Fully Serviced Elka Drummer One / Analog Drum Machine

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Video previously posted here.

Pics of the inside below.

"Here is the Elka Drummer One, an analog rhythm unit from the late 60s. Unit was fully serviced. Every single electrolytic capacitors were replaced. You really HAVE to do it on those units, otherwise it doesn't sound like it should, and deserve. There is no way the bad quality capacitors italian manufacturers used in the 60s and 70s could still be in shape 50 years after. And it impacts the sound a lot in those analog drum machine, especially the attack and decay of the sounds."

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Vintage PAiA 6780 Polyphonic Organ/Synthesizer

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PAIA Mini Organ 3760

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Pics of the inside below.

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Roland Jupiter 4 49-Key Synthesizer SN 912228

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"Roland Jupiter 4 in perfect working condition. Fully tested and revised."

Pics of the inside below.

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Oberheim OB-Xa 8-Voice Synthesizer w/ Encore MIDI

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Pics of the inside below.

"Here's a super clean 8 voice OB-Xa which was recently completely restored by the fantastic Synth Tailor Electronics in Ohio. This one has Encore MIDI and sounds amazing, as you would expect from an OB-Xa."

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ARP 2600 TONUS Modular Synthesizer

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Tone Tweakers eBay | Reverb

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Pics of the inside below.

"This early Tonus era ARP 2600 synthesizer had oscillator sync added at the factory and also had its keyboard upgraded to the later 3620 model, which is duophonic and includes an LFO. The factory also installed the PPC (proportional pitch control) - a very useful pitchbend and vibrato mechanism found in the later Odyssey and Axxe. There was also an additional gate input for the AR envelope added too, so this arp's 2 envelopes can be gated independently.

We meticulously disassembled, cleaned, refurbished and future-proofed this unit, sparing no expense - a process that took a whopping 60 hours of skilled vintage synth tech labor, plus parts costs. It's now working like new again and will hopefully be much more reliable than any other of its type out there. The value of this work is of course included in our price which is justifiably higher than lesser examples of this beautiful classic instrument often being sold by amateurs disguised as store owners on a popular website.

We did lots of maintenance and preventative work to this instrument, including the following: All tantalum capacitors were replaced, the power supply was rebuilt, the faders, jacks and switches were properly cleaned and are free of crackle, the keyboard was fully rebuilt with new bushings, keys removed and cleaned, the unit was recalibrated, replaced many terminals / molex connectors to greatly reduce the chance of connection issues, cleaned keyboard connector, key contacts and bus bars, replaced cinch jones receptacle, etc. There were a few other things done along with any necessary repairs.

The added oscillator sync makes it possible to make much more interesting sounds than any stock 2600 can. A CMS 4012 filter module, well known for its high quality sound, is installed in this unit. This 2600 has been tested systematically multiple times over many hours and is working perfectly and sure to make its next owner really happy!

Part of the extensive restoration process included re-coning the speakers. During final testing, we noticed what sounded like a slight distortion coming from the speakers that we determined was actually due to the 2 pieces of speaker cloth originally present in this unit between the speakers and the front panel, so we removed them and put them in a plastic bag which is now inside the unit in case whoever buys this unit wants them."

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Yamaha CS-20M

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Pics of the inside below. The YM-615 chip is the keyboard controller according to sounddoctorin.

This one does need work.

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Roland SH-5 44-Key Synthesizer

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This pic makes me wonder what it would look like with silver knobs.

Some pics of the inside below.

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SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS PRO ONE - CLEANING POTS AND SWITCHES

video upload by Mindburner

"In this short video, I take apart the various potentiometers and clean the inside. This synth must have been stored in a very dusty environment and the controls were quite erratic at times."

Inside the Prototype Alesis 6461 QS6

Here are ome pics of the inside of the prototype Alesis 6461 QS6 posted here, in via Mike. These pics have been added to that post as well.

Per Mike: "Looks like a 'nearly production' version as I see only 2 hand soldered jumper cables. Everything else looks neat. Even the PCMCIA card slot is there, even though there is no external plastic guide/surround."

