OB-VFD Replacement display board - March update
Hi,
My apologies for the lack of updates regarding the OB-VFD display upgrade recently. Despite this, please be assured that the upgrade is still being actively worked on and is close to being ready for production.
The only issue which has been encountered during the beta programme is that some instruments have very noisy power supplies and this noise can couple into the display circuitry. I have to be confident that the upgrades will work with ALL instruments out there, so am currently adding extra filtering and improving the PCB tracking to remove the interference.
The Xpander on which all the original development work was done had just been completely recapped, so was much less noisy and did not reveal the problem!
Other than that, there have been no problems with fit or function, so I hope to be able to post again shortly to say that all is ready. Many thanks for all the expressions of interest - I appreciate them, and it is good to know that the product is needed.
Best regards,
Steve
Steve Lenham
Benden Sound Technology
www.bendensound.co.uk
|
Hi s! there is nothing wrong with your xpander! Simply the sustain pedal jack switch is stuck in the on position! The remedies are: 1.Open the xpander and repair/replace the pedal 1 jack or 2.dissable in the software the functionallity of pedal 1! Go to MASTER PAGE/MIDI/CNTRS/PEDAL 1 and use the rotary under pedal1 to assign any other CC value other than PEDAL 1, say 0 for example! This will take care of it without the need to repair the input jack! Best regards,Takis. --- In xpantastic@..., Simon G <playthefivetones@...> wrote:
that was a lot of really great information, Karl, thank you. presumably those capacitors are easy to find?
do you think the problem below could be a capacitor issue?
does anybody else had/ have a problem where VCA 2 is 'stuck on' some old notes...almost like a midi note is stuck on.i've tried the boot reset, all midi notes off (i'm quite convinced it's not midi related at this point), still there. always get a? tuning pass across the board, except one time where VCF failed (still sounded fine). i have not been able to duplicate that. doesn't seem to be isolated to one voice.? plays fine, sounds great (amazing), just have to leave vca2 at 0 which in most patches seems to make little difference.
also i've been using the stuck VCA2 to make easy drones which i quite like.
i searched for the problem everywhere and found someone else who had posted with it? and got a couple of responses...one saying it was common on Jupiters (iirc) but no real solutions.
can it be tuned out with a good calibration? considering everything else works should i just leave it alone? could i be making it worse by using it like this?
thanks
s
--- On Thu, 2/26/09, Karl <shire03@...> wrote:
From: Karl <shire03@...>
Subject: [xpantastic] Re: xpander dac
To: xpantastic@...
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009, 4:43 AM
Hey Everyone,
I have been helping folks fix their Xpanders / Matrix 12s for awhile
here. I can tell you that by far the most failed component is
electrolytic capacitors. A 2.2 uF @ 50V coupling capacitor is used
through out the analog voice boards. This capacitor will fail and
cause numerous voice problems from failed auto-tune to no sound. The
next part would be the encoders. Usually a good cleaning fixes this.
Next would be the VFD displays which are very hard to find. Steve
Lanham is working on an upgrade for this one.
see:
. mail.yahoo. com/mc/compose? to=steve@ bendentech. co.uk
There have been a few cases of VCO ( 3374 ) and VCF filter chips (
3372 ) failing. Not impossible to find, but expensive.
The DAC issue from Takis is the first I've seen of that part failing.
Many times things can be fixed by simply re seating ( pulling out and
putting back in ) the chips. This is easy on the Xpander because
every integrated circuit is in a socket. Finally, many problems are
caused by cold solder joints. Simply re flowing the solder around the
suspect part can fix this. I always recommend doing this first
before replacing parts.
I personally have fixed my matrix 12 (owned since 1987) several times
This included cleaning the key contacts (typical of any keyboard)
Several of the before mentioned capacitors. An analog switch chip
which had it's pin folded under at the factory. And finally, several
74HC14 Schmidt trigger chips which debounce the encoders.
Soon ( when time permits ) I would like to make a better list along
with part numbers etc. that we could all use to trouble shoot these
wonderful machines. I have been collecting capacitors/ battary etc.
to recap mine.
