First: diagnosis of the fault. With test tools such as an Oscilloscope, transistor tester, general AmpVoltOhm and logic analyser, most faults can be identified. Sometimes it can be hard to source replacement parts, particularly when they are mechanical or electronic components designed for a specific machine that ceased production perhaps 30 years ago!
Electronics designed in the 1970’s and 1980’s are typically repairable where components can be obtained, newer equipment, especially items with surface mount micro components sometimes can only be repaired if replacement circuit boards are available.
Power components and basic mechanical problems are more straight forward. Cheaper items such as effects sometimes are impossible to repair when build quality is poor or units are sealed.
An anti-static workshop area great care with beloved and sometimes very valuable items is essential. I’m happy to discuss or review any item and likelihood of success, free of charge, within reason!
A selection of analogue synthesizers - got one of these?
Polyphonic:
Akai: AX60, AX73, AX80, VX600, VX90
ARP: Odyssey 1, Omni Mk 1, Quadra, Quartet, Solina String Ensemble, Solina String Synthesizer
BOSS: DR-110 Dr. Rhythm, DR-55 Dr. Rhythm
Buchla: 400 Series, 700 Series, Touché
Casio: CT-101, CT-401, HZ-600,
Cheetah: MS-6, Con Brio, Con Brio ADS 200
Crumar: Bit 01, Bit 99, Bit One, DS-2, Multiman-S, Performer, Stratus
E-mu: Audity
Electronic Music Studios (EMS): Polysynthi
Elka: EK-22, Synthex,
EML: ElectroComp 100, ElectroComp 101, Poly-Box
Ensoniq: ESQ-1
Farfisa: Soundmaker
Formanta: Polivoks
Gleeman: Pentaphonic
Kawai: SX-210, SX-240
Korg: 900PS Preset Synthesizer, Delta, DSS-1, DW-6000, DW-8000, KPR-77, Lambda ES50, Maxi-Korg 800DV, MiniPops 35 (MP-35), Mono/Poly, Poly-61, Poly-800, Polyphonic Ensemble P, Polyphonic Ensemble S, PolySix, PS-3100, PS-3200, PS-3300, Rhythm 55 (KR-55), Trident, VC-10 Vocoder,
Logan / Hohner: String Melody II
Moog: Memorymoog, Opus-3, Polymoog 203a, Sonic Six
Oberheim: Eight Voice, Four Voice, Matrix 1000, Matrix 12, Matrix 6R, OB-8, OB-SX, OB-X, OB-Xa, Two Voice, Xpander
Octave: The Cat, Plateau, Plateau Voyetra 8
Powertran: Transendent DPX
PPG: Realizer
Rhodes: Chroma, Chroma Polaris
Roland: Alpha Juno 2, Alpha Juno-1, CMU-800, CR-68, CR-78, CR-8000, GR-700, HS-60, Juno-106, Juno-6, Juno-60, Jupiter-4, Jupiter-6, Jupiter-8, JX-10, JX-3P, JX-8P, MKS-10, MKS-30, MKS-50, MKS-7, MKS-70, MKS-80, Rhythm 330, RS-09, RS-101, RS-202 Strings, RS-505 Paraphonic, SH-7, SVC-350 Vocoder, TR-606, TR-66, TR-808, TR-909
Sequential Circuits: DrumTraks, Fugue, Max, MultiTrak, Prelude, Prophet 10, Prophet 5, Prophet 600, Prophet T8, Six-Trak, Split-8
Siel: Cruise, DK600, DK70, DK700, DK80, Opera 6,Orchestra
SoundMaster: Memory Rhythm SR-88, Stix ST-305
Teisco: SX-240, SX-400, Synthesizer 110F
Waldorf: Microwave
Yamaha: CS-40m, CS-50, CS-60, CS-70m, CS-80, GX-1, SK20, SS30
Monophonic:
Aries: 300 Music System
ARP: 2500, 2600, Avatar, Axxe, Explorer I, Little Brother, Pro-Soloist, Pro/DGX, Solus
BOSS: HC-2 Hand Clapper, PC-2 Percussion Synthesizer
Buchla: 200 Series
Crumar: Spirit
Davoli: Davolisint
E-mu: Modular Systems
EKO: EKOsynth P15,
Electro Harmonix: Mini-Synthesizer
Electronic Dream Plant (EDP): Gnat, Wasp,
Electronic Music Studios (EMS): Synthi A
Elka: Soloist 505
EML ElectroComp: 400/401, 500, SynKey
FBT Electronica: Synther-2000
Hammond: 102200
Jen Electronics: SX-1000 Synthetone, SX-2000 Synthetone
Korg: 770, M500 Micro-Preset, MiniKorg-700, MS-10, MS-20, MS-50, SB-100 Synthe-Bass, Sigma, X-911
Moog: Liberation, Micromoog, Minimoog, Minitmoog, Multimoog, Prodigy, Rogue, Satellite, Source, Taurus I, Taurus II, Vocoder
Oberheim: OB-1, SEM
Octave: The Kitten
Oxford Synthesiser Company: OSCar
PAiA: Proteus 1
Powertran: Transcendent 2000
Realistic: Concertmate MG-1
Roland: CMU-810, GR-500, MC-202, ProMars MRS-2, Saturn 09, SH-09, SH-1, SH-1000, SH-101, SH-2, SH-2000, SH-3a, SH-5, System 100, System 100m, System 700, TB-303
RSF: Kobol Expander, Modular Model 11
Sequential Circuits: Pro One
Serge: Modular
Siel: Mono
Steiner-Parker: Minicon, Synthacon, SynthaSystem
Studio Electronics: Midimoog
Synton: Syrinx
Teisco: S100P, Synthesizer 110F, 100F
Triadex: Muse
Vermona: Synthesizer
Wersi: Bass Synthesizer
Wurlitzer: Orbit III
Yamaha: CS-10, CS-15, CS-15D, CS-20m, CS-30, CS-5, CS01, ED10, SY-1, SY20
Welson: Syntex