Ben

Re: [chromapolaris] New Member Hopefully New Owner

2015-06-03 by Paul Krull

I have longingly studied the installation instructions for the replacement panels and they do seem pretty detailed and comprehensive. How many owners and with what kind of skill set have replaced their own panels? I worked in a music store that sold used synths many years ago and a couple Polarii came through with troubled membranes and I did do some investigating and poking around but it seemed like a losing battle with the brittle and deteriorating state of the ribbon. I hope I didn't leave the instruments in worse shape than I found them. PT   


     On Tuesday, June 2, 2015 6:11 PM, "steve.welk@... [chromapolaris]" <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
   

     I can attest to the wonderfulness of Paul's panels, and also for his generosity in sharing his expertise.  Thanks to his willingness to keep this cool instrument alive, my Polaris has been brought back from the dead.  It sat for many years (5-10, who knows) in my basement pretty much out of commission due to the broken flex problem.  I wasn't really sure what to do with it.  Then I found a book ("Synth Gods") in a 1/2 price bookstore, and it reactivated my interest in old analog synths.  It prompted me to research information on my old Polaris and i ran into Paul's replacement instructions.

Long story short, I bought a set of the panels.  He helped me debug a couple other problems, convinced me to try fixing a couple bad sliders and gave other good info (e.g. part number/where to find the ribbon connectors).  I now have a perfectly functioning (I think) Polaris again thanks to Paul.  I was even motivated to replace a couple chipped keys, found on ebay so now it looks pretty excellent too.

Amazingly enough, my D cells still registered 4 LED's of goodness after sitting idle all that time.  All presets were still there.

Anyway, only one question.  When pushing my master volume up past ~ 1/3 full scale, it gets pretty noisy. I gather this is "normal".  Was there ever a fix for this?  Do dedicated analog voltages/ground from the power supply board help?

Again, kudos to Paul!

Steve  #yiv7808193841 #yiv7808193841 -- #yiv7808193841ygrp-mkp {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;font-family:Arial;margin:10px 0;padding:0 10px;}#yiv7808193841 #yiv7808193841ygrp-mkp hr {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;}#yiv7808193841 #yiv7808193841ygrp-mkp #yiv7808193841hd {color:#628c2a;font-size:85%;font-weight:700;line-height:122%;margin:10px 0;}#yiv7808193841 #yiv7808193841ygrp-mkp #yiv7808193841ads {margin-bottom:10px;}#yiv7808193841 #yiv7808193841ygrp-mkp .yiv7808193841ad {padding:0 0;}#yiv7808193841 #yiv7808193841ygrp-mkp .yiv7808193841ad p {margin:0;}#yiv7808193841 #yiv7808193841ygrp-mkp .yiv7808193841ad a {color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;}#yiv7808193841 #yiv7808193841ygrp-sponsor #yiv7808193841ygrp-lc {font-family:Arial;}#yiv7808193841 #yiv7808193841ygrp-sponsor #yiv7808193841ygrp-lc #yiv7808193841hd {margin:10px 0px;font-weight:700;font-size:78%;line-height:122%;}#yiv7808193841 #yiv7808193841ygrp-sponsor #yiv7808193841ygrp-lc .yiv7808193841ad {margin-bottom:10px;padding:0 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RE: [chromapolaris] New Member Hopefully New Owner

2015-06-03 by Paul D. DeRocco

> From: PT
> 
>  I have longingly studied the installation instructions for 
> the replacement panels and they do seem pretty detailed and 
> comprehensive. How many owners and with what kind of skill 
> set have replaced their own panels? I worked in a music store 
> that sold used synths many years ago and a couple Polarii 
> came through with troubled membranes and I did do some 
> investigating and poking around but it seemed like a losing 
> battle with the brittle and deteriorating state of the 
> ribbon. I hope I didn't leave the instruments in worse shape 
> than I found them.

I've sold a lot of sets. Only a few people have had any difficulties, and
all of those problems were dealt with successfully.

-- 

Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
Paul                mailto:pderocco@...