BTW If you have any software issues/questions Tony C. is the man to
talk to, and PeWe is the best expert on sound design / functionality
( on nearly any synth ) I have ever talked to. Actually, all the
folks in this group are sharp characters ( they own xpanders :-)
Best Regards
Karl
--- In xpantastic@yahoogro ups.com, Tony Cappellini <cappy2112@ ..>
wrote:
Not really, but my gear is very under-used compared to most. One voice is a little squirrly (occasionally) . Karl was nice enough to
point me to which cap typically goes bad that causes my symptoms. Karl
is very knowledgable about the Xpander. I've wanted to recap my voice circuits, but haven't found someone I will trust my Xpander with. For a long time that voice failed auto-tune now & then, but I coulnd't
hear anything bad. Now I can hear it ;-) I bought a bunch of spare parts a long time ago when they were easy to find.
On 2/25/09, Simon G <playthefivetones@ ...> wrote:
thanks for the info. if you don't mind me asking, has anything
failed on your xpander?
|
Re: Power switch flickering - problem/question
huh, interesting vid. Though he seems to be saying the reverse-i.e. don't keep them on their side! (and maybe the chroma in particular). I guess it depends on whether there are individual voice cards that could bend against their sockets. My Xpander is always "horizontal", just at varying degrees depending on whether it's on a stand, or sitting flat. --- In xpantastic@..., Simon G <playthefivetones@ ...> wrote:
funny you should mention the vertical vs. horizontal placement of the synth...watched a video interview of the guy from goldfrapp (it's quite good i thought ) and he says old synths store better on their sides. he doesn't seem to know why but i'd imagine he's dealt with a lot of synth repair and synth repair folks over the years.
--- On Fri, 2/27/09, mattvrazo <vrazomatt@...> wrote:
From: mattvrazo <vrazomatt@...>
Subject: [xpantastic] Power switch flickering - problem/question
To: xpantastic@...
Date: Friday, February 27, 2009, 2:13 AM
I thought I better start a new post instead of 'jack the DAC thread.
I noticed recently that depending on the angle of my xpander i.e.
flat, versus angled on a rack where it normally sits, there is
flickering in the power switch light. There is more flickering the
more horizintal it is, and none at all when it is vertical.
I don't know if it's coincidence that it seemed the only trouble I
ever had with tuning (the filters, not the voices), was when it was
flat. All the filters passed, but the they were never completely when
self-oscillating (they are when it's more vertical). They kept being
out of tune on two voices in particular, so I thought it might have
been a filter chip issue, but then I put it back on the rack and had
no problem.
More than anything, I am worried the flickering is indication that
something is somehow "moving" around... something power supply related:/
I plan to have the whole thing pre-emptively serviced (recapped) soon
anyways, but does anyone have any clue what the flicker might be a
sign or, or the result of?
|
Hi Simon,
?
Yeah, the capacitors are easy to find and cheap. Ibought 200 for around $20.00 USD.
The part is a 2.2 uF @ 50VDC. Try to get the newest ones you can find.?
?
On your current question. I am a little unclear here.?AFAIK The VCA2 is usually set to ?0
and a modulator?( envelope or lfo ) is used to change it's?setting. If you turn VCA2 up it will
continuously sound.?Is this whats going on, or something different?
?
Best Regards
?
- Karl
?
|
--- On Fri, 3/6/09, Simon G wrote:
From: Simon G
Subject: Re: [xpantastic] Re: xpander dac
To: xpantastic@...
Date: Friday, March 6, 2009, 7:52 AM
that was a lot of really great information, Karl, thank you. presumably those capacitors are easy to find?
do you think the problem below could be a capacitor issue?
does anybody else had/ have a problem where VCA 2 is 'stuck on' some old notes...almost like a midi note is stuck on.i've tried the boot reset, all midi notes off (i'm quite convinced it's not midi related at this point), still there. always get a? tuning pass across the board, except one time where VCF failed (still sounded fine). i have not been able to duplicate that. doesn't seem to be isolated to one voice.? plays fine, sounds great (amazing), just have to leave vca2 at 0 which in most patches seems to make little difference.
also i've been using the stuck VCA2 to make easy drones which i quite like.
i searched for the problem everywhere and found someone else who had posted with it? and got a couple of responses... one saying
it was common on Jupiters (iirc) but no real solutions.
can it be tuned out with a good calibration? considering everything else works should i just leave it alone? could i be making it worse by using it like this?