Note the ALESIS S6 MAIN PCB REV. x5 dated 5-23-95 printed on the PCB in the 2nd to last image below, followed by a sticker found inside dated 9-5-95. It likely fell off a chip.

The QS6 was released in 1996, per Wikipedia: "In 1996, Alesis introduced the first of their QS series synthesizers. The first of these were the QS6 61-key synth and the QSR rackmount synth. Following these in quick succession were the QS7 76-key synth and the QS8 88-key synth"

Update via Mike: "Info from one of the original Alesis engineers around the time says that this was the only prototype made. They had done tests 'out of the box' but only 1 physical 6461 was made."

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ISLA Instruments' ARP Quadra

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via ISLA Instruments Reverb

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Pics of the inside below.

"This classic behemoth has had many, many hours put into it to bring it back to its former glory.
If you're looking for a Quadra, I think this one is well worth considering as it is now a fully working, reliable synth with a lot of care and attention put into it.

I will purchase a FLIGHT CASE for this synth prior to shipping, at my cost.

Work Carried out:

Complete power supply rebuild (including all new regulators and capacitors)

COMPLETE polarized capacitor replacement throughout the ENTIRE synth (all tants and electrolytics)

ARP Filter modules removed and re-capped (using audio grade caps in the filter audio path)

Brand new Keyboard control PCB fitted (battery damage had ruined the original board)

Brand new Memory backup battery fitted (average 20-25 year life span)

Extensive Logic chip replacement.

Keybed stripped, chassis painted and keys re-bushed (feels like new again)

All sliders and switches completely stripped, cleaned, re-lubricated (and replaced with NOS where needed)

Brand new set of slider knobs fitted

Full Calibration

This synth will also be supplied with a beautiful (and extremely rare) original bound service manual (see photos)


The not so great:

The touch sensitive bar that runs underneath the keybed is not as sensitive as it probably once was, if this bothers you there are a couple of vendors out there that sell replacements.

There are a few scuffs and blemishes (see photos)

A dent in the bottom of the enclosure at the back of the synth (see photo)"

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Sequential Drumtraks Drum Machine Repair

video upload by gstormelectro

"Audio + Video by G-Storm Electro c. 2023

Today I'm investigating issues with a Sequential Drumtraks. While it is making sounds, the display is glitching out and the control functions are not working. In the end it was only incidental I was able to get it working again, for reasons I don't fully understand. The same phenomenon happens with my Drumulator, that's how I knew what to check for. It's my hope posting this video, that someone more knowledgable will be able to comment about this phenomenon.

This video is posted for general information about my experiences. Always observe safety working on electronics, and never tinker around inside power supplies without first unplugging the power cord. If you're not sure about anything, there's no shame in taking your instrument to a qualified service technician.

Since filming the video, I've discovered the batteries are still made in Japan. Also, the numbers on the battery may or may not necessarily be a date code. My new battery says 2132, so maybe it was made in 2021? Since the manufacture date and date installed may differ by a couple of years, I now write a date on the battery with a sharpie when I install it."

Timestamps
0:00 Intro & Symptoms
0:28 Power Supply investigation
2:10 Battery
2:28 Data Bus Check
4:08 About Cleaning IC pins
4:28 Last ditch effort and suddenly it's working???
5:38 Short demo

G-Storm Electro:
*BLOG* http://gstormelectronica.blogspot.com/
*LISTEN/DOWNLOAD* http://soundcloud.com/gstormelectro
*REVERB* http://reverb.com/shop/gstormelectro

E-MU Systems Emulator III SN 0480515

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This is the one in the video posted earlier today here.

Pics of the inside below.

"E-mu Emulator EIII in amazing shape and fully functional condition. It has the original 8mb sample memory installed. The hard & floppy drives have been upgraded with a SD SCSI drive (scsi2Sd) which allows the machine to boot and load banks easily/quickly. The machine was last serviced a little over 4 years ago and has been a work horse ever since."

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Oberheim DSX SN A34523

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Pics of the inside below.

