Ensoniq troubleshooting

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brap2k
  • Start date Start date
B

Brap2k

New member
I have just recently bought an ensoniq SQ-80 on ebay... when I bought it I knew there was something wrong with it but they wouldn't specify, but I got a good deal on it. I got it home yesterday. it work perfectly accept the sound is extremely quiet. Can anyone help me troubleshoot this. I believe it has something to do with either the volume control slider, the amp, or the fuse....

any ideas?
I love this synth already and I want to start using it ASAP. but its hard when you cant hear anything out of it... before I take it in to a repair shop I thought I would ask around if anyone had any ideas of whats wrong with it.
 
ensoniq's are always kinda hard to work on because they never released schemos... they just asked you to check the voltages at a half dozen points and the buy the appropriate board.... that said... how much experience do you have with this kinda thing???? if you have an O'scope start at the ouput and trace back till you find the signal then try replacing things directly after you find it... or start at the volume controll ...
 
I have no experience with any kind of repairs. last time I tried to sodder a circuit board I totally fried it.... so you all think its the sound board. is that something easy or cheep to fix? I'm taking it in tomorrow. I hope its nothing like that.
 
As much as I love ensoniq....and I've had a few, they are problematic at best.....scrap the thing and buy a korg , roland or yamaha.....all road tough and won't frag themselves in the middle of a gig somewhere. Just my 2 cents:D
 
I've owned several Ensoniqs, and still have a ZR76...I was just wondering if you have went into the edit and checked the volume control to make sure it is set on 127?
 
Lectric_Lab said:
I've owned several Ensoniqs, and still have a ZR76...I was just wondering if you have went into the edit and checked the volume control to make sure it is set on 127?
Click to expand...

thats not a bad idea... the previous owner may have been using it in a midi rig which defaults to 0...
 
Try signing up with this Ensoniq SQ-80 users group. There are lots of knowledgable people there and the guy who runs it-Rainer-has lots of schematics of the circuit boards and an archive of questions that have been asked and answered.
He also has user manuals that you can download, and I believe, a service manual as well.
Actually there is a final volume controlled by DCA4-located next to the program cartridge on the far right of the controls--make sure it is set to MOD ENV4 63 so mainly be sure the value is set to 63:D

https://mail.lrr.in.tum.de/mailman/listinfo/sq80
 
If you haven't found them yet, I've got schematics for this gem and a few great links if you haven't googled all day at work looking for info like I have. :)

There's also a VSTi now that sounds fantastic. :D
 
bedroom_wanker said:
If you haven't found them yet, I've got schematics for this gem and a few great links if you haven't googled all day at work looking for info like I have. :)

There's also a VSTi now that sounds fantastic. :D
Click to expand...


Sounds cool-I'd love for my SQ-80 sounds to live on in case it would kick off some day-and I hope that day doesn't come........:eek:
 
Anfontan said:
Sounds cool-I'd love for my SQ-80 sounds to live on in case it would kick off some day-and I hope that day doesn't come........:eek:
Click to expand...
Clearly one of the best kept secrets in synths. I thinks the 8-bit + analog filter action is truly the best of both worlds. The VSTi sounds great and gives you quick and easy access to the multitude of ESQ-1 and SQ-80 sound banks out there. Its not quite as intuitive as having the real thing in front of you, and he probably could have used the advantages of the modern GUI to make it an incredibly powerful softsynth by expanding its interace, but as it is its very faithful to the original and sounds amazing.
 
Ensoniq Troubleshooting

My SQ-80 had the same problem - extremely quiet. I solved it by doing a factory-reset. This is done by holding the record button and pressing the first soft button (upper left of display) and confirming at the prompt. This will restore all the factory presets.

hope this helps
 
ZR76 with A below middle C which plays loud no matter how soft the touch.

I already looked at the contacts at they are fine.

Howard
 
ok... well we'll assume that your right.... but most of the time it is dirty swtches/contact board.... rulling that out bout the only thing it can be is a cracked trace/solderjoint... the way it works is it setup in a big matrix... some sending voltage.. the other trying to send it back... now eaach note has two switches.. the first starts a clock.. the second stops it... the diff is your velocity data.... since you have one that's full tilt boogie it's gotta be on the first of the two.. it doesnt get it's signal the second one hits and it looks like infinitly hard...
 
MR-76 replacing key

I have an Ensoniq MR-76 that I want to sell but first I have to replace a broken key. I have a replacement and a replacement return spring, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to get the thing apart enough to switch the broken key out! Can't find a service manual anywhere online (free or to buy). I took the back off but can't see any way to get at the keys through there so I put the back back on. There are only two visible screws on the top---actually, nuts with holes in the center and the holes look like they're threaded.

Can anyone help? Thanks...
 
done

Never mind, found a page at ugoaudio and now it's done. Hope the whole thing still works.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top