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SCI Prophet 5 display flicker

SCI Prophet 5 display flicker

2006-11-22 by easterleggs

My Prophet 5 had an issue where the LED's would occasionally flicker
slightly and introduce a glitch noise into the audio output.  I've
since replaced all  power supply caps (tantalums replaced with
electrolytics) and the LM337 voltage regulator.  After some initial
tests it seems to have remedied the glitch noise problem (even though
the LED's will flicker a bit when adjusting the FILTER CUTOFF
pot...?), BUT (isn't there always a 'but'?!) a new issue has
manifested.  My Prophet is a rev 3.3 with MIDI.  When in preset mode
on any patch ending in the number 8, some LED's on unused buttons
flicker on and off, the numbers on the panel will scramble a bit, and
occasionally, the synth will skip into TUNE mode.  The problem doesn't
happen when I press the PRESET button to take it to panel mode nor
when the patch number ends in anything other than 8.  Is this a RAM
(6508 CMOS) problem?  Anyone dealt with this before?

Re: [vintagesynthrepair] SCI Prophet 5 display flicker

2006-11-23 by GB

I don't have any current Pro5 experience, but in synths of the day,
the CPU shared duties between reading the pots, updating the LEDs
and sound generation (to some degree).  I've seen situations where
a dirty pot (which gives out wildly varying values) caused the CPU
to spend too much time reading the pot and sacrificed the lower 
priority functions (e.g. the LEDs).  For instance, the Mirage would
totally give up on it's LEDs if you played fast chords... ;-)  


----- Original Message ----- 
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: "easterleggs" <milotoll@...>
To: <vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 7:23 AM
Subject: [vintagesynthrepair] SCI Prophet 5 display flicker


> My Prophet 5 had an issue where the LED's would occasionally flicker
> slightly and introduce a glitch noise into the audio output.  I've
> since replaced all  power supply caps (tantalums replaced with
> electrolytics) and the LM337 voltage regulator.  After some initial
> tests it seems to have remedied the glitch noise problem (even though
> the LED's will flicker a bit when adjusting the FILTER CUTOFF
> pot...?), BUT (isn't there always a 'but'?!) a new issue has
> manifested.  My Prophet is a rev 3.3 with MIDI.  When in preset mode
> on any patch ending in the number 8, some LED's on unused buttons
> flicker on and off, the numbers on the panel will scramble a bit, and
> occasionally, the synth will skip into TUNE mode.  The problem doesn't
> happen when I press the PRESET button to take it to panel mode nor
> when the patch number ends in anything other than 8.  Is this a RAM
> (6508 CMOS) problem?  Anyone dealt with this before?

Re: SCI Prophet 5 display flicker

2006-11-24 by easterleggs

That could explain the more noticeable flicker witnessed when the
FILTER CUTOFF knob is adjusted though there's no audible evidence of a
dirty pot.  Of course, it wouldn't hurt to clean them all anyway!

But the other problem I described -a more dramatic flicker in PRESET
mode with any program ending in "8"- has me concerned.  Perhaps
there's some intermittent short in the switch caused by some some bit
of loose metal...?  

I'll explore some more possibilities...

--- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "GB" <grantbt@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> I don't have any current Pro5 experience, but in synths of the day,
> the CPU shared duties between reading the pots, updating the LEDs
> and sound generation (to some degree).  I've seen situations where
> a dirty pot (which gives out wildly varying values) caused the CPU
> to spend too much time reading the pot and sacrificed the lower 
> priority functions (e.g. the LEDs).  For instance, the Mirage would
> totally give up on it's LEDs if you played fast chords... ;-)  
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "easterleggs" <milotoll@...>
> To: <vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 7:23 AM
> Subject: [vintagesynthrepair] SCI Prophet 5 display flicker
> 
> 
> > My Prophet 5 had an issue where the LED's would occasionally flicker
> > slightly and introduce a glitch noise into the audio output.  I've
> > since replaced all  power supply caps (tantalums replaced with
> > electrolytics) and the LM337 voltage regulator.  After some initial
> > tests it seems to have remedied the glitch noise problem (even though
> > the LED's will flicker a bit when adjusting the FILTER CUTOFF
> > pot...?), BUT (isn't there always a 'but'?!) a new issue has
> > manifested.  My Prophet is a rev 3.3 with MIDI.  When in preset mode
> > on any patch ending in the number 8, some LED's on unused buttons
> > flicker on and off, the numbers on the panel will scramble a bit, and
> > occasionally, the synth will skip into TUNE mode.  The problem doesn't
> > happen when I press the PRESET button to take it to panel mode nor
> > when the patch number ends in anything other than 8.  Is this a RAM
> > (6508 CMOS) problem?  Anyone dealt with this before?
>

