Kurzweil K2000 problem - effects insanity.

[jrombrasher]

I have a Kurzweil k2000 v3 w/orchestral that does the weirdest thing, I turn it on and after it boots, there is crazy screaming loud effects racket, I mean LOUD grinding digital effects noise pain! I know it is effects because if I turn them off it works fine dry, but I kind of like the effects and I want them to act right.

The strangest part of this, I have found that to fix it I can just hit the synth, