Micromoog recording problem

EricK · Post by **EricK** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:34 am

Im not sure exactly when they entered into production, but in additrion to the fine tune knob, mine has an attenuator built to the keyboard output to facillitate better control over other gear in the open system.

For example, it states in the manual that you can use this atenuator with a 921 series Osc to create quartertones.

EricK

Voltor07 · Post by **Voltor07** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 2:34 pm

Well that's a useful feature...I don't suppose that you'd know when your father acquired the synth, EricK?

Blackie · Post by **Blackie** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:44 pm

Hi, I'm still having this problem with my Micro. What are some good Moog specialists that I could send it into?

Or do you guys have any new ideas as to what the problem may be?

Voltor07 · Post by **Voltor07** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:02 pm

Of course, I recommend Kevin Lightner. He's out in California. His website is synthfool.com.

EricK · Post by **EricK** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:26 pm

Mine is a later model Micro with the serial number close to 7000. From Norlin Music, williamsville NY.
I think my father got it as a gift in the early 80's...probably when everyone was dumping their analogue gear.

Eric

CZ Rider · Post by **CZ Rider** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:02 pm

I was unable to listen to the sample you uploaded, but it could be VCA thumping? There is an adjustment on the back of the Micro for VCA balance. Need a thin flat blade screwdriver to adjust from the back of the Micro. Look under the back panel, it's labled, should be the one all the way to the left looking at the back of the Micro.
Here is a page from the adjustments section of the manual. Set it up as described, under sec 4.4.1 VCA balance. If you hear the sound as per the manual. That might be it?
Worth a try.

Blackie · Post by **Blackie** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:57 pm

^^You mean one of the trim pots, as in one of the holes in the real panel? A while ago, I went through that whole procedure listed in the manual, but it didn't do anything to help the clicking.

I took it all apart, and cleaned what I think were the contacts. In the keyboard piece, there was a long thin bar that went across perpendicular to the keys, and each key had a very thin wire that when the key was depressed, went up and touched the width-wise bar. I used some rubbing alcohol and a q-tip and cleaned the underneath part when the wire hits the bar. Didn't do anything. That is the contact though, right? Perhaps I didn't clean it thoroughly enough? I just wiped it quickly.

Just Me · Post by **Just Me** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 12:21 am

De-Oxit is your friind when it comes to cleaning buss bars.

CZ Rider · Post by **CZ Rider** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 12:32 am

Blackie wrote:^^You mean one of the trim pots, as in one of the holes in the real panel? A while ago, I went through that whole procedure listed in the manual, but it didn't do anything to help the clicking.

That's the best I can do, I did't hear the soundclip. But yeah, if you did the proceedure outlined in sec 4.1.1, and that wot't stop it, then I can't help.

I know how fustrating it can be, when you record a single instrument, and you hear these noises in the recording. I have an Access Indigo 2, that makes these little pops at the begining of notes. Usually does it when you switch patches and the previous patch had a really long release time. The next couple notes pop. I wrote Access about this, they made an OS upgrade that made it quiter, but it never went away. Bug in the software? They eventually droped the C line. Good for live stuff, but anoying in the studio.

EricK · Post by **EricK** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:28 am

My Voyager does this to some degree on some waveshapes.

JohnLRice · Post by **JohnLRice** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:54 am

It would be easiest to just send it to Kevin L.

I listened to your sample and that micro second clicking shouldn't be there IMHO. I listened to this persons demo and here none of that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er8Gnxywo5o

The first thing I would do would be to check the power supply to make sure the volages are correct. (any reasonable electronics tech should be able to do this for you if you aren't sure what to do). After that I would look for bad caps or transsistors but . . .these are wild guesses on my part so get the opinion of someone with solid experience before you start swapping parts out randomly!

Best of luck!

EricK · Post by **EricK** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 4:34 am

CZ,
What manual is that?

Blackie · Post by **Blackie** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:42 am

After I cleaned the 'bus bar', it seems a little worse. I used rubbing alcohol, and a q-tip and now there seems to be an fall off of staticky sound, along with the click. This is frustrating.

I'd hate to send it in, it's so expensive to do.

Just Me · Post by **Just Me** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:11 am

Your bus bar is still dirty. Use De-oxit. Also, that noise is most likely the VCA gate. You are hearing the noise of the preamp as the signal is passed. It is going to happen when you play a note with most 'patch' settings. Fast filter envelopes with low cutoff will probably mask it. (But won't be the sound you want)
{Hammond got rid of the keyclick by the H model. You don't see anyone using one of those in the studio!} To some extent, that is part of the sound of the machine. You can reduce it, but you probably can't eliminate it.
My ARPs do the same thing.
The initial hit can't be removed, the sizzle can.

Blackie · Post by **Blackie** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:50 pm

Alright, I'll get some de-oxit. I'd assume it can be picked up at any hardware store?