Noisy Roland SH-09

[magnus]

Hi,
I recently bought an SH-09 that was in pretty poor cosmetic condition, but generally sounded fine. Today it has started to produce constant background noise - like the sounds you hear on most old analogues, but much louder. The noise doesn't quieten down when I turn the volume pot, and turning the SH-09 doesn't reduce it, although turning it off at the mains does. For some reason, the problem is only apparent when I'm using audio cables - if I'm listening directly through headphones, the noise is still there, but much, much fainter.

Can anyone suggest what the problem might be, and how I might remedy it?


Thanks

[Tchammosaur]

Are you getting a hum, or a crackling noise? If it's a hum, it's interference from the wall plug, or if it's a higher pitch it can come from the computer. Try changing rooms or touching the case with a paper clip to see if it changes anything. I have a SH-09 that had an internal problem at some point: the keys either made no sound or a short noise. That went away by itself after a while. Opening it and cleaning it can't hurt.

[magnus]

Okay I'm with you. I did a bit of resaerch, and I believe it's a ground loop. It could definitely do with a clean out too - SH-09s seem to have a special affinity for dirt. Thanks for your help