Discussion about the Korg PolySix synthesizer

Good tips which i will try for sure. I noticed the IC12 (10 leg 
transistor type) in the signal board , will heat very quickly, is 
this normal ? Since the Trident MK II has the outside dissipator 
does the MK I need some extra thing to keep temperature controlled ? 
The power supply triacs are heating as hell too... 
oh, by the way...when for seconds the distortion is gone i have a 
clue on how good this thing sounds...humm...great ! I can't wait to 
have this beast in good shape..thanks!!! 
 
Johannes, the preset piano 1 started ok without deep changes in the 
trim pots, it seems it was when i pressed the phillips screw driver 
in order to turn the pot it started ok, but, after the distortion 
came back i could't reproduce it again same way... 
 
 
--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, Johannes Hausensteiner <johau@...> 
wrote: 
> 
> Hi, 
>  
> So the preset thing is clear; probably a "genius" cranked the 
trimpots 
> and made the sounds unusable. 
>  
> For the distortion: try to find out on what this depends. I would 
start 
> with a simple setting (e.g.only VCO-1, filter all open, "gate" EG, 
etc.) 
> Then play around with single parameters and notice under when the 
> distortion/modulation starts. Maybe you can find out this way 
where 
> is comes from. 
> Further check whether it is on all 8 voices. If yes, then probably 
the 
> reason is in a common part (e.g. overall synth gain circuit, ...) 
>  
> Voice #6: check IC9 of unit #6. On pin1 there should be the VCO-2 
> waveform regardless of On/Off setting on the control panel. 
IC9/pin13 
> is the control signal, it should be high when VCO-2 is on, low 
when 
> off. IC9/pin2 is the switched VCO-2 wave. 
>  
> Good luck! 
>  
> Johannes 
>  
>  
>  
> stagerhodes wrote: 
> > ok...i think i made some progress here...when trying to adjust 
VR27  
> > in the presets board (with piano 1 , as Johannes told) suddenly 
i  
> > heard the sound loud and clean...after a bit the distortion came  
> > again...well, in this process when it sounded ok i changed from  
> > piano 1 to manual and the synth was there without  
> > distortion...but...no VCF working (just the FINE Cutoff was  
> > working)...so i believe my problem is related with the 
filter...i  
> > will do more testing here, in the mean time if someone can give 
some  
> > clues based on this it would be great..thanks to all !  
> > Oh..almost forgot...i found the VCO 2 not working in the voice 
#6.  
> >   
> >  
> > --- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "gil_we" <gil_we@> wrote: 
> >  
> >>Also, can you see any broken or "cold" solder joint on this 
board ?  
> >>  
> >> 
> >>--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "gil_we" <gil_we@> wrote: 
> >> 
> >>>The Flanger board (KLM-291) is also the mixer board, in case it 
got   
> >>>defective it makes sense to me that the synth problem may be 
related   
> >>>to a defect on that board as well.  
> >>>  
> >>>Do you get that problem only, but only for the synth sound ?  
> >>>  
> >>>Does it sound distorted on both VCOs ? You can eliminte VCO1 
and only   
> >>>listen to VCO2 and vice versa ? 
> >>>  
> >>>  
> >>>--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "stagerhodes" <stagerhodes@> 
wrote: 
> >>>  
> >>>>thank you !...well, the controls are working, only it makes a 
kind of   
> >>>>distortion which is more audible in the 16' and 8' octaves, it   
> >>>>reduces it in the 4' ( a distortion with some kind of 
modulation ),   
> >>>>the bad effect will be more noticed too if one set the EG 
Intensity   
> >>>>to center or full counterclockwise (negative envelope). I 
tried to   
> >>>>memorize 2 patches and the programmer seems ok, the patches 
are  
> >>>>there, so i just don't know what to do next...  
> >>>>I must say that it seems the top panel was (may be the unit 
crashed   
> >>>>in the floor or something) bend in the master tune pot area, 
after a   
> >>>>close look i saw one of the screws fixing the Flanger board , 
in its   
> >>>>place with a small PCB fragment attached, and the board broke 
in one   
> >>>>of its edges (screw area). I took out the flanger board and it 
seems   
> >>>>no damage in any of the pcb traces...anyway does any 
malfunction in   
> >>>>this board reflects in the synth section sound (with flanger 
turned   
> >>>>off) ??  