thanks
s
--- On Thu, 2/26/09, Karl wrote:
From: Karl
Subject: [xpantastic] Re: xpander dac
To: xpantastic@yahoogro ups.com
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009, 4:43 AM
Hey Everyone, I have been helping folks fix their Xpanders / Matrix 12s for awhile here. I can tell you that by far the most failed component is electrolytic capacitors. A 2.2 uF @ 50V coupling capacitor is used through out the analog voice boards. This capacitor will fail and cause numerous voice problems from failed auto-tune to no sound. The next part would be the encoders. Usually a good cleaning fixes this. Next would be the VFD displays which are very hard to find. Steve Lanham is working on an upgrade for this one. see: There have been a few cases of VCO ( 3374 ) and VCF filter chips ( 3372 ) failing. Not impossible to find, but expensive. The DAC issue from Takis is the first I've seen of that part
failing. Many times things can be fixed by simply re seating ( pulling out and putting back in ) the chips. This is easy on the Xpander because every integrated circuit is in a socket. Finally, many problems are caused by cold solder joints. Simply re flowing the solder around the suspect part can fix this. I always recommend doing this first before replacing parts. I personally have fixed my matrix 12 (owned since 1987) several times This included cleaning the key contacts (typical of any keyboard) Several of the before mentioned capacitors. An analog switch chip which had it's pin folded under at the factory. And finally, several 74HC14 Schmidt trigger chips which debounce the encoders. Soon ( when time permits ) I would like to make a better list along with part numbers etc. that we could all use to trouble shoot these wonderful machines. I have been collecting capacitors/ battary
etc. to recap mine. BTW If you have any software issues/questions Tony C. is the man to talk to, and PeWe is the best expert on sound design / functionality ( on nearly any synth ) I have ever talked to. Actually, all the folks in this group are sharp characters ( they own xpanders :-) Best Regards Karl --- In xpantastic@yahoogro ups.com, Tony Cappellini wrote: > > Not really, but my gear is very under-used compared to most. > One voice is a little squirrly (occasionally) . Karl was nice enough to > point me to which cap typically goes bad that causes my symptoms. Karl > is very knowledgable about the Xpander. > > I've wanted to recap my voice circuits, but haven't found someone I > will trust my Xpander with. > > For a long time that voice failed auto-tune now & then, but I
coulnd't > hear anything bad. Now I can hear it ;-) > I bought a bunch of spare parts a long time ago when they were easy to find. > > > On 2/25/09, Simon G wrote: > > > > > > thanks for the info. if you don't mind me asking, has anything failed on your xpander? > > >
|
|
Re: Power switch flickering - problem/question
funny you should mention the vertical vs. horizontal placement of the synth...watched a video interview of the guy from goldfrapp (it's quite good i thought ) and he says old synths store better on their sides. he doesn't seem to know why but i'd imagine he's dealt with a lot of synth repair and synth repair folks over the years.
|
--- On Fri, 2/27/09, mattvrazo wrote:
From: mattvrazo
Subject: [xpantastic] Power switch flickering - problem/question
To: xpantastic@...
Date: Friday, February 27, 2009, 2:13 AM
I thought I better start a new post instead of 'jack the DAC thread.
I noticed recently that depending on the angle of my xpander i.e.
flat, versus angled on a rack where it normally sits, there is
flickering in the power switch light. There is more flickering the
more horizintal it is, and none at all when it is vertical.
I don't know if it's coincidence that it seemed the only trouble I
ever had with tuning (the filters, not the voices), was when it was
flat. All the filters passed, but the they were never completely when
self-oscillating (they are when it's more vertical). They kept being
out of tune on two voices in particular, so I thought it might have
been a filter chip issue, but then I put it back on the rack and had
no problem.
More than anything, I am worried the flickering is indication that
something is somehow "moving" around... something power supply related:/
I plan to have the whole thing pre-emptively serviced (recapped) soon
anyways, but does anyone have any clue what the flicker might be a
sign or, or the result of?
|
that was a lot of really great information, Karl, thank you. presumably those capacitors are easy to find?
do you think the problem below could be a capacitor issue?
does anybody else had/ have a problem where VCA 2 is 'stuck on' some old notes...almost like a midi note is stuck on.i've tried the boot reset, all midi notes off (i'm quite convinced it's not midi related at this point), still there. always get a? tuning pass across the board, except one time where VCF failed (still sounded fine). i have not been able to duplicate that. doesn't seem to be isolated to one voice.? plays fine, sounds great (amazing), just have to leave vca2 at 0 which in most patches seems to make little difference.
also i've been using the stuck VCA2 to make easy drones which i quite like.
i searched for the problem everywhere and found someone
else who had posted with it? and got a couple of responses...one saying it was common on Jupiters (iirc) but no real solutions.
can it be tuned out with a good calibration? considering everything else works should i just leave it alone? could i be making it worse by using it like this?
thanks
s
|
--- On Thu, 2/26/09, Karl <shire03@...> wrote:
From: Karl
Subject: [xpantastic] Re: xpander dac
To: xpantastic@...