Re: [vintagesynthrepair] SCI Prophet 5 display flicker

2006-11-24 by akira honda

Try replacing the CA3082 (QA201) from the control matrices board and the CD4042 (U204, U205) .. the CA3082 is a transistor array that is connected to the leds and the display .. i had a P5 Rev 3.0 and upgraded to Rev 3.3 and had a similar situation with the display number and the leds flicking. I replaced those IC's and the problem resolved.. of course i cleaned some pots that cause more flicking ... also some leds lights more that before.

Hope this help you... regards from mexico


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Yahoo! Music Unlimited
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Re: SCI Prophet 5 display flicker

2007-01-16 by easterleggs

My Prophet 5 display flicker/lockup problem has been solved!  When
replacing the LM337 voltage regulator I noticed that the screw and nut
that connects the regulator to the large heat sink would not tighten
beyond a certain point.  I thought it was snug enough and proceeded
with my power supply cap replacement.

Upon second inspection the threads of that screw had worn away so the
LM337 regulator (negative supply) was not making good contact with the
heat sink.  Following the recommendations of the service manual, I
replaced all three regulator screws with new #4 3/8" round head
machine screws.  I cleaned the heat sink, mica tabs and regulators of
any old heat sink compound.  I reapplied heat sink compound to the
back of the regulators and to the mica tabs.  I fastened the
regulators to the heat sink using the nylon washers, lock washers and
nut with new screw prepared with a blue, medium duty threadsealer
compound.  I tightened the screw until the nylon washer started to
deform.  

The Prophet 5 now does not exhibit the initial flicker/glitch noise
problem I had before changing ALL power supply caps NOR does it jitter
and lockup after an initial 15-20 minute warm up.  Lesson learned:
Don't neglect the power supply in the Prophet 5!

Thanks for all the suggestions!


--- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "easterleggs"
<milotoll@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> My Prophet 5 had an issue where the LED's would occasionally flicker
> slightly and introduce a glitch noise into the audio output.  I've
> since replaced all  power supply caps (tantalums replaced with
> electrolytics) and the LM337 voltage regulator.  After some initial
> tests it seems to have remedied the glitch noise problem (even though
> the LED's will flicker a bit when adjusting the FILTER CUTOFF
> pot...?), BUT (isn't there always a 'but'?!) a new issue has
> manifested.  My Prophet is a rev 3.3 with MIDI.  When in preset mode
> on any patch ending in the number 8, some LED's on unused buttons
> flicker on and off, the numbers on the panel will scramble a bit, and
> occasionally, the synth will skip into TUNE mode.  The problem doesn't
> happen when I press the PRESET button to take it to panel mode nor
> when the patch number ends in anything other than 8.  Is this a RAM
> (6508 CMOS) problem?  Anyone dealt with this before?
>

Re: SCI Prophet 5 display flicker

2007-12-06 by gil_we

Hi there.

Is your P5 still stable after the fix you describe here ?

Thanks!


--- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "easterleggs" 
<milotoll@...> wrote:
>
> My Prophet 5 display flicker/lockup problem has been solved!  When
> replacing the LM337 voltage regulator I noticed that the screw and 
nut
> that connects the regulator to the large heat sink would not tighten
> beyond a certain point.  I thought it was snug enough and proceeded
> with my power supply cap replacement.
> 
> Upon second inspection the threads of that screw had worn away so 
the
> LM337 regulator (negative supply) was not making good contact with 
the
> heat sink.  Following the recommendations of the service manual, I
> replaced all three regulator screws with new #4 3/8" round head
> machine screws.  I cleaned the heat sink, mica tabs and regulators 
of
> any old heat sink compound.  I reapplied heat sink compound to the
> back of the regulators and to the mica tabs.  I fastened the
> regulators to the heat sink using the nylon washers, lock washers 
and
> nut with new screw prepared with a blue, medium duty threadsealer
> compound.  I tightened the screw until the nylon washer started to
> deform.  
> 
> The Prophet 5 now does not exhibit the initial flicker/glitch noise
> problem I had before changing ALL power supply caps NOR does it 
jitter
> and lockup after an initial 15-20 minute warm up.  Lesson learned:
> Don't neglect the power supply in the Prophet 5!
> 
> Thanks for all the suggestions!
> 
> 
> --- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "easterleggs"
> <milotoll@> wrote:
> >
> > My Prophet 5 had an issue where the LED's would occasionally 
flicker
> > slightly and introduce a glitch noise into the audio output.  I've
> > since replaced all  power supply caps (tantalums replaced with
> > electrolytics) and the LM337 voltage regulator.  After some 
initial
> > tests it seems to have remedied the glitch noise problem (even 
though
> > the LED's will flicker a bit when adjusting the FILTER CUTOFF
> > pot...?), BUT (isn't there always a 'but'?!) a new issue has
> > manifested.  My Prophet is a rev 3.3 with MIDI.  When in preset 
mode
> > on any patch ending in the number 8, some LED's on unused buttons
> > flicker on and off, the numbers on the panel will scramble a bit, 
and
> > occasionally, the synth will skip into TUNE mode.  The problem 
doesn't
> > happen when I press the PRESET button to take it to panel mode nor
> > when the patch number ends in anything other than 8.  Is this a 
RAM
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> > (6508 CMOS) problem?  Anyone dealt with this before?
> >
>

Re: SCI Prophet 5 display flicker

2007-12-07 by easterleggs

It has remained perfectly stable since the fix.  Are you having a
similar problem?

Thanks,
Stephen

--- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "gil_we" <gil_we@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> Hi there.
> 
> Is your P5 still stable after the fix you describe here ?
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> 
> --- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "easterleggs" 
> <milotoll@> wrote:
> >
> > My Prophet 5 display flicker/lockup problem has been solved!  When
> > replacing the LM337 voltage regulator I noticed that the screw and 
> nut
> > that connects the regulator to the large heat sink would not tighten
> > beyond a certain point.  I thought it was snug enough and proceeded
> > with my power supply cap replacement.
> > 
> > Upon second inspection the threads of that screw had worn away so 
> the
> > LM337 regulator (negative supply) was not making good contact with 
> the
> > heat sink.  Following the recommendations of the service manual, I
> > replaced all three regulator screws with new #4 3/8" round head
> > machine screws.  I cleaned the heat sink, mica tabs and regulators 
> of
> > any old heat sink compound.  I reapplied heat sink compound to the
> > back of the regulators and to the mica tabs.  I fastened the
> > regulators to the heat sink using the nylon washers, lock washers 
> and
> > nut with new screw prepared with a blue, medium duty threadsealer
> > compound.  I tightened the screw until the nylon washer started to
> > deform.  
> > 
> > The Prophet 5 now does not exhibit the initial flicker/glitch noise
> > problem I had before changing ALL power supply caps NOR does it 
> jitter
> > and lockup after an initial 15-20 minute warm up.  Lesson learned:
> > Don't neglect the power supply in the Prophet 5!
> > 
> > Thanks for all the suggestions!
> > 
> > 
> > --- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "easterleggs"
> > <milotoll@> wrote:
> > >
> > > My Prophet 5 had an issue where the LED's would occasionally 
> flicker
> > > slightly and introduce a glitch noise into the audio output.  I've
> > > since replaced all  power supply caps (tantalums replaced with
> > > electrolytics) and the LM337 voltage regulator.  After some 
> initial
> > > tests it seems to have remedied the glitch noise problem (even 
> though
> > > the LED's will flicker a bit when adjusting the FILTER CUTOFF
> > > pot...?), BUT (isn't there always a 'but'?!) a new issue has
> > > manifested.  My Prophet is a rev 3.3 with MIDI.  When in preset 
> mode
> > > on any patch ending in the number 8, some LED's on unused buttons
> > > flicker on and off, the numbers on the panel will scramble a bit, 
> and
> > > occasionally, the synth will skip into TUNE mode.  The problem 
> doesn't
> > > happen when I press the PRESET button to take it to panel mode nor
> > > when the patch number ends in anything other than 8.  Is this a 
> RAM
> > > (6508 CMOS) problem?  Anyone dealt with this before?
> > >
> >
>

Re: SCI Prophet 5 display flicker

2007-12-08 by gil_we

The story with mine is different. I got my Rev 3.2 with no powersupply
and bottom/read panel. I DIYed a powersupply for it and had a few
issues, among them dropping voltages. I found that I used tantalum
caps of voltage rating which is too low for that circuit (although
they all rated 25v), and that the wires going from the synth to the PS
rails had bad contacts. Once I solved those problems, mine seems to be
stable for two days now. BTW, I use a small 5cm CPU fan on the heat
sink to keep it cool, ran by a separate power supply. The leds do
flicker when rotating knobs, but afaik this seems to be a known issue
on P5's.