"Transport yourself back to the early 1980s, a time when innovation was paramount, and Oberheim was at the forefront. The visionary Oberheim Parallel Buss system emerged as a proprietary masterpiece that paved the way for seamless connectivity and synchronization in the pre-MIDI era. This groundbreaking system interlinked an array of Oberheim marvels, including the resplendent OB-8 eight-voice synthesizer, the rhythmic wizardry of the DMX drum machine, and the ingenious DSX Digital Polyphonic Sequencer.

The DSX, a true marvel of its time, also wove its magic with other Oberheim synthesizers, embracing the likes of the OB-Xa, OB-SX, and OB-X. It could either sway to the DMX's rhythmic beat or take the reins of control over the OB-synths themselves. But the DSX was not content with merely directing these musical maestros; it held the power to command an additional eight analog synthesizers through its 8 CV and Gate outputs, a feat unparalleled at the time.

For analog synth enthusiasts, the DSX was a revelation. It could faithfully capture your live performances, recording notes and patch changes in real-time, with an astonishing capacity to hold up to 6,000 notes. With room for ten distinct sequences or songs, each of these sequences could unleash ten polyphonic tracks, orchestrating a symphony of OB-synths and DMXs. The DSX even remembered the intricate details, such as splits and doubles. To refine your compositions, it offered quantizing, looping, editing, transposing, and the ability to merge sequences.

If you possess any of these cherished pre-MIDI Oberheim analog OB-synths, the DSX presents a timeless solution for direct, classic control without the need for MIDI retrofits or complex interfaces. Despite some cosmetic wear, this pre-owned gem is in impeccable working condition, meticulously serviced with a new internal battery, internal cleaning, and maintenance. To complete the experience, the DSX arrives with a sync cable for effortless integration with your Oberheim companions and a comprehensive manual. It's your chance to rediscover the magic of a bygone era, rekindling the analog spark that fueled musical revolutions."

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Oberheim OB-SX w/ Magic Box MIDI & BCR2000 Controller

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Pics of the inside below.

"This is an Oberheim OB-SX 6 voice analog synthesizer. It has been upgraded with a New "Magic Box" MIDIcontrol device from MIDI Soft in Germany. The Magic Box includes 56 additional patches to the 56 already in the OB-SX. This includes a Behringer BRC2000 that has been programmed with the MIDIcontrol software included with the Magic Box. I had new custom Oak Wood end cheeks made that were wood stained to come closer to the OB-SX wood end cheeks. The BCR2000 also has a custom Over-Lay to represent all the parameters for the Magic Box. The connections to the OB-SX are simple, just attach the box to the interface connector in the rear center of the OB-SX and plug the box in. The MIDI connections are as follows, MIDI "In" from the box to MIDI "Out A" to the BCR2000 and MIDI "Out" from the box to MIDI "Thru/Out B" on the BCR2000. The BCR2000 is set up for Stand-Alone 3 or S-3 on the unit. You can change anything you want but this is how it is set up presently to use. Once the BCR2000 is hooked up, press the "Auto" button on the OB-SX to Tune all the Voices. Turn on the BCR2000 and plug in the Magic Box (there is no power switch on the box). I will include both USB power cable and AC power adapter with the Magic Box. I will also include the power cable for the BCR2000 and OB-SX. Once everything is on and tuned, select a Patch from the lower Left controller on the BCR2000 and press "Load", lower Right. This needs to be done each time a patch is selected on the BCR2000. You can also select banks and patches on the OB-SX by just pressing them, this will allow you to use the presets and Edit the patches in the OB-SX from the BCR2000. I will send the instructions I printed out, but you can also go to the MIDI Soft website. This is basically a trimmed down version of an OBXa with full control like the OBXa. The voice cards are almost identical, same CEM3340 VCO's, CEM3310 VCAs, but only one CEM3320 VCF 12dB 2 pole filter. The only difference is that the OBXa has 2 CEM3320 chips, one with the 12dB 2 pole Oberheim configuration and one with the 14dB 4 pole Moog style configuration. Other than that, they are basically the same voice cards and now you have the same controls as the OBXa with the programmed BCR2000 and Magic Box. Also, the OBXa has 120 presets. With the Magic Box, you now have a total of 112 presets on the OB-SX and an extra 56 User presets to make your own patches.