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009, 4:43 AM
Hey Everyone,
I have been helping folks fix their Xpanders / Matrix 12s for awhile
here. I can tell you that by far the most failed component is
electrolytic capacitors. A 2.2 uF @ 50V coupling capacitor is used
through out the analog voice boards. This capacitor will fail and
cause numerous voice problems from failed auto-tune to no sound. The
next part would be the encoders. Usually a good cleaning fixes this.
Next would be the VFD displays which are very hard to find. Steve
Lanham is working on an upgrade for this one.
see:
There have been a few cases of VCO ( 3374 ) and VCF filter chips (
3372 ) failing. Not impossible to find, but expensive.
The DAC issue from Takis is the first I've seen of that part failing.
Many times things can be fixed by simply re seating ( pulling out and
putting back in ) the chips. This is easy on the Xpander because
every integrated circuit is in a socket. Finally, many problems are
caused by cold solder joints. Simply re flowing the solder around the
suspect part can fix this. I always recommend doing this first
before replacing parts.
I personally have fixed my matrix 12 (owned since 1987) several times
This included cleaning the key contacts (typical of any keyboard)
Several of the before mentioned capacitors. An analog switch chip
which had it's pin folded under at the factory. And finally, several
74HC14 Schmidt trigger chips which debounce the encoders.
Soon ( when time permits ) I would like to make a better list along
with part numbers etc. that we could all use to trouble shoot these
wonderful machines. I have been collecting capacitors/ battary etc.
to recap mine.
BTW If you have any software issues/questions Tony C. is the man to
talk to, and PeWe is the best expert on sound design / functionality
( on nearly any synth ) I have ever talked to. Actually, all the
folks in this group are sharp characters ( they own xpanders :-)
Best Regards
Karl
--- In xpantastic@yahoogro ups.com, Tony Cappellini
wrote:
>
> Not really, but my gear is very under-used compared to most.
> One voice is a little squirrly (occasionally) . Karl was nice enough
to
> point me to which cap typically goes bad that causes my symptoms.
Karl
> is very knowledgable about the Xpander.
>
> I've wanted to recap my voice circuits, but haven't found someone I
> will trust my Xpander with.
>
> For a long time that voice failed auto-tune now & then, but I
coulnd't
> hear anything bad. Now I can hear it ;-)
> I bought a bunch of spare parts a long time ago when they were easy
to find.
>
>
> On 2/25/09, Simon G wrote:
> >
> >
> > thanks for the info. if you don't mind me asking, has anything
failed on your xpander?
> >
>
|
Re: Xpander Vs. Rhodes Chroma
Just to weigh in on the opamp discussion, the TL072 isn¡¯t
that bad.? I had heard this same statement and when I did a complete overhaul
of my Memorymoog a few years back (which also uses TL072s). ?I replaced all of
them with high-end Burr-Brown audiophile opamps.? The results were not all that
remarkable.? It had a slightly (and I mean slightly) more open sound and clarity
but overall it was a minor improvement.? Considering the TL072 is like $.40 and
the Burr-Brown OPA2604 is like $4.50 each, I hardly think it is worth the
expense and effort.? Others obviously think it is, your opinion may vary.?
?
Also, a couple of other things to consider, do you really want
to change the sound of the instrument?? Even if the Burr-Brown is somehow ¡°better¡±,
it *will* sound different.? Also, keep in mind that the power
consumption for other precision opamps like the Burr-Brown are typically
greater.? While we are talking about a fairly small change, if you are changing
out a large number, it adds up.? Does your power supply have enough overhead to
handle the increased load?? The supply is designed to go with the instrument as
designed and a typically a little extra but not necessarily a bunch extra.
?
James R. Coplin ?
?
From:
xpantastic@... [mailto:xpantastic@...] On Behalf Of analogholic
Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2009 12:34 PM
To: xpantastic@...
Subject: [xpantastic] Re: Xpander Vs. Rhodes Chroma
?
