Korg Forums

Hello everybody,

since today my X5D outputs a low hum, around 129 Hz, that seems to sit somewhere between the tone generation and the effects section, because it can be altered by the effects and also the volume fader. In fact it gets noticably louder with effects turned on. And it's both on the headphone out and the main outs. I've opened the X5D to check if there are any loose cables or chips, pulled some of the cables to see if it makes any difference but it doesn't. Resetting the X5D didn't help either so it must be a hardware issue.

Any ideas where to look at?

Also, here's the hum, gained up a lot, stepping through different program patches so you can hear how loud it can get.
http://www.jaybmusic.net/Upload/X5DHum.mp3

Any help appreciated.

Look for leaking capacitors, unfortunately that's a common problem with Korg synths from the late '80s to mid '90s.
I noticed it too late with my 05R/W (the acid had accumulated on the underside of the PCB, that's why I didn't see it initially) when it had already destroyed many traces.

BTW, thanks for your great soundbank (I have a X5DR as replacement now).