Yamaha FB-01 Repairs? Not totally Amiga related...

[XDelusion]

So I scored a Yamaha FB-01 for really cheap and it was said to be in perfect working order, the thing is though that the volume on the right is lower and a lot more flat than the left.
 I have tried different cables, inputs, and have messed with the internal settings but nothing has resolved this.
 I'd really love to use this with OctaMED, but not in this condition.

 Anyone know of any where in the states to get old vintage musick gear repaired?

[Iggy]

I had a quick look at the specs for the Yamaha FB-01, thinking it might be something simple like a volume slider distorting what should be otherwise pure digital sound.
And...there aren't any analog controls on this thing what so ever.
Are there Chris?

Good luck with this one.
Oh, if you ever take it apart, let me know what's inside.
I still get a kick out of old Yamaha FM synthesis components.

[XDelusion]

No sliders, except in the PeeSea software to configure the thing... which I tested.

Here's some images for your gear lust. As you can see, no knobs, she's flat chested. :/

[mongo]

http://manuals.fdiskc.com/tree/Yamaha/Yamaha%20FB-01%20Service%20Manual.pdf

[Iggy]

http://manuals.fdiskc.com/tree/Yamaha/Yamaha%20FB-01%20Service%20Manual.pdf

Man, that was very nice of you.

"no knobs, she's flat chested"
Ah, but she's beautiful just the way she  is, Chris.
I would have thought it would be more complex, but I only see one or two ICs that could be responsible for the actual FM synthesis.

The rest appears to be memory and buffer ICs.

You know, your original post about building something like this from parts looks far more practical than I originally thought.
I'm surprised that no one builds copies of these things.

[ciento]

Inner Sound in Portland Oregon

http://www.inner-sound.com

but it won't be affordable
unless you are a star, or  you have a very high-end gear.

If there is a visible fault on the circuit board, or connectors,
it might be cheaper, only if the flaw is indeed the problem,
but still cheaper to buy another FB-01, use it till it drops,
and keep your lame one for parts.

Without a visible flaw, the diagnostic cost is even higher.

I think the initial estimate is just under $100, only to tell you that it
will be xxx hundred to replace the main componant, to test further.

Maybe you could try setting up a multi-band EQ rack, to compensate for
the flawed output?

[XDelusion]

You're right, it's all in the personality, not the knobs anyhow, though at the moment, her personality is a little lop sided. I'm hoping I can get this fixed. From what I've heard out of her so far, I'm in love!

 Would love to see a clone with knobs come about! Or something like this with a SID or two inside.

[Iggy]

You're right, it's all in the personality, not the knobs anyhow, though at the moment, her personality is a little lop sided. I'm hoping I can get this fixed. From what I've heard out of her so far, I'm in love!

 Would love to see a clone with knobs come about! Or something like this with a SID or two inside.

Funny you should mention SID chips, since I'm sitting in front of a stack of print outs I made after discussing  the Kiwi SBC with Nicholas (the Kiwi uses two SID chips).
I'm going to have to research your synthesizer a little more, but I don't see why stuff like this couldn't be built.

[Iggy]

Uh oh.
I spoke too soon.

http://manuals.fdiskc.com/tree/Yamah...e%20Manual.pdf

Huh?

That takes me nowhere.

Yo, Mongo!
You sure that's the right address?

[commodorejohn]

I would have thought it would be more complex, but I only see one or two ICs that could be responsible for the actual FM synthesis.

AFAIK, the only FM synths with an even halfway complex layout were the DX7 series, which divvied up the sound-generation responsibilities between two chips (one for envelope generators, one for the actual operators) and the requisite DACs. Past that, they pretty much made all their FM stuff as single-chip solutions (although outboard DACs were still commonly required,) which I'm sure had a lot to do with the popularity of the things in arcade boards and Japanese home computers.

As for the unit, I'd look into recapping it before you go shipping it off somewhere, since that looks to be pretty easily doable and can often be a quick fix for analog-type issues (as this sounds like.) Though on the other hand you might just try to get your money back and buy one that's actually in perfect working order.

And for the record, the PDF Mongo was trying to link is here.

[Kesa]

While we are talking about unrelated Amiga Yamaha's check out this f**ker

[XDelusion]

Does it support MIDI?

While we are talking about unrelated Amiga Yamaha's check out this f**ker

[gertsy]

AFAIK, the only FM synths with an even halfway complex layout were the DX7 series, which divvied up the sound-generation responsibilities between two chips (one for envelope generators, one for the actual operators) and the requisite DACs. Past that, they pretty much made all their FM stuff as single-chip solutions (although outboard DACs were still commonly required,) which I'm sure had a lot to do with the popularity of the things in arcade boards and Japanese home......

Actually the FB01 is the module version of the DX27/DX100 the 4 Operator versions of the DX7 without the filters. But it still sounds great. I especially remember the Orchestra, Drawbars and a slider ping/pong sound I cant remember the name of.

Pity about the sound issue.

It could be the Caps...

[TCMSLP]

Likewise, I'd suggest caps, especially any around the amplifier (op-amp I guess), section.

I'd also check for dry joints around the output connectors - but in this case, perhaps unlikely.


Steve

[Iggy]

While we are talking about unrelated Amiga Yamaha's check out this f**ker

I always like the model, but the one you've pictured actually looks nice.
The early models look the the bast*rd progeny of a muscle bike that was raped by a steam calliope.

Oh, and I downloaded the FB-01's service manual if anyone has trouble finding it.