If yours is equipped with MIDI, then you probably will need to raise
the +5.6v rail voltage a bit so the +5v rail on the main board doesn't
drop too much. An article that I've found explains that the MIDI
circuit brings the +5.6v rail to it's limit. It suggests adding
another diode in series with the diode on the power supply which
connects the 7805 regulator to the ground, thus rising the headroom
voltage from +5.6v to +6.2v, resulting in higher voltage on the +5v
motherboard rail. 

I tried that on mine and got +5.5v instead of +5v, which seems a bit
too much, but anyway,  once I realized that the voltage problem
occured as a result of bad contacts, I didn't need that anymore. But
yes, expect the MIDI equipped P5's to have voltage issues otherwise
they are work-around somehow. 




--- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "easterleggs"
<milotoll@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> It has remained perfectly stable since the fix.  Are you having a
> similar problem?
> 
> Thanks,
> Stephen
> 
> --- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "gil_we" <gil_we@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi there.
> > 
> > Is your P5 still stable after the fix you describe here ?
> > 
> > Thanks!
> > 
> > 
> > --- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "easterleggs" 
> > <milotoll@> wrote:
> > >
> > > My Prophet 5 display flicker/lockup problem has been solved!  When
> > > replacing the LM337 voltage regulator I noticed that the screw and 
> > nut
> > > that connects the regulator to the large heat sink would not tighten
> > > beyond a certain point.  I thought it was snug enough and proceeded
> > > with my power supply cap replacement.
> > > 
> > > Upon second inspection the threads of that screw had worn away so 
> > the
> > > LM337 regulator (negative supply) was not making good contact with 
> > the
> > > heat sink.  Following the recommendations of the service manual, I
> > > replaced all three regulator screws with new #4 3/8" round head
> > > machine screws.  I cleaned the heat sink, mica tabs and regulators 
> > of
> > > any old heat sink compound.  I reapplied heat sink compound to the
> > > back of the regulators and to the mica tabs.  I fastened the
> > > regulators to the heat sink using the nylon washers, lock washers 
> > and
> > > nut with new screw prepared with a blue, medium duty threadsealer
> > > compound.  I tightened the screw until the nylon washer started to
> > > deform.  
> > > 
> > > The Prophet 5 now does not exhibit the initial flicker/glitch noise
> > > problem I had before changing ALL power supply caps NOR does it 
> > jitter
> > > and lockup after an initial 15-20 minute warm up.  Lesson learned:
> > > Don't neglect the power supply in the Prophet 5!
> > > 
> > > Thanks for all the suggestions!
> > > 
> > > 
> > > --- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "easterleggs"
> > > <milotoll@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > My Prophet 5 had an issue where the LED's would occasionally 
> > flicker
> > > > slightly and introduce a glitch noise into the audio output.  I've
> > > > since replaced all  power supply caps (tantalums replaced with
> > > > electrolytics) and the LM337 voltage regulator.  After some 
> > initial
> > > > tests it seems to have remedied the glitch noise problem (even 
> > though
> > > > the LED's will flicker a bit when adjusting the FILTER CUTOFF
> > > > pot...?), BUT (isn't there always a 'but'?!) a new issue has
> > > > manifested.  My Prophet is a rev 3.3 with MIDI.  When in preset 
> > mode
> > > > on any patch ending in the number 8, some LED's on unused buttons
> > > > flicker on and off, the numbers on the panel will scramble a bit, 
> > and
> > > > occasionally, the synth will skip into TUNE mode.  The problem 
> > doesn't
> > > > happen when I press the PRESET button to take it to panel mode nor
> > > > when the patch number ends in anything other than 8.  Is this a 
> > RAM
> > > > (6508 CMOS) problem?  Anyone dealt with this before?
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

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