Vintage Synth Repair

Do I need to keep power connected to the synth while the battery is being switched(numbers checked,etc.), or can I just change the batteries without worrying about the synth memory?.  Thanks again for the knowlege.  jmn

As far as I know there's usually some time allowed, like 5 to 10  
minutes when memory is supplied from some internal condenser during  
battery exchange. It differs for different instruments, and maybe  
some can lose the RAM content. You must read the Owner's manual for  
your machine, for sure such important information is there.

I don't think you should have instrument on when changing battery and  
have it opened. You never know, something (battery or some tool) can  
fell down to the board and make short contact or destroy some  
component, or by chance you or somebody else will touch high voltage  
part and get a shock...

Besides it's always recommended to save your important RAM data  
before changing internal battery. You never know what can happen. It  
can be saved to the external RAM cartridge or card (if your  
instrument has it), floppy disk (if your instrument has FDD), USB  
memory stick, ZIP or HD (if your instrument has), another instrument  
of the same branch and model, or as SysEx dump to some external data  
recorder (be it memory type like Korg MEX8000 or FDD like Yamaha MDF  
series) or to hardware or software sequencer.

Concerning instruments like some cheaper portable keyboards which can  
use batteries for functioning and for supplying the RAM when switched  
off, and can also work on external power adapter, there is  
recommended to connect adapter, leave instrument switched off and  
then change batteries. But if I remember well, even here is some time  
when instrument will keep the data without batteries and power  
adapter, like 5 minutes or so.

Good luck!

Daniel Forro

On 15 Sep 2009, at 5:58 AM, master_peau wrote:

> Do I need to keep power connected to the synth while the battery is  
> being switched(numbers checked,etc.), or can I just change the  
> batteries without worrying about the synth memory?.  Thanks again  
> for the knowlege.  jmn

> I don't think you should have instrument on when changing battery
> and  have it opened.

If it's the kind that you have to desolder (E.g. Lihium) you shouldn't even 
have it plugged in!  The tip on many soldering irons is grounded and if your 
synth is grounded through power or audio jacks you might find yourself in 
emergency waiting for face transplant surgery.  Back up your patches first.