Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

it also helps if you go in and clean the contact area on the keys and the 
circuit board... yes, every little one... rubbing alcohol is adequate for 
this.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "jeancharles.printz" <jeancharles.printz@...>
To: <Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 12:15 PM
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: VFX noob seeks advice


> Hi
>
> I bought my VFX/SD recently for 200 euros. The synth was in perfect 
> condition, but I had to repair the famous AT malfunction, calibration 
> error ... The guitarist of my band soldered the two boards together and 
> the synth is now ok. The poly AT works normally. I have to say that the 
> synth was in real perfect condition, bought from the first owner, not used 
> since 1990. I wouldn't dare any comparison with the CS80. I'm a Yamaha fan 
> (owned the DX7 I and II, SY77 and 99). They are very sturdy and reliable.
> I understand and feel like you : I couldn't bear to use an instrument that 
> doesn't work normally.
> When I opened the VFX to repair it, I noticed a large space between the 
> keys and the boards. It seems that you have to play strongly to activate 
> the AT, making contact close enough.
>
>
> --- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "Scott" <gl2tgr@...> wrote:
>>
>> Steve, that is *awesomely* useful information.
>>
>> The CS80 is my "impossible dream" synth, because I know that I'll never 
>> be able to save and bring myself to spend the money to get one. But I've 
>> never touched one. I'm a big Eddie Jobson fan as well, more CS80 madness!
>>
>> Frankly the Poly-AT was the main reason I wanted the VFX. My expectations 
>> (re: aftertouch) are modest - I wouldn't expect a used Ensoniq to come 
>> close to the feel/performance of a high-end unit like a CS80 or a VAX77. 
>> But just the fact that it has the feature *at*all* was enough.
>>
>> Your info re: the S2 or S3 is great.
>>
>> Thanks! Scott
>>
>> --- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "steve" <sataraszewski@> wrote:
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Scott,
>> >
>> > It seems to me that the item is not in in "PERFECT OPERATING 
>> > CONDITION", as you have noted. If it were me, I would definitely 
>> > contact the seller and let him/her know of the situation and either 
>> > suggest that the seller either give you 1) a partial refund to pay for 
>> > the repair or 2) be prepared to receive the unit back.
>> >
>> > I had purchased two VFX-SDs from ebay dealers and neither of the 
>> > machines functioned as described. However, I contacted the sellers and 
>> > rationally explained the problems and was compensated to my 
>> > satisfaction. I was specifically looking for poly-aftertouch 
>> > capabilities when I bought the VFX-SDs to replicate the hardware feel 
>> > of my old yamaha CS80 when using my Arturia CS80V software. That was a 
>> > pipe dream :)  Although both of the VFXs do have functioning poly-AT, 
>> > the feel is a bit off for me in that I do seem to have to press rather 
>> > firmly to engage the poly-AT and then, the poly-AT "curve" is anything 
>> > but linear. May I suggest that, if you are looking for something a bit 
>> > more performance oriented in terms of poly-AT, you try to dig up an old 
>> > GEM S2 or S3 turbo.  I found one of these at a Guitar Center and 
>> > snapped it up, but only after I had bought the VFXs. And, although the 
>> > VFXs do sound nice, I probably would never had purchased them given the 
>> > beautiful feel of the GEM keyboard and my original reason for buying 
>> > another controller in the first place.
>> >
>> > Just a thought,
>> > steve
>> >
>> > --- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "Scott" <gl2tgr@> wrote:
>> > >
>> > > Bill, thank you for the response! But what I am specifically looking 
>> > > for is opinions on: HOW MUCH TROUBLE WILL IT BE for me to get the 
>> > > aftertouch on this unit to respond as it should? (Even if it takes a 
>> > > lot of pressure, I don't care) - I just want it to work!
>> > >
>> > > The seller (again) appears to be a straight-shoter BUT he described 
>> > > the unit as "IN PERFECT OPERATING CONDITION" - so I'm trying to 
>> > > decide whether to send it back or not.
>> > >
>> > > The point is POLY aftertouch, you can't replicate that with a pedal 
>> > > and entering it as MIDI events in a sequencer NOT what I'm interested 
>> > > in - it's a performance/improvisation issue.
>> > >
>> > > Anyone else, any thoughts about adjusting/restoring the aftertouch on 
>> > > one of these?
>> > >
>> > > Thanks! Scott
>> > >
>> > > --- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "William J. Niemi" <bill@> 
>> > > wrote:
>> > > >
>> > > > Hi, Scott,
>> > > >
>> > > > I have an SD-1, and it was in a heavily smoked studio for a number 
>> > > > of
>> > > > years.  No more though... otherwise I'd probably not be writing to 
>> > > > you.  :-)
>> > > >
>> > > > I never thought the aftertouch on the SD-1 was that great compared 
>> > > > to
>> > > > other keyboard synths I have played.  It always seemed to me that 
>> > > > you
>> > > > have to play very hard to get that controller to work.
>> > > >
>> > > > If it ever becomes a big issue with you, you might consider getting 
>> > > > a
>> > > > pedal like a Digitech Control 8 (long out of production but still
>> > > > supported by the factory!)  which you could set for the controller 
>> > > > # and
>> > > > operate with your foot.  I know it's a workaround but that would be
>> > > > one.  Also, if you are recording MIDI, some programs (like Sonar) 
>> > > > will
>> > > > allow you to manually enter controller parameters on the track as
>> > > > necessary.  So there's 2 workarounds.
>> > > >
>> > > > Good luck, and I hope you enjoy your SD as much as I do.  There are
>> > > > still some patches on that box that I rank right up there with the
>> > > > best... such as the "Organizer" patch with the Digitech controlling 
>> > > > the
>> > > > Leslie simulation... way cool.  I have a Hammond A-100 with the 
>> > > > matching
>> > > > Leslie 251 in my studio and that patch, pound for pound, is way 
>> > > > easier
>> > > > for the working musician!
>> > > >
>> > > > Best,
>> > > > Bill
>> > > >
>> > >
>> >
>>
>
>
>
>
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