I have to agree with James,
The Chroma sounds better than the Xpander/M12.
I was suprised when I got my Chroma a couple of months ago, and
compared it to the M12 in mono (as opposed to having the voices panned
as usually) The M12 sounded a bit "boxy" and lacked low-and-highend
compared to the Chroma.
The Chroma also has a more defined 3D sound.
Before any flame starts, I want to say that I love the M12 to death.
It can do stuff which no other synth can do, and I?m sure as hell
ain?t getting rid of mine. And of course every synth has "its" sound.
I?m talking about the actual soundquality here, where the difference
might be explained by:
1.Chroma has discrete oscillators
2.Xpander/Matrix-12 has inferior OP-amps in it?s signal chain.
As a matter of fact I?m in touch with a guy who changed the OP-amps in
his M12. This is what he said:
"The sound differences compared to the horrible TL072's that were in
there,are better low end and clearer top end. TL072's have the same
effect on sound that clock jitter has in digital systems; a folding of
the high frequency content into the mid bass band, in the form of ugly
grunge. Due to other design issues the Matrix-12 will never have the
huge sound of a modular Moog. There are too many compromises in the
design and CEM chips. But it can be made much better"
He also bypassed the pan-circuit which degrades the overall soundquality.
He is going to explain in detail what he did (and how) as soon as he
finds the time.
Xp/M12 is one of the greatest synths EVER, and IMHO it deserves to
sound as good as it can.
Of course YMMV
-- In xpantastic@...,
"James R. Coplin" wrote:
>
> I own both and I'd probably burn to death in a fire if I had to run
back in
> to the house and decide between one or the other. I actually think the
> Chroma sounds better. However, the Xpander wins hands down for
reliability.
> I have recently upgraded the power supply and main board for my
Chroma so it
> is stable now. As wonderful as the Xpander is to program, the Chroma is
> infuriating. However, the MIDI implementation on the Chroma
(through the
> new MIDI interface or the KromaKult) gives you CC controls over
everything
> as opposed to a couple on the Xpander.
>
>
>
> James R. Coplin
>
>
>
> From: xpantastic@...
[mailto:xpantastic@...]
On
> Behalf Of mattvrazo
> Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 9:18 PM
> To: xpantastic@...
> Subject: [xpantastic] Re: Xpander Vs. Rhodes Chroma
>
>
>
> --- In xpantastic@...
,
> vco3@ wrote:
> >
> > HI the rhodes arp chroma does not use 3374/3372's, the chroma
> polaris uses
> > these. The rhodes arp chroma is a very different voice compared to
the
> > xpander...hope this helps.. cya analog-jeff
> >
>
> ahhh... ok... how did I miss that?! (Doesn't help with the similar
> name!) Ok, I guess they have a discrete oscillator and different CEM
> chips for VCF/VCA.
>
> I guess that makes it a little less xpander related at this point, but
> if anyone has any comments, would still be interested to hear them.
>
|
Re: Xpander Vs. Rhodes Chroma
I have to agree with James, The Chroma sounds better than the Xpander/M12. I was suprised when I got my Chroma a couple of months ago, and compared it to the M12 in mono (as opposed to having the voices panned as usually) The M12 sounded a bit "boxy" and lacked low-and-highend compared to the Chroma. The Chroma also has a more defined 3D sound. Before any flame starts, I want to say that I love the M12 to death. It can do stuff which no other synth can do, and I?m sure as hell ain?t getting rid of mine. And of course every synth has "its" sound. I?m talking about the actual soundquality here, where the difference might be explained by: 1.Chroma has discrete oscillators 2.Xpander/Matrix-12 has inferior OP-amps in it?s signal chain. As a matter of fact I?m in touch with a guy who changed the OP-amps in his M12. This is what he said: "The sound differences compared to the horrible TL072's that were in there,are better low end and clearer top end. TL072's have the same effect on sound that clock jitter has in digital systems; a folding of the high frequency content into the mid bass band, in the form of ugly grunge. Due to other design issues the Matrix-12 will never have the huge sound of a modular Moog. There are too many compromises in the design and CEM chips. But it can be made much better" He also bypassed the pan-circuit which degrades the overall soundquality. He is going to explain in detail what he did (and how) as soon as he finds the time. Xp/M12 is one of the greatest synths EVER, and IMHO it deserves to sound as good as it can. Of course YMMV -- In xpantastic@..., "James R. Coplin" <james@...> wrote:
I own both and I'd probably burn to death in a fire if I had to run
back in to the house and decide between one or the other. I actually think the
Chroma sounds better. However, the Xpander wins hands down for reliability. I have recently upgraded the power supply and main board for my Chroma so it is stable now. As wonderful as the Xpander is to program, the Chroma is
infuriating. However, the MIDI implementation on the Chroma (through the new MIDI interface or the KromaKult) gives you CC controls over everything as opposed to a couple on the Xpander.
