used VX-351 troubles

Tips and techniques for Minimoog Analog Synthesizers
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peterkeys88
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used VX-351 troubles

Post by peterkeys88 » Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:40 pm

So yes i know, i know, thats what i get for buying one used, but hopefully someone has some clues. My vx-351 appears not to be working, i read in the vx-351 appendix instructions in the back of the voyager manual, it mentions that an output adaptor has to be installed first. Should the vx-351 work still without it at all, or is it dead without it? Is the adaptor a standard component or only moog product? If it doesnt do jack without the adaptor, is it possible i just got a lemon? I tried pitch to mf-107 freq with sync off, i tried x and y to mf-101s cutoff and resonance respectively, got nothing, help.

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mayidunk
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Post by mayidunk » Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:07 pm

You need the adapter, they usually come with the VX-351.

Amos
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Post by Amos » Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:11 pm

1.) if you bought from previous user, kindly inform them to pull the (now useless to them) adaptor from inside their Voyager and send it to you, as it's part of the kit

2.) if not possible, you can get just the adaptor from Moog for not too much money.

theglyph
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Post by theglyph » Tue Dec 01, 2009 12:08 am

Hello Peterkeys88! The 351 should work even without the adapter installed. The adapter is needed to help smooth the CV's but with or without it the signals should be available.

Also, there's not a whole lot that can go wrong with the 351 so it's rare that it would be a dud/dead. A quick test would be to see if the 351's triangle LFO out to the Voyager's Volume in is working.

If not, you can unscrew the top five screws of the back plate and check to make sure the ribbon cable from the Voyager's 351 connector is connected properly to the Voyager's analog board (it should be but it doesn't hurt to check if you feel comfortable doing this).

Hope this helps a bit!!

BTW, you should get that adapter board if you don't have it.

Cheers,
Aaron

peterkeys88
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Post by peterkeys88 » Tue Dec 01, 2009 3:36 pm

Hi glyph/amos, i tested the triangle LFO out to voyagers volume, and nothing, it turns it way down, just like having a plain TRS cable in that slot does. I checked the voyagers accessory port ribbon cable and its secure on both ends. I had read that it should still be doing something without the output adaptor, so unless the DB25 cable is somehow bad. I snag another and see what happens, although this one is new, so im doubtful. I suppose the next step is to send it into Moog?
Voyager (Perf.), Mf-101/102/103/104/105M/107, CP-251/VX-351

Just Me
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Post by Just Me » Tue Dec 01, 2009 8:52 pm

The first step is to get the output adaptor and install it. They are under $40USD from Moog. (I'm told) Then worry if something else is wrong. (There isn't a whole lot to go wrong!)
"Music expresses that which can not be said and on which it is impossible to be silent."

peterkeys88
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Output adaptor installed - still not working

Post by peterkeys88 » Wed Dec 09, 2009 12:58 am

Well i got and installed the output adaptor, and with the DCB cable plugged into the moog, it seems to "pinch" some sounds or close the filter a bit? and on some other patches it turns soaring leads n basses into a light clicking sound (to which there is no cure). As soon as i unplug the DCB, the patches go back to there normal sounds. I noticed that the hole in the back (that on my cp-251 is covered by a plastic dome piece) is missing, is there some piece that is used through there that requires you to remove that piece? Maybe the last user did something with that which is affecting the VX-351. Any other clues as to what might be happening with it? Is the next step sending it into Moog? Could it have gotten overloaded at some point? Or is it a bad DCB cable?
Voyager (Perf.), Mf-101/102/103/104/105M/107, CP-251/VX-351

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latigid on
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Post by latigid on » Wed Dec 09, 2009 4:16 am

That doesn't sound right; are you sure the adaptor is plugged in correctly? Around the right way?

The covered hole in the back is probably for a power connection. These are used on the CP-251, but not the VX-351. Both are the same size and share the same panel.

EMwhite
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Post by EMwhite » Wed Dec 09, 2009 1:44 pm

latigid on wrote:That doesn't sound right; are you sure the adaptor is plugged in correctly? Around the right way?

The covered hole in the back is probably for a power connection. These are used on the CP-251, but not the VX-351. Both are the same size and share the same panel.
If I am thinking about the same thing, the hole is to access the potentiometer to tweak the 1v per octave setting.

-Mike W. from NJ

EricK
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Post by EricK » Wed Dec 09, 2009 2:33 pm

The hole on the back of the CP is for the power supply, should you rackmount it. You would have to open the unit, unscrew the power supply jack, pop the plastic cover out and install the power supply on the rear hole. This is so that you can fit your CP in a tight rack, without leaving a huge gap for the power connector.

The VX is powered by the voyager.Notcertian of the function of that hole because Ive never had to use it.
Eric
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peterkeys88
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vx-351 lives

Post by peterkeys88 » Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:56 am

Finally got my used vx351 working. With the output adaptor installed and a second dcb cable, it finally started behaving as it should. Thank goodness. In regards to the hole in the back, I was recently informed that it is used to power the cp-251 when there both rackmounted. A wire is supplied with the vx cp rackmount kit that powers the cp off the vx and voyager piower. I am hoping this is right, since I hate the mess of adaptors for all my foogers. Thankds for all the tips in the vx problem, it has been solved. Case closed, happy synthing.
Voyager (Perf.), Mf-101/102/103/104/105M/107, CP-251/VX-351

EricK
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Post by EricK » Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:00 am

Yeah, I started to mention that, but i was thinking that they connected, but now that I think of it, the wooden connector piece prevents that. It is well and good though, because I understand that this power supply method created too much noise so I think that it is not advisable to connect them in this fashion.

Eric
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existenz
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Re: used VX-351 troubles

Post by existenz » Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:00 pm

Hi i'm Nico, please could someone describe the entire procedure to install vx-351 to voyager and to put vx-351 and cp-201 together in a rack with shared power?
I bought a voyager electric blue and foogers just today and i'm afraid to do some disaster.......
thanks a lot, Nico
Voyager electric blue, Vx-351, Cp-251, Ring modulator, Murf, Phaser, Freqbox.

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