Re: [chromapolaris] New Member Hopefully New Owner

2015-06-03 by Paolo albanese

Confirmed. I bought and installed Paul panels. Very good quality and easy installation. Then, all depends if someone before tried to repair the failed contact strips/panel and made a mess shorting or cutting it such as happened to my Polaris but I succedeed indeed. Paul Panels are awesome.

Inviato da iPhone
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Il giorno 03/giu/2015, alle ore 19:39, 'Paul D. DeRocco' pderocco@... [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> ha scritto:
> 
> > From: PT
> > 
> > I have longingly studied the installation instructions for 
> > the replacement panels and they do seem pretty detailed and 
> > comprehensive. How many owners and with what kind of skill 
> > set have replaced their own panels? I worked in a music store 
> > that sold used synths many years ago and a couple Polarii 
> > came through with troubled membranes and I did do some 
> > investigating and poking around but it seemed like a losing 
> > battle with the brittle and deteriorating state of the 
> > ribbon. I hope I didn't leave the instruments in worse shape 
> > than I found them.
> 
> I've sold a lot of sets. Only a few people have had any difficulties, and
> all of those problems were dealt with successfully.
> 
> -- 
> 
> Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
> Paul mailto:pderocco@...m 
> 
>

Re: [chromapolaris] New Member Hopefully New Owner

2015-06-03 by Bob Grieb

I replaced the panel on mine, and also helped a friend do his.It's not that hard if you watch Paul's video and make sureyou follow each step.
    Bob
Show quoted textHide quoted text
      From: "Paul Krull paul.krull@yahoo.com [chromapolaris]" <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com>
 To: "chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com" <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> 
 Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2015 12:41 PM
 Subject: Re: [chromapolaris] New Member Hopefully New Owner
   
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 I have longingly studied the installation instructions for the replacement panels and they do seem pretty detailed and comprehensive. How many owners and with what kind of skill set have replaced their own panels? I worked in a music store that sold used synths many years ago and a couple Polarii came through with troubled membranes and I did do some investigating and poking around but it seemed like a losing battle with the brittle and deteriorating state of the ribbon. I hope I didn't leave the instruments in worse shape than I found them. PT   


     On Tuesday, June 2, 2015 6:11 PM, "steve.welk@... [chromapolaris]" <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
   

     I can attest to the wonderfulness of Paul's panels, and also for his generosity in sharing his expertise.  Thanks to his willingness to keep this cool instrument alive, my Polaris has been brought back from the dead.  It sat for many years (5-10, who knows) in my basement pretty much out of commission due to the broken flex problem.  I wasn't really sure what to do with it.  Then I found a book ("Synth Gods") in a 1/2 price bookstore, and it reactivated my interest in old analog synths.  It prompted me to research information on my old Polaris and i ran into Paul's replacement instructions.

Long story short, I bought a set of the panels.  He helped me debug a couple other problems, convinced me to try fixing a couple bad sliders and gave other good info (e.g. part number/where to find the ribbon connectors).  I now have a perfectly functioning (I think) Polaris again thanks to Paul.  I was even motivated to replace a couple chipped keys, found on ebay so now it looks pretty excellent too.

Amazingly enough, my D cells still registered 4 LED's of goodness after sitting idle all that time.  All presets were still there.

Anyway, only one question.  When pushing my master volume up past ~ 1/3 full scale, it gets pretty noisy. I gather this is "normal".  Was there ever a fix for this?  Do dedicated analog voltages/ground from the power supply board help?

Again, kudos to Paul!

