dead alesis ion main output pre-amp FIXED!!
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- danialad
- Newbie
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:36 pm
- Real name: danial
- Gear: Alesis Ion
Casiotone 403 - Band: gypsy(moths)
- Location: Portland, ME
- Contact:
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp HELP!
man-009, thanks. tested and i've got v1.06... which i assume is the newest. is there anyway you can test the volume pot thing i mentioned in my last post? that would confirm i need to replace my volume pot.
[the gypsy moth project]
have: alesis ion, casiotone 403
had: akai ax-80, korg poly-800, roland juno-6, korg er-1,
alesis sr-16, yamaha tx802, korg dw/ex-8000, korg ms2000
have: alesis ion, casiotone 403
had: akai ax-80, korg poly-800, roland juno-6, korg er-1,
alesis sr-16, yamaha tx802, korg dw/ex-8000, korg ms2000
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp HELP!
don't know? sorry- but it's good you have the new OS 1.06!
-
- Supporting Member!
- Posts: 203
- Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:40 am
- Gear: Ion, MKS-30, MKS-50, SQ-1+ 32-voice, TX81Z
- Location: Regina, SK
- Contact:
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp HELP!
MAN-009 (Tim), you sent me a PM but I couldn't respond because you have PM'ing disabled :-S
Looks like you know what you need to do though.
Looks like you know what you need to do though.
- Yekuku
- Active Member
- Posts: 729
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:29 am
- Gear: dk'tronics speech synthesizer :P
- Location: Greece
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp HELP!
I am sorry to hear that replacing the fets did not solve your problem. A broken volume pot was the most obvious reason, but the faulty fets are famous for causing this behaviour.
Anyway, u can run ion's diagnostic mode by following the instructions on p18 from the service manual, but I am afraid that there is no test for the volume pot.
Anyway, u can run ion's diagnostic mode by following the instructions on p18 from the service manual, but I am afraid that there is no test for the volume pot.
It is all about sharing...
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp HELP!
sorry Ry-Fi. will look into that..