James R. Coplin
From: xpantastic@... [mailto:xpantastic@...] On
Behalf Of mattvrazo
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 9:18 PM
To: xpantastic@...
Subject: [xpantastic] Re: Xpander Vs. Rhodes Chroma
--- In xpantastic@... <mailto:xpantastic%40yahoogroups.com> , vco3@ wrote:
HI the rhodes arp chroma does not use 3374/3372's, the chroma
polaris uses
these. The rhodes arp chroma is a very different voice compared to the xpander...hope this helps.. cya analog-jeff
ahhh... ok... how did I miss that?! (Doesn't help with the similar
name!) Ok, I guess they have a discrete oscillator and different CEM
chips for VCF/VCA.
I guess that makes it a little less xpander related at this point, but
if anyone has any comments, would still be interested to hear them.
|
Okay, I figured it out.? I knew it was something stupid.
I guess that Lever 2 is global and so only responds on the base midi channel which you must set in the master page.?
Mine was set on 1, but I use my Xpander on 12-16.? Thanks for your help.
Thanks,
Chase
|
--- On Fri, 2/27/09, Karl wrote: From: Karl
Subject: [xpantastic] Re: Lever 2 Not Working
To: xpantastic@...
Date: Friday, February 27, 2009, 10:39 PM
Hi Chase,
I agree it dosen't seem that this is a hardware problem. All of this
is implemented in software (in the Xpander).
Here is another posibility.
In the master page >> misc
>> push page two >> there is a
page to
set the polarity or on/off state of the levers,pedals
and bender.
- Karl
--- In xpantastic@..., Chase Smith wrote:
>
> Unfortunately, I have checked that page and tried to map the mod
wheel to lever 2 and I got nothing.? Then when I mapped modwheel (CC
1) to pedal 1, everything was fine.? Then I tried it again with some
other controller (from a Virus knob) and I had the same problem.
>
> I haven't the slightest idea of how this could be a hardware
problem with the other lever and etc working so maybe I'm just
screwing something up.
>
> Thanks,
> Chase
>
> --- On Thu, 2/26/09, Karl wrote:
> From: Karl
> Subject: [xpantastic] Re: Lever 2 Not Working
> To: xpantastic@...
> Date: Thursday,
February 26, 2009, 11:27 PM
>
> Hi Chase,
> Look
> in the master page>> MIDI >>CTRLS
> The Xpander allows you to change the midi cc number for levers,
> pedels and bender. If this is set to the wrong midi CC number,
> the data will not be recognized.
>
> Good Luck
>
> -Karl
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In xpantastic@..., Chase Smith wrote:
> >
> > Title says it all.? I always thought that for some reason mod
wheel
> data was being dropped somewhere along the way to the Xpander, but
> then I realized that I can map it to a pedal and it works fine.?
For
> some reason Lever 2 doesn't seem to work, in that, it will not
> modulate anything.
> >
> > I'm hoping that there is a software setting that I am not
seeing.?
> >
> > Has anyone heard of this happening before?? Any solutions?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> Chase
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
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|
Re: Power switch flickering - problem/question
Hi Matt,
I would agree with Envia. The flickering of the neon bulb in the power
switch has naught to do with any other hardware problems. The bulb is
connected to the line voltage right at the switch and is isolated from
the rest of the circuitry by the power supply transformer.
However, if when you physically position the xpander differently and
you have tuning problems, this points to something loose in the
circuitry. You might try opening it up and pushing all the chips down,
and/or any connectors feeding to the voice boards. Statistically,
tuning problems usually point to failed caps or cold solder joints.
Also, Envia's cautions about static electricity is very good advice.
The humidity is so high here in St. Louis I don't
usually have problems with this.