Steve  #yiv0873386283 -- #yiv0873386283ygrp-mkp {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;font-family:Arial;margin:10px 0;padding:0 10px;}#yiv0873386283 #yiv0873386283ygrp-mkp hr {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;}#yiv0873386283 #yiv0873386283ygrp-mkp #yiv0873386283hd {color:#628c2a;font-size:85%;font-weight:700;line-height:122%;margin:10px 0;}#yiv0873386283 #yiv0873386283ygrp-mkp #yiv0873386283ads {margin-bottom:10px;}#yiv0873386283 #yiv0873386283ygrp-mkp .yiv0873386283ad {padding:0 0;}#yiv0873386283 #yiv0873386283ygrp-mkp .yiv0873386283ad p {margin:0;}#yiv0873386283 #yiv0873386283ygrp-mkp .yiv0873386283ad a {color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;}#yiv0873386283 #yiv0873386283ygrp-sponsor #yiv0873386283ygrp-lc {font-family:Arial;}#yiv0873386283 #yiv0873386283ygrp-sponsor #yiv0873386283ygrp-lc #yiv0873386283hd {margin:10px 0px;font-weight:700;font-size:78%;line-height:122%;}#yiv0873386283 #yiv0873386283ygrp-sponsor #yiv0873386283ygrp-lc .yiv0873386283ad {margin-bottom:10px;padding:0 0;}#yiv0873386283 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Re: [chromapolaris] New Member Hopefully New Owner

2015-06-13 by Paul

Yesterday I brought home Polaris #300740 according to the unopened warranty card. It is in immaculate condition: not a mark on it anywhere and the sliders all feel great plus the keys all work and seem to send the full range of velocity. The right side membrane is fully functional and the left side is completely dead. It still has all patches in it and sounds pretty good except the tuning is a little too spread out and I suspect I'll need the use of the left panel to tune it. I've got the manual and some aftermarket patches around here somewhere for some reason.
I'm not real eager to do anything to mess up the pristine condition of the case and the thought of skinning the bad membrane off with putty knives etc. is daunting.
Mr DeRocco: how much to ship a set of new panels to Seattle WA?

Sent from my iKaypro
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On May 31, 2015, at 10:20 AM, "'Paul D. DeRocco' pderocco@... [chromapolaris]" <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
> 
> > From: Paul T
> > 
> > I haven't actually played a Polaris for many years and have 
> > played several, some with panel issues and some fully 
> > functional but it looks like there are some new developments 
> > what with new panels being made and discussion groups that 
> > include much informed input so I'm hopeful that there are 
> > fixes for a sickly Polaris these days. 
> 
> I have replacement panels. You can see the installation process here:
> 
> http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=polarismembranepanelreplacement
> 
> Contact me off-list to purchase.
> 
> -- 
> 
> Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
> Paul mailto:pderocco@... 
> 
>

Polaris stubborn tuning problems

2015-07-09 by klosmon

Currently working on a Polaris that was severely mistreated.
Replaced the membrane panels, several pots;  upgraded the ROMs; tuned & 
scaled the power supply, DAC, CPU and voice board per the service manual.

Two voices (3 and 5) will not pass tune.  Re-enabling them shows that 
Oscillator B on both voices scales sharp towards the upper part of the 
keyboard;  also, when playing the filter resonance from the keyboard, 
those two voices are out of tune with the rest.

What I've done so far:  swapped out ALL ICs on the two offending voices 
-- no change.
Swapped out all the sample/hold caps and oscillator timing caps on the 
two offending voices -- no change.
Replaced the four ICs (Z60 - 63) in the sample/hold control circuit -- 
no change.

At this point, I'm out of ideas as to why these two voices are behaving 
this way.
All memory functions, internal and external controls, and other synth 
features are working correctly on all voices.

Any suggestions?
Thanks.
~GMM

Re: [chromapolaris] Polaris stubborn tuning problems

2015-07-09 by Bob Grieb

Until Paul jumps in, I guess anyone can throw out ideas,so I will...
The output of each synth channel goes through a 4053 MUX to createmain out and alt out.   Did you replace those on the two offending 
voices?   Also, did you scope the signal coming out of the "tune buffer"   and also the signal at the output of the 1489 Z46?
I know that those are not specific to particular voices, but maybe ifthey are bad, some voices could be more affected than others?
Bob
Show quoted textHide quoted text
      From: "klosmon klosmon@... [chromapolaris]" <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com>
 To: chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com 
 Sent: Thursday, July 9, 2015 5:04 PM
 Subject: [chromapolaris] Polaris stubborn tuning problems
   
Currently working on a Polaris that was severely mistreated.
Replaced the membrane panels, several pots;  upgraded the ROMs; tuned & 
scaled the power supply, DAC, CPU and voice board per the service manual.

