Voyager Way Out of Tune!

bamse · Post by **bamse** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:20 pm

My Voyager is a semi-step+ some cents out of tune even though I have not transposed it. How do I fix this and why is it like this? I bought it new.

bamse

jon_kull · Post by **jon_kull** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:43 pm

Have you tried adjusting the fine tuning knob after letting it warm up?

bamse · Post by **bamse** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:48 pm

jon_kull wrote:Have you tried adjusting the fine tuning knob after letting it warm up?

But shouldn't the presets already have "zeroed" the fine tuning knob?

EricK · Post by **EricK** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:54 pm

How long are you leaving it on?

bamse · Post by **bamse** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:58 pm

When I compared it with my digital synth it had basically just been powered on.

jon_kull · Post by **jon_kull** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:24 pm

bamse wrote:
jon_kull wrote:Have you tried adjusting the fine tuning knob after letting it warm up?
But shouldn't the presets already have "zeroed" the fine tuning knob?

No because analog tuning is effected by heat. It drifts as components inside the synth heat and cool. It can't be a stored setting. As far as I know the Voyager has no built in background tuning (but I could be wrong) so you will have to make the occasional adjustment to the fine tune knob. Also don't compare it to the tuning on a digital synth...it will only lead to madness.

By the way analog drift is known as 'character'.

till · Post by **till** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:45 am

The units tune (not the oscillator detune) is NOT stored in the presets. otherwise you might end with each and every patch playing in a slightly different base tune.

Is transpose disabled?
Are you using the Voyager's keys or using a sequencer or master keyboard?
Is there something attached to the Voyager other then mains and audio out? Maybe a voltage pedal?

Voltor07 · Post by **Voltor07** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:19 pm

bamse wrote:When I compared it with my digital synth it had basically just been powered on.

Let it warm up for a half hour or so, then try it. Analog circuitry has to warm up for the tuning to be spot-on. No instant tuning like a digital synth.

calvinistsandlutherans · Post by **calvinistsandlutherans** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:10 pm

Also, try moving the pitch wheel. My Voyager is screwy sometimes, in that the pitch is way off, as though it were being transposed down, and then moving the pitch wheel reorients it properly (have to do this with every preset change). Very annoying, but an easy solution at least.

Good luck.

Just Me · Post by **Just Me** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:07 pm

calvinistsandlutherans wrote:Also, try moving the pitch wheel. My Voyager is screwy sometimes, in that the pitch is way off, as though it were being transposed down, and then moving the pitch wheel reorients it properly (have to do this with every preset change). Very annoying, but an easy solution at least.

Good luck.

Sounds like you need to calibrate your pitch bend wheel.

calvinistsandlutherans · Post by **calvinistsandlutherans** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:40 pm

It certainly does sound like pitch wheel calibration time for me... how do I do this?

Just Me · Post by **Just Me** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:52 pm

There are full instructions on KnobTweak. Along with a ton of other cool and usefull things. Go to Google Groups and join up.

till · Post by **till** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:41 pm

From the Voyager Software 2.1 Manual Addendum:

Pitch Bend Zero Adjust.
A change has been made to the scanning of the controls, which may result in an offset in your Pitch Bend Zero value. This means you may hear a change in pitch as the Pitch Bend Amount is increased. There is a simple solution to fix this. It requires an adjustment to a trimmer under the Left Hand Controller (referred to below as LHC). This will not void your warranty AS LONG AS YOU FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE. It requires only a #2 phillips head and a small (1/8”) flat head screwdriver.
1) Go to Master Mode and choose “Software Version” press ENTER. Press the CURSOR switch. You will see a display showing the Voltages from the Wheels.
2) Note the Value for the Pitch Bend Wheel. Normally it reads Zero – after installing Version 2.1 – this may read 0 to +5. If this value is Zero you do not need to make any adjustments. If it is greater than Zero, proceed.
3) Remove the two screws on the front plate of the LHC. Place them some place safe.
4) Remove the Wood Spacer that is under the front of the LHC. Place it with the two screws you removed.
5) CAREFULLY lift the front of the LHC, pulling slowly away from the Voyager. The corners may be sharp – so be careful not to drop it.…Note that the back of the LHC panel rests on a shelf at the back of the LHC cavity. Don’t make any sudden “jerking” movements that would pull on the cabling – the LHC is attached to the cabling going to the main chassis, and the keyboard.
6) You will see a circuit board underneath with three small Trimmers (potentiometers). They are labeled “PITCH”, “ZERO”, and “MOD”. DO NOT TOUCH THE ZERO or MOD TRIMMERS OR OTHER PARTS INSIDE THE LHC!!! THIS MAY VOID YOUR WARRANTY!!!
7) After you have located the PITCH trimmer, with your small flat head screwdriver turn the trimmer slowly counterclockwise while looking at the display. The Pitch Wheel Value should decrease. Decrease until you see –1, then, with the lightest touch, turn the trimmer a tiny bit clockwise until you see the –1 change back to Zero.
Carefully Lower the LHC back down making sure that the back of the LHC is engaged on its shelf when the LHC is at rest.
9) Replace the Wood Spacer and thread the screws back in. Ensure that the LHC chassis is as close to the side of the Voyager as possible before fully tightening the two screws.
10) That’s it! If you experience any problems or have questions before trying this, contact techsupport@moogmusic.com.

calvinistsandlutherans · Post by **calvinistsandlutherans** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:33 pm

Thanks Till!

I will give this a shot, while utterly consumed by terror...