Korg Forums

babrams123 · Joined: 10 Apr 2012 Posts: 2

Had my x-50 for about 18 months. I brought it out of storage where it had been for a week and now when I play it, every fourth note no longer plays (e.g. d, F#, A#...etc) . This pattern goes all the way up the keyboard and doesn't deviate. Anyone have an answer to what this happened and what I can do about it?

Thanks

levis · Joined: 19 Sep 2011 Posts: 38

load default data

babarosa · Joined: 23 Dec 2007 Posts: 9

... maybe you run out of voices, e.g. playing chords with a combination?

X-Trade · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:47 pm Post subject:

If notes stop working across the keyboard in an obvious pattern, then it is usually a failure of one of the following:
1. Keyboard ribbon cable
2. Keyboard diode matrix
3. Keyboard matrix scanning driver chip/interface board

Also, If it is every other note stops working, there is also a setting in global mode to play only odd or even notes. This is designed for expanding polyphony with another unit.
_________________
Current Gear: Kronos 61, Karma, RADIAS-R, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II, Novation ReMote37SL, Akai APC20, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2.
Past Gear: Korg TR61, Poly800, EA-1, Kawai K1
Software: Cubase Studio 4, NI Reaktor 5, FM8, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX(10.8.3 Mountain Lion) on 15" MacBook Pro

babrams123 · Joined: 10 Apr 2012 Posts: 2

Odd. The problem fixed itself. Good to know what to do in the future though if it returns and persists. Thanks!

michelkeijzers · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:29 am Post subject:

If the problem fixed itself it may be a loose connection .. expect that it might happen again.
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Developer of the free PCG file managing application for most Korg workstations: PCG Tools, see http://pcgtools.mkspace.nl

Thisnameisnowtaken · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 33

I've had the same problem for like the last year, and today it spontaneously fixed itself too! I want to know whether or not your synth has remained working.

michelkeijzers · Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 7:57 pm Post subject:

Kahnn · Joined: 16 Sep 2012 Posts: 19

X-50 is a compact, convenient synth full of nice sounds, combis, possibilities including easy editing options.

But:
Its cheap consturction makes it unstable, and thus unreliable.
I had exactly the same issue (no sound on d-f#-a#) which could happen just anytime even on stage!

A DI box and/or a Belkin-Surgemaster could help -I had never thought of it for my observation was that it had got sth. to do with heat, temperature and/or humidity (moist). I had almost all of the incidents during summer time, and in very hot cities. I don't recall any problems during winter time.

So, since I have to play in summer as well as winter, I've sold it.
Honestly, I miss it.

Thisnameisnowtaken · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 33

Any solutions to this yet? I've since purchased the Korg Kronos, but I still love this little thing, I'd love to have it working again.

Thisnameisnowtaken · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 33

Also, here is a schematic of the inside of the X50, if it helps anyone solve it. http://www.guitar-parts.com/sites/default/files/X50.pdf

X-Trade · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:15 pm Post subject:

Did you try reseating the ribbon cable like I suggested? It's normally the ribbon cable or the keyboard matrix when you have failed notes in a certain pattern across a keyboard, it's due to the way the keyboard is scanned where certain lines and parts of the ribbon will cover certain patterns of notes.
_________________
Current Gear: Kronos 61, Karma, RADIAS-R, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II, Novation ReMote37SL, Akai APC20, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2.
Past Gear: Korg TR61, Poly800, EA-1, Kawai K1
Software: Cubase Studio 4, NI Reaktor 5, FM8, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX(10.8.3 Mountain Lion) on 15" MacBook Pro

Thisnameisnowtaken · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 33

Thanks! I'll open it up and give it a try today. Since I have no history in electronics or repairs, what exactly am I looking for?

Thisnameisnowtaken · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 33

I've taken a look at the schematics and I can't see any keyboard matrix or ribbon controller, then again, I have no idea what I'm looking for. Could you take a look at it (http://www.guitar-parts.com/sites/default/files/X50.pdf) And maybe give me an idea what I'm looking for before I go tearing my keys apart?

X-Trade · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:26 pm Post subject:

If you don't have a clue about electronics then you won't be able to do much except for re-seat cables and other connectors. Anything further than that I'd recommend that you take it to someone who knows a bit about electronics (to the soldering level, not just someone for example who builds computers) or a proper keyboard and electronic instrument technician/repair place.

A ribbon cable is one which is flat and wide and consists of many other cables like the IDE cable that connects older disk drives on computers.

The Keyboard Scanning Matrix is the circuit board directly underneath the keys with a diode matrix and key contacts spread across it. Technically this is the diode matrix, and often the scanning driver chip is on a separate board connected to the diode matrix by the aforementioned ribbon cable, which may have a loose connection so would need (if possibly) un-plugging and re-plugging, firmly, to assure that it is connected properly.
_________________
Current Gear: Kronos 61, Karma, RADIAS-R, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II, Novation ReMote37SL, Akai APC20, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2.
Past Gear: Korg TR61, Poly800, EA-1, Kawai K1
Software: Cubase Studio 4, NI Reaktor 5, FM8, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX(10.8.3 Mountain Lion) on 15" MacBook Pro