Two voices (3 and 5) will not pass tune.  Re-enabling them shows that 
Oscillator B on both voices scales sharp towards the upper part of the 
keyboard;  also, when playing the filter resonance from the keyboard, 
those two voices are out of tune with the rest.

What I've done so far:  swapped out ALL ICs on the two offending voices 
-- no change.
Swapped out all the sample/hold caps and oscillator timing caps on the 
two offending voices -- no change.
Replaced the four ICs (Z60 - 63) in the sample/hold control circuit -- 
no change.

At this point, I'm out of ideas as to why these two voices are behaving 
this way.
All memory functions, internal and external controls, and other synth 
features are working correctly on all voices.

Any suggestions?
Thanks.
~GMM


------------------------------------

------------------------------------


------------------------------------

Yahoo Groups Links

Re: [chromapolaris] Polaris stubborn tuning problems

2015-07-10 by klosmon

On 7/9/2015 4:51 PM, Bob Grieb bobgrieb@... [chromapolaris] wrote:
> Until Paul jumps in, I guess anyone can throw out ideas,
> so I will...
>
> The output of each synth channel goes through a 4053 MUX to create
> main out and alt out.   Did you replace those on the two offending
> voices?
Yes, that was part of the "all ICs" on the offending voices.
>    Also, did you scope the signal coming out of the
> "tune buffer"   and also the signal at the output of the 1489 Z46?
> I know that those are not specific to particular voices, but maybe if
> they are bad, some voices could be more affected than others?
Yah, the ZCD signal looks the same for all oscillators.

Tomorrow I start measuring resistors & checking traces.
Will also look further back in the data lines to see if any disturbances 
there might be causing some trouble.
~G
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> Bob
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* "klosmon klosmon@... [chromapolaris]" 
> <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com>
> *To:* chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com
> *Sent:* Thursday, July 9, 2015 5:04 PM
> *Subject:* [chromapolaris] Polaris stubborn! tuning problems
>
> Currently working on a Polaris that was severely mistreated.
> Replaced the membrane panels, several pots; upgraded the ROMs; tuned &
> scaled the power supply, DAC, CPU and voice board per the service manual.
>
> Two voices (3 and 5) will not pass tune. Re-enabling them shows that
> Oscillator B on both voices scales sharp towards the upper part of the
> keyboard;  also, when playing the filter resonance from the keyboard,
> those two voices are out of tune with the rest.
>
> What I've done so far:  swapped out ALL ICs on the two offending voices
> -- no change.
> Swapped out all the sample/hold caps and oscillator timing caps on the
> two offending voices -- no change.
> Replaced the four ICs (Z60 - 63) in the sample/hold control circuit --
> no change.
>
> At this point, I'm out of ideas as to why these two voices are behaving
> this way.
> All memory functions, internal and external controls, and other synth
> features are working correctly on all voices.
>
> Any suggestions?
> Thanks.
> ~GMM
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> ------------------------------------
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo Groups Links
>
>
>     (Yahoo! ID required)
>
> chromapolaris-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com 
> <mailto:chromapolaris-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com>
>
>
>
>
>
>

RE: [chromapolaris] Polaris stubborn tuning problems

2015-07-10 by Paul D. DeRocco

If you have, or can borrow, a scope, it might be useful to watch the
various S&H voltages during the auto-tune process, to find out at what
point the autotune fails. The order of operations is:

    pitch 1 (5 different control voltages, width = mid, cutoff = max)
    pitch 2 (5 different control voltages, width = mid, cutoff = max)
    width 1 (2 different control voltages, pitch = 35Hz, cutoff = max)
    width 2 (2 different control voltages, pitch = 35Hz, cutoff = max)
    cutoff  (2 different control voltages, pitch = 0, width = 0)

If you don't see the cutoff doing anything (other than momentarily going
to max), then it's never getting as far as tuning the filter. If you never
see the width doing anything (other than momentarily going to mid), then
it's never getting as far as measuring the pulse width. Etc.