> >>>>Oh, the preset sounds are not ok, just a short beep (low 
frequency),   
> >>>>the strings and brass are OK  
> >>>>regards  
> >>>>Art 
> >>>>  
> >>>>  
> >>>>--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, Johannes Hausensteiner 
<johau@> wrote: 
> >>>> 
> >>>>>The PCB looks OK; no damage due to leaked battery as in the 
Polysix  
> >>>>>is visible.  According to the pics (silkscreen) the battery 
which is  
> >>>>>mounted seems to be original or genuine replacement.  So I  
would not  
> >>>>>suspect a threat like in the P6.  It largely depends on the 
battery  
> >>>>>make, which seems to be good quality in this unit. So as long 
as the  
> >>>>>battery retains sufficient voltage (more than 2.5V) I would 
not  
> >>>>>worry about it.  
> >>>>>This does not surprise me, since the Trident MK I programmer 
and the  
> >>>>>MK II programmer are completely different. MK I was designed 
before  
> >>>>>Polysix, MK II afterwards or the same time obviously using 
the same  
> >>>>>technique in both (edit mode, etc). Amazingly they did not 
use a  
> >>>>>microprocessor for the patch manager in the MK I but an 
all-hardware  
> >>>>>type of design.  
> >>>>>  
> >>>>>Regarding your original problem: it may be (even likely) that 
the  
> >>>>>battery is dead or at least discharged and all memory patches 
are gone  
> >>>>>producing no or meaningless sound. Are the knobs and switches 
working  
> >>>>>in "Manual" mode? How do the presets ("Piano 1", "Piano 2", 
"Clav") sound?  
> >>>>>  
> >>>>>According to the schematics there are on KLM-317 three sets 
of pots  
> >>>>>for the presets; you may set your favourite sound patches 
there.  
> >>>>>(The Yamaha CS-60 and CS-80 had a similar kind of "Patch 
Memory"..)  
> >>>>>  
> >>>>>Johannes 
> >>>>>  
> >>>>>  
> >>>>>stagerhodes wrote: 
> >>>>> 
> >>>>>>Hi,  
> >>>>>>just uploaded 8 photos of the board, hope they're ok now for 
you to   
> >>>>>>try to help me.  
> >>>>>>regards,  
> >>>>>>Art 
> >>>>>> 
> >>>>>>  
> >>>>>>--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "gil_we" <gil_we@> wrote: 
> >>>>>> 
> >>>>>>>you're welcome,  
> >>>>>>> 
> >>>>>>>I'm interested to see how corroded is the board - if any at 
all. 
> >>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>> 
> >>>>>>>--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "stagerhodes" 
<stagerhodes@y...> wrote: 
> >>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>Hi Gil,  
> >>>>>>>>well, i'm not at home right now, but the battery is from 
Sanyo, and   
> >>>>>>>>the big lettering is CADNICA (nickel cadmium).  
> >>>>>>>>I will take better pictures tonight and post them 
(deleting the ones   
> >>>>>>>>there now)...well, what can i say besides thank you for 
your  
> >>>>>>>>support ... 
> >>>>>>>> 
> >>>>>>>> 
> >>>>>>>>--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "gil_we" <gil_we@y...> 
wrote: 
> >>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>It's very hard to see anything on those pictures... I do 
see though   
> >>>>>>>>>that the battery was already replaced ?? looks like a 
lithium battery   
> >>>>>>>>>what does it say on it ?  