- Karl
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In xpantastic@..., "mattvrazo" <vrazomatt@...> wrote:
--- In xpantastic@..., "envia94" <akva@> wrote:
I have had a similar flickering light on my fridge for year. I think
it is not serious in case of an
Xpander either. That's probably a property of the bulb itself due to some manufacturing
tolerances. Although stable LEDs were invented, they were not used in Xpanders, if I'm not
wrong:
Ok, that's good to know... it's just odd that it seemed correlated
with how well the filters tuned.. It had me hesitating about even
turning it on, but maybe that's been overcautious.
|
Hi Chase, I agree it dosen't seem that this is a hardware problem. All of this is implemented in software (in the Xpander). Here is another posibility. In the master page >> misc >> push page two >> there is a page to set the polarity or on/off state of the levers,pedals and bender. - Karl --- In xpantastic@..., Chase Smith <plus_321@...> wrote:
Unfortunately, I have checked that page and tried to map the mod
wheel to lever 2 and I got nothing.? Then when I mapped modwheel (CC 1) to pedal 1, everything was fine.? Then I tried it again with some other controller (from a Virus knob) and I had the same problem.
I haven't the slightest idea of how this could be a hardware
problem with the other lever and etc working so maybe I'm just screwing something up.
Thanks,
Chase
--- On Thu, 2/26/09, Karl <shire03@...> wrote:
From: Karl <shire03@...>
Subject: [xpantastic] Re: Lever 2 Not Working
To: xpantastic@...
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009, 11:27 PM
Hi Chase,
Look
in the master page>> MIDI >>CTRLS
The Xpander allows you to change the midi cc number for levers,
pedels and bender. If this is set to the wrong midi CC number,
the data will not be recognized.
Good Luck
-Karl
--- In xpantastic@..., Chase Smith <plus_321@> wrote:
Title says it all.? I always thought that for some reason mod
wheel data was being dropped somewhere along the way to the Xpander, but
then I realized that I can map it to a pedal and it works fine.? For some reason Lever 2 doesn't seem to work, in that, it will not
modulate anything.
I'm hoping that there is a software setting that I am not
seeing.?
Has anyone heard of this happening before?? Any solutions?
Thanks,
Chase
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
|
Re: Xpander Vs. Rhodes Chroma
Thanks! Good to know. This one has the CC+, so I imagine I would be doing more MIDI control. I should have the chance to have them side by side eventually, so I'll be able to have a fair judgement. Only then will I know if I can depart with the Xpander! --- In xpantastic@..., "James R. Coplin" <james@...> wrote:
I own both and I'd probably burn to death in a fire if I had to run
back in to the house and decide between one or the other. I actually think the
Chroma sounds better. However, the Xpander wins hands down for reliability. I have recently upgraded the power supply and main board for my Chroma so it is stable now. As wonderful as the Xpander is to program, the Chroma is
infuriating. However, the MIDI implementation on the Chroma (through the new MIDI interface or the KromaKult) gives you CC controls over everything as opposed to a couple on the Xpander.
James R. Coplin
From: xpantastic@... [mailto:xpantastic@...] On
Behalf Of mattvrazo
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 9:18 PM
To: xpantastic@...
Subject: [xpantastic] Re: Xpander Vs. Rhodes Chroma
--- In xpantastic@... <mailto:xpantastic%40yahoogroups.com> , vco3@ wrote:
HI the rhodes arp chroma does not use 3374/3372's, the chroma
polaris uses
these. The rhodes arp chroma is a very different voice compared to the xpander...hope this helps.. cya analog-jeff
ahhh... ok... how did I miss that?! (Doesn't help with the similar
name!) Ok, I guess they have a discrete oscillator and different CEM
chips for VCF/VCA.
I guess that makes it a little less xpander related at this point, but
if anyone has any comments, would still be interested to hear them.
|
Re: Power switch flickering - problem/question
--- In xpantastic@..., "envia94" <akva@...> wrote:
I have had a similar flickering light on my fridge for year. I think
it is not serious in case of an Xpander either. That's probably a property of the bulb itself due to some manufacturing tolerances. Although stable LEDs were invented, they were not used in Xpanders, if I'm not wrong:
Ok, that's good to know... it's just odd that it seemed correlated with how well the filters tuned.. It had me hesitating about even turning it on, but maybe that's been overcautious.
|
Re: Power switch flickering - problem/question
I have had a similar flickering light on my fridge for year. I think it is not serious in case of an
Xpander either. That's probably a property of the bulb itself due to some manufacturing
tolerances. Although stable LEDs were invented, they were not used in Xpanders, if I'm not
wrong:
|
Unfortunately, I have checked that page and tried to map the mod wheel to lever 2 and I got nothing.? Then when I mapped modwheel (CC 1) to pedal 1, everything was fine.? Then I tried it again with some other controller (from a Virus knob) and I had the same problem.