-- 

Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
Paul                mailto:pderocco@...

Re: Polaris stubborn tuning problems

2015-07-10 by John Leimseider

It may sound dumb, but I would swap the DAC... If a particular oscillator just needs one bit that isn't needed by any of the other oscillators and it's bad, by coincidence, you can have them fail. It wouldn't show up on the others, because it isn't needed. I saw this on a Polaris, and it took way too much time to find it. Can't hurt to try it. Same DAC as an OB8...

Sent from my iPad

Re: [chromapolaris] Re: Polaris stubborn tuning problems

2015-07-10 by klosmon

Not dumb, but as I have several spare DAC chips, I tried that already.

Next plan is to dig into the service manual description of the Timer 
Interface Serial I/O section, particularly as it relates to the tuning 
process.
I'm starting to think that the voices are working correctly, but some 
are receiving bad information.  We'll see.

Thanks.
~GMM

On 7/10/2015 10:54 AM, John Leimseider john.leimseider@... 
[chromapolaris] wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> It may sound dumb, but I would swap the DAC... If a particular 
> oscillator just needs one bit that isn't needed by any of the other 
> oscillators and it's bad, by coincidence, you can have them fail. It 
> wouldn't show up on the others, because it isn't needed. I saw this on 
> a Polaris, and it took way too much time to find it. Can't hurt to try 
> it. Same DAC as an OB8...
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>

RE: [chromapolaris] Re: Polaris stubborn tuning problems

2015-07-10 by Paul D. DeRocco

> From: GMM
> 
> Next plan is to dig into the service manual description of the Timer 
> Interface Serial I/O section, particularly as it relates to 
> the tuning process.

If the working channels end up in tune, then the timer circuitry is
probably fine.

> I'm starting to think that the voices are working correctly, but some 
> are receiving bad information.  We'll see.

The only thing outside the channels that isn't common to the channels are
the various decoded lines that enable the S&H switches and that clock the
data latches. Have you tried replacing the chips that generate those lines
(Z31, Z32, Z60, Z61, Z62)?

-- 

Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
Paul                mailto:pderocco@...

Re: [chromapolaris] Re: Polaris stubborn tuning problems

2015-07-10 by klosmon

On 7/10/2015 3:45 PM, 'Paul D. DeRocco' pderocco@... 
[chromapolaris] wrote:
>
> > From: GMM
> >
> > Next plan is to dig into the service manual description of the Timer
> > Interface Serial I/O section, particularly as it relates to
> > the tuning process.
>
> If the working channels end up in tune, then the timer circuitry is
> probably fine.
>
> > I'm starting to think that the voices are working correctly, but some
> > are receiving bad information. We'll see.
>
> The only thing outside the channels that isn't common to the channels are
> the various decoded lines that enable the S&H switches and that clock the
> data latches. Have you tried replacing the chips that generate those lines
> (Z31, Z32, Z60, Z61, Z62)?
>
The S/H control parts (60, 61, 62) have already been changed, with no 
effect.
I have 31 & 32 on order (along with a few other things) -- will see what 
happens when they arrive,
Thanks.

Now, back to work on the distressed Rhodes Chroma (left exposed to sea 
air for about ten years -- didn't think such corrosion was possible).
~GMM
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> -- 
>
> Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
> Paul mailto:pderocco@...
>
>

Re: [chromapolaris] New Member Hopefully New Owner

2015-09-18 by masonhu@aol.com

Do panels/membranes deteriorate over time even if the unit is not being 
used?
(or is it mainly heavy use that causes them to break down?_

