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.
|
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.
|
Xpander Vs. Rhodes Chroma
Reading up about the Chroma, I was surprised to find it uses 3372s and
3374s...
The chroma allows for serial dual filtering which is intriguing, and
has a variety of filter modes, and also seems to do ok in the way of
modulation. It also seems to have snappier envs from the demos I've
heard (tho I realize they are still software generated).
But I also get the impression that its VCOs are ultra-stable due to
two forms of auto-tuning... I don't think I would want anything more
stable than what the xpander offers now... (or is this a moot point
given they both use the same chips?)
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?
|
Power switch flickering - problem/question
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?
|
You'll find information on rotary encoders a.o. at
Use the internal Search to find info about push buttons etc.
|
Re: Xpander Vs. Rhodes Chroma
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
|
Absolutely!
And big appology for spelling your surname wrong if your reading this
Steve.. doh! (Lenham not Lenman)
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Yep, I?ve seen the offer @ebay and decided not to buy ?em. Too expensive
!
I hope, Steve comes up w/ his update board soon,- it?s absolutely the
better investment for the future.
blchrr@... schrieb:
Hello all,
I guess everyone has seen the nos xpander VFDs on ebay:
_W0
<
S_W0>
QQitemZ170303550830QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Pro_Audio_Sy
nth
esisers_CV?hash=item170303550830&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688
%7C
66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
Handy part to have around as a spare part.
Still.. personally i think if your considering paying over ?100 (current
price is ?100) for *1* spare VFD for your Xpander, then its well worth
looking at the new replacement board that steve lenman is offering:
<>
My Xpander was the prototype for this board replacement, i asked steve to
build it for me.
It works really great. The replacement board uses VFDs that are still in
production it looks and works the same. Its really good, really please
with
it.
I had my Xpander fully recapped and its been great.. wish i could say the
same about the few other analogue synths that i have now which seem to
self
destruct on a regular basis :(
Cheers,
Rob.
|
Yep, I?ve seen the offer @ebay and decided not to buy ?em. Too
expensive !
I hope, Steve comes up w/ his update board soon,- it?s absolutely the
better investment for the future.
blchrr@... schrieb:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hello all,
I guess everyone has seen the nos xpander VFDs on ebay:
QQitemZ170303550830QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Pro_Audio_Synth
esisers_CV?hash=item170303550830&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688%7C
66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
Handy part to have around as a spare part.
Still.. personally i think if your considering paying over ?100
(current
price is ?100) for *1* spare VFD for your Xpander, then its well worth
looking at the new replacement board that steve lenman is offering:
My Xpander was the prototype for this board replacement, i asked steve
to
build it for me.
It works really great. The replacement board uses VFDs that are still
in
production it looks and works the same. Its really good, really please
with
it.
I had my Xpander fully recapped and its been great.. wish i could say
the
same about the few other analogue synths that i have now which seem to
self
destruct on a regular basis :(
Cheers,
Rob.
|
Hi Karl !
Great post and good advice.
Thx for compliments too.
After 25 years using the Xpander, my experience is, it?s one of the
most reliable machines I ever owned.
The rotarys, some of the switches and the numeric keypad ( especially
button #6) are the parts which become unreliable now but I hope it?s
only because of dust or maybe because I didn?t use the switches and
rotarys too much in the times I used software to manage/edit the
Xpanders patches .
In general: Are there any resources/parts numbers for the switches,
keypads switches ?
My music DAW died two weeks ago and I started to program my Xpander w/
it?s front panel controls again which was real fun, but I accidently
overwrote patches while editing others by using button No.#6 of the
keypad during storage,- and I forgot which ones I have overwritten
accidently.
I also need a new battery now and cannot find one actually.
There was a dealer at ebay which I bookmarked for the battery, but now
it?s gone unfortunally.
Tuning page:
I press "tune all",- autotune works and sometimes immediatedly shows
"fail" on voice #1
I press "tune all" again, and the tuning procedure works as it should
and all voices show "pass" on oscillators, filters, resonance, VCAs and
PW.
Is it a cap or is is it the switch ?
Xpander is in perfect tune after using autotune and it?s also well in
tune if I don?t use autotune at all b.t.w.
Some time ago, you?ve sent me a PDF for a rotary replacement which
possibly will work,- I lost ist because of a MFT error of one of my
ext. USB2 HDs.
Can you please mail me this PDF again ?
thx in advance
PeWe
P.S.:
For all the others here,- don?t panic. Dead OSCs, displays, processors
and DACs are very rare cases of failure.
I had ONE CEM multimode filter chip failure in 25 years and these are
always available at technology transplant (ebay) and these aren?t
expensive.
I?ve had no other failure w/ my Xpander in 25years except these
mentioned above.
All my vintage machines, Moog, Roland, Yammies and Obies are much
better built devices compared to what you can buy today new and they
sound excellent up today.
Karl schrieb:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
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
.
|
Thanks for the information about Dave!
CEM3372's are still easy to find, but CEM3374's are extremely rare. I too have got plenty of
the former, but only a few of the latter.
I recently did let all those capasitors replaced in my M12 and now it works like a (probably
fragile) dream.
|
I think Dave dave (synthchips) sold all his stock a while back.
Senso is still around.
I have a couple of CEM 3374, 3372 and spare dacs, so touch would should be ok! The Xpander is not a synth i worry about.. my cs80 is a frigging nightmare!
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Switching on and off has been noticed causing many of the break outs of electronic components. I don't know exactly, but It may be the voltage and current spikes that happen then, which break the components. You can hear this from your loadspeakers. For this reason some studios keep their equipment on day and night. But, I think that in case of Xpander this might not be a good idea, because of the displays. Luckily there is now a replacement available as told above, but if I were you, I would absolutely not trade the display unless I had a couple of spare displays. CEM3374 is also very difficult to find component, but not nearly as much as the display. For these reasons some people like myself have even bought xtra xpanders for spare parts. Very good sources for all synth components are especially the following:
Is anybody aware, why the latter is not working currently? I also tried to reach Dave there by email without success. Is he alright? Tiitu
|
Switching on and off has been noticed causing many of the break outs of electronic
components. I don't know exactly, but It may be the voltage and current spikes that
happen then, which break the components. You can hear this from your loadspeakers. For
this reason some studios keep their equipment on day and night. But, I think that in case
of Xpander this might not be a good idea, because of the displays. Luckily there is now a
replacement available as told above, but if I were you, I would absolutely not trade the
display unless I had a couple of spare displays. CEM3374 is also very difficult to find
component, but not nearly as much as the display. For these reasons some people like
myself have even bought xtra xpanders for spare parts.
Very good sources for all synth components are especially the following:
Is anybody aware, why the latter is not working currently? I also tried to reach Dave there
by email without success. Is he alright?
Tiitu
|
Hello all,
I guess everyone has seen the nos xpander VFDs on ebay:
QQitemZ170303550830QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Pro_Audio_Synth
esisers_CV?hash=item170303550830&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688%7C
66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
Handy part to have around as a spare part.
Still.. personally i think if your considering paying over ?100 (current
price is ?100) for *1* spare VFD for your Xpander, then its well worth
looking at the new replacement board that steve lenman is offering:
My Xpander was the prototype for this board replacement, i asked steve to
build it for me.
It works really great. The replacement board uses VFDs that are still in
production it looks and works the same. Its really good, really please with
it.
I had my Xpander fully recapped and its been great.. wish i could say the
same about the few other analogue synths that i have now which seem to self
destruct on a regular basis :(
Cheers,
Rob.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
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@..., 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?
|
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@..., 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?
|