I haven't the slightest idea of how this could be a hardware problem with the other lever and etc working so maybe I'm just screwing something up.
Thanks,
Chase
|
--- On Thu, 2/26/09, Karl wrote: From: Karl
Subject: [xpantastic] Re: Lever 2 Not Working
To: xpantastic@...
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009, 11:27 PM
Hi Chase,
Look
in
the master page>> MIDI >>CTRLS
The Xpander allows you to change the midi cc number for levers,
pedels and bender. If this is set to the wrong midi CC number,
the data will not be recognized.
Good Luck
-Karl
--- In xpantastic@..., Chase Smith wrote:
>
> Title says it all.? I always thought that for some reason mod wheel
data was being dropped somewhere along the way to the Xpander, but
then I realized that I can map it to a pedal and it works fine.? For
some reason Lever 2 doesn't seem to work, in that, it will not
modulate anything.
>
> I'm hoping that there is a software setting that I am not seeing.?
>
> Has anyone heard of this happening before?? Any solutions?
>
> Thanks,
>
Chase
>
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Re: Xpander Vs. Rhodes Chroma
a bit OT, but still interesting ... I only played one briefly some time ago but am now potentially being
offered one for sale or, gasp, in exchange for my xpander! So I am
wondering if anyone's used both and able to comment? pluses/minuses? This is probably the best Chroma resource out there.
|
Re: Xpander Vs. Rhodes Chroma
On 2/26/09, mattvrazo <vrazomatt@...> wrote:
ahhh... ok... how did I miss that?! (Doesn't help with the similar
name!)
As they say in literature "A Rhodes by any other name is still a Rhodes" ;-)
|
Hi Chase, Look in the master page>> MIDI >>CTRLS The Xpander allows you to change the midi cc number for levers, pedels and bender. If this is set to the wrong midi CC number, the data will not be recognized. Good Luck -Karl --- In xpantastic@..., Chase Smith <plus_321@...> wrote:
Title says it all.? I always thought that for some reason mod wheel
data was being dropped somewhere along the way to the Xpander, but then I realized that I can map it to a pedal and it works fine.? For some reason Lever 2 doesn't seem to work, in that, it will not modulate anything.
I'm hoping that there is a software setting that I am not seeing.?
Has anyone heard of this happening before?? Any solutions?
Thanks,
Chase
|
Title says it all.? I always thought that for some reason mod wheel data was being dropped somewhere along the way to the Xpander, but then I realized that I can map it to a pedal and it works fine.? For some reason Lever 2 doesn't seem to work, in that, it will not modulate anything.
I'm hoping that there is a software setting that I am not seeing.?
Has anyone heard of this happening before?? Any solutions?
Thanks,
Chase
|
|
Re: Xpander Vs. Rhodes Chroma
I own both and I¡¯d probably burn to death in a fire if I had to
run back in to the house and decide between one or the other.? I actually think
the Chroma sounds better.? However, the Xpander wins hands down for
reliability.? I have recently upgraded the power supply and main board for my
Chroma so it is stable now.? As wonderful as the Xpander is to program, the
Chroma is infuriating.? However, the MIDI implementation on the Chroma (through
the new MIDI interface or the KromaKult) gives you CC controls over everything
as opposed to a couple on the Xpander.
?
James R. Coplin
?
From:
xpantastic@... [mailto:xpantastic@...] On Behalf Of mattvrazo
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 9:18 PM
To: xpantastic@...
Subject: [xpantastic] Re: Xpander Vs. Rhodes Chroma
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In xpantastic@...,
vco3@... wrote:
>
> HI the rhodes arp chroma does not use 3374/3372's, the chroma
polaris uses
> these. The rhodes arp chroma is a very different voice compared to the
> xpander...hope this helps.. cya analog-jeff
>
ahhh... ok... how did I miss that?! (Doesn't help with the similar
name!) Ok, I guess they have a discrete oscillator and different CEM
chips for VCF/VCA.
I guess that makes it a little less xpander related at this point, but
if anyone has any comments, would still be interested to hear them.
|