i.e. If someone's selling a pristine synth is there still a pretty good 
chance the original panels underneath might be shot?
Show quoted textHide quoted text
On 6/3/2015 2:21 PM, Bob Grieb bobgrieb@... [chromapolaris] wrote:
> I replaced the panel on mine, and also helped a friend do his.
> It's not that hard if you watch Paul's video and make sure
> you follow each step.
>
>     Bob
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* "Paul Krull paul.krull@... [chromapolaris]" 
> <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com>
> *To:* "chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com" <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 3, 2015 12:41 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [chromapolaris] New Member Hopefully New Owner
>
>
>
>  I have longingly studied the installation instructions for the 
> replacement panels and they do seem pretty detailed and comprehensive. 
> How many owners and with what kind of skill set have replaced their 
> own panels? I worked in a music store that sold used synths many years 
> ago and a couple Polarii came through with troubled membranes and I 
> did do some investigating and poking around but it seemed like a 
> losing battle with the brittle and deteriorating state of the ribbon. 
> I hope I didn't leave the instruments in worse shape than I found them.
>  PT
>
>
>
> On Tuesday, June 2, 2015 6:11 PM, "steve.welk@... 
> [chromapolaris]" <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
>
> I can attest to the wonderfulness of Paul's panels, and also for his 
> generosity in sharing his expertise.  Thanks to his willingness to 
> keep this cool instrument alive, my Polaris has been brought back from 
> the dead.  It sat for many years (5-10, who knows) in my basement 
> pretty much out of commission due to the broken flex problem.  I 
> wasn't really sure what to do with it.  Then I found a book ("Synth 
> Gods") in a 1/2 price bookstore, and it reactivated my interest in old 
> analog synths.  It prompted me to research information on my old 
> Polaris and i ran into Paul's replacement instructions.
>
> Long story short, I bought a set of the panels.  He helped me debug a 
> couple other problems, convinced me to try fixing a couple bad sliders 
> and gave other good info (e.g. part number/where to find the ribbon 
> connectors).  I now have a perfectly functioning (I think) Polaris 
> again thanks to Paul.  I was even motivated to replace a couple 
> chipped keys, found on ebay so now it looks pretty excellent too.
>
> Amazingly enough, my D cells still registered 4 LED's of goodness 
> after sitting idle all that time.  All presets were still there.
>
> Anyway, only one question.  When pushing my master volume up past ~ 
> 1/3 full scale, it gets pretty noisy. I gather this is "normal".  Was 
> there ever a fix for this?  Do dedicated analog voltages/ground from 
> the power supply board help?
>
> Again, kudos to Paul!
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Re: [chromapolaris] New Member Hopefully New Owner

2015-09-18 by Bob Grieb

Paul D is the expert on this, of course.   It's the tails that are used to connect to the panels
that become brittle with age and crack, breaking the connections.   I don't think these flex much 
with use, so I would guess that it's just age-related and probably has little to do with use.

But maybe if the synth is in a moister environment the tails might not dry out as much?
Of course a moist environment can lead to lots of other issues...

   Bob
--------------------------------------------
On Fri, 9/18/15, 'masonhu@aol.com' Masonhu@... [chromapolaris] <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
 Subject: Re: [chromapolaris] New Member Hopefully New Owner
 To: chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com
 Date: Friday, September 18, 2015, 10:19 AM
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         
 
   
     
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Do panels/membranes deteriorate over time even if the
 unit is not
     being used?
 
     (or is it mainly heavy use that causes them to break
 down?_
 
     
 
     i.e. If someone's selling a pristine synth is there
 still a pretty
     good chance the original panels underneath might be
 shot?
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     On 6/3/2015 2:21 PM, Bob Grieb bobgrieb@yahoo.com
     [chromapolaris] wrote:
 
       
       
           
             
               I replaced
 the
                 panel on mine, and also helped a friend do
 his.
               It's
 not that
                 hard if you watch Paul's video and make
 sure
               you follow
 each
                 step.
               
