Korg Forums

All of a sudden (I didn't load or installed anything) my Pa1X is making an abrasive noise, like an old volume slider that is full of dust, but the latter is not the case in my situation.
I have removed the ram memory modules: no change.
I have reinstalled the OS and the resources: no change.
When I startup the keyboard the noise appears sometimes immediately and sometimes after 1 or 2 minutes. It varies in volume at random, but is loud enough to be heard while playing.
The only reason I can think of is a hardware related problem: maybe a bad connection or even worse misfunctioning electronics.
I have a gig coming up this weekend, so bringing it to the official dealer will not solve it in time.
I have never opened the keyboard before, but since warranty is off, I'd try that if someone could point me out what screws to remove to open the keyboard.

admar

Admar,
I had a similar problem to what you describe a while ago. I had to take it to Korg at Milton Keynes UK. After several attempts to fix it they had to change the main board. I think they did this as nothing else they did fixed the problem. The noise I got was a grating noise and could be heard whilst playing. I hope you get it sorted.
Regards Chris.

Yes Chris, a grating noise is perhaps the best description (although English is not my native language).
Thanks for your reply, I'll keep you posted how I get on with it.

admar

Have you tryed to set all slider to "0"
Is the noise in both left and right channel
Are the noise also in the headphone output

Kjeld

Hi,

have you plugged a microphone?
Does the noise exist when you unplugge all cables and listen e.g. with a headphone?

I think i remember that someone has a similar problem and it was caused by a damaged microphone cable.

cu
Detlef

kjeld wrote:Have you tryed to set all slider to "0"
Is the noise in both left and right channel
Are the noise also in the headphone output
Kjeld

wittid wrote:Hi,
have you plugged a microphone?
Does the noise exist when you unplugge all cables and listen e.g. with a headphone?
I think i remember that someone has a similar problem and it was caused by a damaged microphone cable.
cu
Detlef

All sliders (except volume) set to 0: no difference.
The noise gets louder when the volume slider goes up, when set to 0 the noise is gone.
The noise is in both left and right channel.
The noise is the same when listening through a headphone.
There is no microphone connected, nor anything else.

I guess I have to open up the keyboard to check for bad connections or else it must be faulty electronics in the main board.

admar

A grounding problem perhaps - try it in a different venue (different power) just in case there is a grounding problem in the house or in that power circuit.

Pete

Try to set the Micr. SW. to position 1 and not Micr. (on the backpanel)
Try to place your output cable in 1 and 2 (instead of L/R)
I mean you have the PRO version
Im sitting and study the Scematic Diagram and try to help you

Kjeld

karmathanever wrote:A grounding problem perhaps - try it in a different venue (different power) just in case there is a grounding problem in the house or in that power circuit.
Pete

Thanks Pete for thinking with me.
I've tried several power outlets, but unfortunately to no avail.

admar

kjeld wrote:Try to set the Micr. SW. to position 1 and not Micr. (on the backpanel to)
Try to place your output cable in 1 and 2 (instead of L/R)
I mean you have the PRO version
Im sitting and study the Scematic Diagram and try to help you
Kjeld

Well Kjeld, your help is much appreciated, even if it wouldn't get me the solution to my problem, BUT.....
You have hit the jackpot (my jackpot that is). When setting the mic switch to position 1 the noise stopped. Seemed that the mic volume knob is the cause of the noise. I never use the mic via Pa1X and just turning it up and down a few times, the noise also disappears when the switch is in the mic position. The keyboard is good for half an hour now and hopefully it remains noiseless (when my fingers are quiet that is).
Again, thank you very kindly for offering all these possible solutions with the golden tip. You made me a very happy man, let's hope the audience values it too when I'm gigging this weekend.

admar

I think it have been a bad contact in the switch, because you never use it
It can have been an OP-AMP in the Mic. line there are the probs. , but "NEVER" the vol. poti

If you never use Mic. "In", then let the Sw. stay in pos. "1"

If you still have probs., you have to by a new Board "KIP2056". It is the "AUDIO-BOARD", and then you can be shure it works

Im happy if I can help, therefore we have the FORUM

If any probs. please let me know

Kjeld

kjeld wrote: If any probs. please let me know

Oh no, please no, no more probs. please....

admar

Kjeld, the saviour of the day. Cheers!

kjeld wrote:Try to set the Micr. SW. to position 1 and not Micr. (on the backpanel to)
Try to place your output cable in 1 and 2 (instead of L/R)
I mean you have the PRO version
Im sitting and study the Scematic Diagram and try to help you

Kjeld

Kjeld, you are the man! I suddenly started getting some weird semi-screeching high pitched sound superimposed over the regular sounds when I first turned on the keyboard and it would go away after a few minutes. It seemed to be getting worse and I've been getting worried because I use it for gigs and a month or so ago I started making sure I turned it on right away while I was setting up the rest of my gear and it would be ok by the time the show started. My mic switch was also set to 2 and I changed it to 1 and no more noise. It's only been a week but so far so good. Good catch, buddy.

Bob