[sdiy] U-20 questions

[Paul D Brooks]

Just now starting to read this thread, but one thing
any U-20 owner with keyboard problems needs to know...
is that the rubber (actually, plastic) contacts may or
may not be the problem.

The lower part of the contacts, that include the long
circuit traces, and are encase in plastic, screwed to
the keybed frame eventually have trouble themselves.

If you can move around the rubbery key contact strips,
and still have problems with the same keys, then send
it to a shop for proper repairs, or check the diodes /
key scanning matrix... or suspect the lower contact
strips themselves.  

i've simply seen this too many times not to mention
it.  Sorry if it's already been discussed.  Of course,
all the standard key contact issues should be tried
first... clean with isopropyl, etc... but further
symptoms may indicate the problems i mentioned.


-paul






--- Tony Kalomiris <tonyk38 at sympatico.ca> wrote:

> Hi Tim,
> 
> I have a U-20 here with 'dead' keys problem too,
> except it doesn't respond 
> even over MIDI.
> Only some notes in each octave (I forget which)
> work.I removed every key, 
> spring - pain in the arse !
> I washed the keys, but didn't touch the carbon pads.
> 
> I read here
> http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/9276/
> that "it's 
> normal" to get a bum unit with the busted keyboard
> problem . . . hmm.
> 
> My version is 1.03.
> 
> Also have you had success 'initialising' the machine
> ? I was about to do it 
> (after backing up data), but wasn't sure I'd lose
> the iRAM sounds.
> 
> Anyway good luck with it, I sorta gave up on this
> one for now.
> 
> Oh, have you tried CircuitWorks Rubber Keypad Repair
> Kit ? (#CW2605)
> 
> I've never tried it myself.Anybody else ?
> 
> Tony
> 
> 
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> 
> 
> At 07:30 PM 6/22/2005 -0700, Tim Parkhurst wrote:
> 
> >Hi All,
> >
> >I love the sounds on my Roland U-20 but it has two
> problems:
> >
> >1) Funky key contacts. Many keys don't sound, or
> trigger a dozen times when
> >you hit the key once (a really neat effect if you
> could turn it on and off).
> >I pulled the rubber contact strips and used
> conductive ink to "re-plate" the
> >contact pattern about two years ago. This helped a
> little, but now the
> >problem is as bad as it ever was. Is there a better
> way to refurbish the
> >contacts, or do I just replace the contact strips?
> And where do I get
> >replacement contact strips? I'm just using the U-20
> as a sound module right
> >now, and this is a reasonable workaround, but the
> machine has a nice
> >keyboard and I'd probably use it as my master
> controller if the darn thing
> >worked properly.
> >
> >2) A Two line LCD and four buttons do NOT make a
> user interface!!! Are there
> >any editor/librarians for the U-20 out there? I
> know Unisyn has a U-20
> >'module' but I just don't have the $200 or so right
> now to spare. Any other
> >choices?
> >
> >Thanks as always!
> >
> >
> >Tim (more than two problems) Servo
> >
> >"Imagination is more important than knowledge." -
> Albert Einstein
> >
> >
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