The unit itself has been well kept. All the keys, knobs, switches and buttons work. The unit tunes fine when the "Auto" button is pressed. All oscillators work as they should. All of the keys are very quiet and have nice action. The inside is immaculate. The outside case has some scratches and chips on the hood, the underside has longer scratches. Please review all the pictures before purchasing or making an offer. The unit is very deep, about 20", I had to customize my keyboard rack.

· This is a super rare, from the factory 56 patch (switchless), 6 voice late production version – voice cards are the 4 pin variety and are dated: “Nov 04 1981”

· Coming from the factory with 6 voice cards.

· Has had a full power supply rebuild within the last 3 years, modern capacitors & rectifiers with better specs than the OEM 1981 designs.

· Several other internal items were replaced along with the power supply, including: dip switch selector for the voice boards and *ALL* of the potentiometers on *ALL* the voice cards have been upgraded to the multi turn, “box” style as opposed to the original single turn “dial” type potentiometers. Huge difference in calibrating and holding precise values.

Most of the Oberheim classic sounds are factory presets in this fabulous instrument. It will ship with a power cord. The unit should warm up for about 15-30 minutes before use even though it tunes fine at first power up. The units will be double boxed for protection in shipping. The main unit is also very heavy."

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Crumar (Chase) Bit 99

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"Italian designed and built mid 80s synth from Crumar (rebadged for the UK market as Chase)."

Pics of the inside below.

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1983 Linn LinnDrum LM2 w/ Original Box

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Pic of the inside below.

"This was bought brand-new in August of 1983 and acquired from the original owner. It is as close to a time-capsule piece as I’ve ever seen and I’ve had 10 LinnDrum’s in the last 3 1/2 years alone. There are just a few very fine marks on the face (the small flecks in the 2nd photo are just dust) that keep it from truly being ‘mint’ which is pretty wild because the original owner actually used it. These were $2,700 back in 1983, which is over $8,000 in today’s dollars, so it’s not surprising someone took great care of it. It has been meticulously restored and is functioning as well or better than it ever did even back when it was brand-new! The circuit is unmodified to retain it’s original spec and for the fact it is so well-preserved. Another huge bonus is the individual tuning pots for the voices actually function properly and sweep with consistence. A vast majority of these machines have some degree of instability in the tuning pots due to age (DeOxit does not normally fix this issue). Not this one, though. A true collector‘s piece and one you can actually use consistently.

- Full electrolytic recap

- Auxiliary board cleaned and refurbished with battery holder and new rechargeable batteries

- All buttons cleaned and rebuilt

- All 32 faders removed, disassembled, cleaned (and repaired where necessary), lubricated, greased, and rebuilt

- ZIF quick-release sockets added to 7 voices (bass, snare, congas (x2), toms (x2), and clap)

- Factory presets reloaded

This classic piece is essentially ubiquitous with popular music starting from the day it was released. Nearly every major label recording artist and/or band used one of these somewhat extensively (that had hits, anyway). Part of that is due to Roger Linn & Co. dishing them out like tic-tacs in order to promote the machine, but that’s beside the point. The fact of the matter is this machine is all over so many songs, it would be nearly impossible to catalog them all. It’s a who’s who list of household name because it clearly made the impression they’d hoped. And the best part about it is it’s as relevant to today’s scene as it was back then. You can even swap in sounds from your other favorite drum machines to create a truly versatile, desert island instrument!

Most of these are banged up, corroded from battery acid leakage, modified poorly, unrestored, or all of the above. This is the nicest, most-complete LinnDrum available anywhere in the world. Includes original box, sales receipt, user manual, promotional paperwork, and cassette with pre-sets."

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Original 1971 ARP Soloist Model 2700 ex Dennis P. Colin

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video upload by Synthchaser

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Some pics of the inside bits below.

Pics and video for that one captured below.

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ARP Quadra Synthesizer

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Pic of the inside below.

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Linn 9000 Drum Machine Sampler Synthesizer SN 440100

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Pic of the inside below.

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