- EmptySet
- VSE Review Contributor
- Posts: 474
- Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:33 am
- Gear: MS20, x0xb0x, JV-1080, JX-3P, JX-8P(PG800), Juno Stage, VFX-SD, VL-1, ARP Omni I, D-50, DW6000
- Location: Illinois, USA
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp HELP!
I am having problems with this self-editing issue too and I already have the latest OS upgrade. So, that's not going to fix it. When I emailed Alesis about this awhile ago, they weren't at all helpful. They said it needed to be repaired, but they couldn't offer me the name of any place that would actually repair it. (and I live in the same state as Chicago) Does anyone know about this issue and even better, know if there is a remedy?man-009 wrote:about my ion, unfortunately, i noticed the Ion self editing tonight. the synth was idle. i left it with the preset sound name on the screen. went up stairs for about 15min then came down and the screen was on the filter screen? this happened two other times tonight. so i guess i got the self editing prob now. sucks! ......( just added ) I found out i have OS 1.00 in my ion. very old. i need to put OS 1.06 in my Ion asap! this may fix the bug i read.
- danialad
- Newbie
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:36 pm
- Real name: danial
- Gear: Alesis Ion
Casiotone 403 - Band: gypsy(moths)
- Location: Portland, ME
- Contact:
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp HELP!
this self editing is news to me. does it happen while the synth is being played? or only when it sits for awhile?
[the gypsy moth project]
have: alesis ion, casiotone 403
had: akai ax-80, korg poly-800, roland juno-6, korg er-1,
alesis sr-16, yamaha tx802, korg dw/ex-8000, korg ms2000
have: alesis ion, casiotone 403
had: akai ax-80, korg poly-800, roland juno-6, korg er-1,
alesis sr-16, yamaha tx802, korg dw/ex-8000, korg ms2000
- EmptySet
- VSE Review Contributor
- Posts: 474
- Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:33 am
- Gear: MS20, x0xb0x, JV-1080, JX-3P, JX-8P(PG800), Juno Stage, VFX-SD, VL-1, ARP Omni I, D-50, DW6000
- Location: Illinois, USA
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp HELP!
Either way. It basically displays a screen as if you had just edited a parameter. For me, it shows the ADSR.danialad wrote:this self editing is news to me. does it happen while the synth is being played? or only when it sits for awhile?
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp HELP!
it's random. i noticed it more not playing it here on my end. but i still love the synth and should upgrade the OS asap anyways. maybe it will help mine? some people don't have issues with v1.06. just make sure before you buy one to ask questions first as i did, but was lied to about the condition big time.
- danialad
- Newbie
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:36 pm
- Real name: danial
- Gear: Alesis Ion
Casiotone 403 - Band: gypsy(moths)
- Location: Portland, ME
- Contact:
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp HELP!
she's all better now! replacing the volume pot did the trick! so now i've got a fully working ion with OS1.6, new jfets and a new volume pot... woo!
next step... paint'r (burnt orange(?) w/ black side panels),put on the new knobs (black w/ chrome tips), and make/apply all new (most likely black) decals.
can't decide if i want to go glossy or not. hm.
next step... paint'r (burnt orange(?) w/ black side panels),put on the new knobs (black w/ chrome tips), and make/apply all new (most likely black) decals.
can't decide if i want to go glossy or not. hm.
[the gypsy moth project]
have: alesis ion, casiotone 403
had: akai ax-80, korg poly-800, roland juno-6, korg er-1,
alesis sr-16, yamaha tx802, korg dw/ex-8000, korg ms2000
have: alesis ion, casiotone 403
had: akai ax-80, korg poly-800, roland juno-6, korg er-1,
alesis sr-16, yamaha tx802, korg dw/ex-8000, korg ms2000
- Yekuku
- Active Member
- Posts: 729
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:29 am
- Gear: dk'tronics speech synthesizer :P
- Location: Greece
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp FIXED!!
Hey I am glad to hear this... 
Now I can stop feeling guilty about talking you into changing the FETs
Good luck with your mods, post pics when its done

Now I can stop feeling guilty about talking you into changing the FETs

Good luck with your mods, post pics when its done

It is all about sharing...
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp FIXED!!
cool. sounds good. send a pic of the new paint job!!!!! thinking about doing that with my Micron i picked up for only $150.. but green and black!!!
- crystalmsc
- Synth Explorer
- Posts: 2862
- Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:15 am
- Gear: uWaveXT,uQ,Pulse+;Ion;MiniBrt,Karma,Mntrb,Volcas,01R;Venom,NordModular,L2X;Evolver;JP8080,MKS70,JD990,D50,MC909,MC80ex,Microcon2;TG77,RS7k,AN200,AN1x
- Band: Crystaline
- Location: Synth Garden
- Contact:
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp FIXED!!
It's been a while, any update about the painting job?
Kaossilatron - Voicillator
http://crystaline.bandcamp.com
Station: Ableton Live 10 Suite, Obscurium, Push 2, Ultranova, MS-20m, Wavedrums
http://crystaline.bandcamp.com
Station: Ableton Live 10 Suite, Obscurium, Push 2, Ultranova, MS-20m, Wavedrums
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp FIXED!!
Rekindling an old post here - I have low volume issues on mine, going to start with the FETS. I haven't soldered before but am fearless and ready to learn (I have to disassemble the synth anyway). I heard it is tough because of the small space, is that true? Any tips to make this painless?
Re: dead alesis ion main output pre-amp FIXED!!
I have the same questions as the guy above me, as well as another:
I've heard that even after replacing the FETs, they can go bad again. Is replacing the FETs a permanent fix, or is this a chronic flaw with the ION? Are they destined to keep going bad?
I've heard that even after replacing the FETs, they can go bad again. Is replacing the FETs a permanent fix, or is this a chronic flaw with the ION? Are they destined to keep going bad?