 
               
                   Bob
 
               
               
 
               
                   
 
               
               
               
 
               
                 
                   
                       From:
                       "Paul Krull paul.krull@...
                       [chromapolaris]" <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com>
 
                       To:
                       "chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com"
                       <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com>
                       
 
                       Sent:
                       Wednesday, June 3, 2015 12:41 PM
 
                       Subject:
                       Re: [chromapolaris] New Member
 Hopefully New Owner
 
                      
                   
 
                     
                        
 
                         
 
                         
                            I
 
                               have longingly studied the
 installation
                               instructions for the
 replacement panels
                               and they do seem pretty
 detailed and
                               comprehensive. How many owners
 and with
                               what kind of skill set have
 replaced their
                               own panels? I worked in a
 music store that
                               sold used synths many years
 ago and a
                               couple Polarii came through
 with troubled
                               membranes and I did do some
 investigating
                               and poking around but it
 seemed like a
                               losing battle with the brittle
 and
                               deteriorating state of the
 ribbon. I hope
                               I didn't leave the
 instruments in worse
                               shape than I found
 them.
                            PT
                             
                           
 
                           
 
                             
 
                           
                           
                             
                               
                                   On Tuesday, June 2,
                                     2015 6:11 PM, "steve.welk@...m
 
                                      
 [chromapolaris]" <chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com>
                                     wrote:
 
                                    
                                 
 
                                 
 
                                 
                                   
                                     
                                        
                                       
                                         
                                           
                                             I
                                               can attest to
 the
                                               wonderfulness
 of Paul's
                                               panels, and
 also for his
                                               generosity in
 sharing his
                                               expertise. 
 Thanks to his
                                               willingness to
 keep this
                                               cool
 instrument alive, my
                                               Polaris has
 been brought
                                               back from the
 dead.  It
                                               sat for many
 years (5-10,
                                               who knows) in
 my basement
                                               pretty much
 out of
                                               commission due
 to the
                                               broken flex
 problem.  I
                                               wasn't
 really sure what to
                                               do with it. 
 Then I found
                                               a book
 ("Synth Gods") in a
                                               1/2 price
 bookstore, and
                                               it reactivated
 my interest
                                               in old analog
 synths.  It
                                               prompted me to
 research
                                               information on
 my old
                                               Polaris and i
 ran into
                                               Paul's
 replacement
                                              
 instructions.
 
                                               
 
                                               Long story
 short, I bought
                                               a set of the
 panels.  He
                                               helped me
 debug a couple
                                               other
 problems, convinced
                                               me to try
 fixing a couple
                                               bad sliders
 and gave other
                                               good info
 (e.g. part
                                               number/where
 to find the
                                               ribbon
 connectors).  I now
                                               have a
 perfectly
                                               functioning (I
 think)
                                               Polaris again
 thanks to
                                               Paul.  I was
 even
                                               motivated to
 replace a
                                               couple chipped
 keys, found
                                               on ebay so now
 it looks
                                               pretty
 excellent too.
 
                                               
 
                                               Amazingly
 enough, my D
                                               cells still
 registered 4
                                               LED's of
 goodness after
                                               sitting idle
 all that
                                               time.  All
 presets were
                                               still
 there.
 
                                               
 
                                               Anyway, only
 one
                                               question. 
 When pushing my
                                               master volume
 up past ~
                                               1/3 full
 scale, it gets
                                               pretty noisy.
 I gather
                                               this is
 "normal".  Was
                                               there ever a
 fix for
                                               this?  Do
 dedicated analog
                                              
 voltages/ground from the
                                               power supply
 board help?
 
                                               
 
                                               Again, kudos
 to Paul!
 
                                               
 
                                               Steve

RE: [chromapolaris] New Member Hopefully New Owner

2015-09-18 by Paul D. DeRocco

> From: Bob
> 
> Paul D is the expert on this, of course.   It's the tails 
> that are used to connect to the panels
> that become brittle with age and crack, breaking the 
> connections.   I don't think these flex much 
> with use, so I would guess that it's just age-related and 
> probably has little to do with use.
> 
> But maybe if the synth is in a moister environment the tails 
> might not dry out as much?
> Of course a moist environment can lead to lots of other issues...

No one knows what actually causes the failures, but I don't think it's
lack of moisture. I think it's a chemical reaction between the Mylar (if
it really is Mylar) and either something in the silver ink or the green
"protective" backing. But whatever it is, it apparently has nothing to do
with heavy use.

-- 

Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
Paul                mailto:pderocco@...

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