> >>>>>>>>> 
> >>>>>>>>>Try to provide close up high resolution pictures of the 
programmer 
> >>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>> 
> >>>>>>>>>--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "stagerhodes" 
<stagerhodes@y...> wrote: 
> >>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>I think i have another problem here, not related with 
battery leak,   
> >>>>>>>>>>i just uploaded some photos , not very good quality, but 
the battery   
> >>>>>>>>>>seems to be sealed, and the programmer is working 
despite some press   
> >>>>>>>>>>memory recall buttons need cleaning or replacing. Well , 
the synth   
> >>>>>>>>>>sound has some distortion and sounds like ring 
modulation, this is   
> >>>>>>>>>>minimized if the negative/positive VCF EG Intensity is 
full   
> >>>>>>>>>>clockwise. The preset sounds are like no envelope 
sustain, just a   
> >>>>>>>>>>short low (frequency) click...well, i'm not a keyboard 
technician,  
> >>>>>>>>>>just trying to make something here, otherwise i will 
have to take  
> >>>>>>>>>>the synth and schematics to a friend who is a technician 
(works in   
> >>>>>>>>>>musical instruments, not vintage ones but...) and try to 
put this   
> >>>>>>>>>>synth to play...have to say the brass and strings 
sections are ok,    
> >>>>>>>>>>the split keyboard function switches and behavior are 
ok, bend and   
> >>>>>>>>>>mod ok...well...lets see 
> >>>>>>>>>> 
> >>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "gil_we" <gil_we@y...> 
wrote: 
> >>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>Thanks,   
> >>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>I believe that this type of info should be shared all 
over the net.    
> >>>>>>>>>>>The Trident's schematics are very rare - took me weeks 
to get them;   
> >>>>>>>>>>>however, here they are.   
> >>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>I got my Trident in disasterous condition, nothing 
worked, battery    
> >>>>>>>>>>>corrosion, bad chips, everything you may think of... 
Got it work    
> >>>>>>>>>>>finally after doing the refurbishment step by step. 
This is an    
> >>>>>>>>>>>incredible machine, one of the best ever made and 
definately Korg's    
> >>>>>>>>>>>best Polysynth.   
> >>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>Let us know how you proceed, also if you can take some 
pictues of the    
> >>>>>>>>>>>board it would help. 
> >>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "stagerhodes" 
<stagerhodes@y...> wrote: 
> >>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>Oh, i'm very pleased regarding this group , many 
thanks for your   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>reply and the schematics beeing available for 
download...  i will   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>unmount the Trident may be tonight or tomorrow night 
and will post my   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>sights inside. This is one of my favorite (regarding 
it's wood design   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>and the sound, particularly the synth section) 
keyboards from korg ,   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>and i can say i tried almost them all at the time they 
were beeing   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>produced since i was working demoing them in a shop. 
So now is the   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>time for me to have some of them in full working 
condiction...  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>Art 
> >>>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "gil_we" <gil_we@y...> 
wrote: 
> >>>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>I didn't fully understand how the synth section acts 
on this machine...  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>Also, is there corrosion (green colored) on the 
battery and near it ?  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>Are there bad (black colored)traces ? are the signal 
and synth boards   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>correded as well on some areas ?  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>Take extra care not to hurt anyting that works. 
Particually, stay   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>away from the 10 leg transistor type component at the 
bottom left   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>side of right bottom (signal) board. This one is 
extremely sensitive   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>to extreme temperature changes and is very rare and 
expensive to get.  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>You can use the schematics I uploaded to the Files 
section. 
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "stagerhodes" 
<stagerhodes@y...> wrote: 
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Hi,  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>i just bought a Trident MK I in which the poly synth 
section is   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>malfunctioning, i am almost certain that the problem 
is the battery   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>question , and the leakage from it. It seems the 
tune is ok, all notes   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>are sounding (brass and strings sections), in the 
synth section one can   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>ear some sound (it is possible to ear the notes 
pitch, but with some   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>strange effects in them) and the memory section is 
not working which   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>leads me to the battery question. Is there any 
special care i must have   
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>in this model ?  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>regards  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Art  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Portugal 
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
> >>>>>>>>>>>>> 
> >>>>>>>>>>>> 
> >>>>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>>>> 
> >>>>>>>>>  
> >>>>>>>> 
> >>>>>>>  
> >>>>>> 
> >>>>>>  
> >>>>>>  
> >>>>>>PolySix "Digiest" Page: http://www.acc.umu.se/~amber/Poly6   
> >>>>>>Yahoo! Groups Links  
> >>>>>>  
> >>>>>>  
> >>>>>  
> >>>>   
> >>>  
> >>  
> >  
> >  
> > PolySix "Digiest" Page: http://www.acc.umu.se/~amber/Poly6  
> > Yahoo! Groups Links 
> >  
> >  
> >  
> >   
> > 
>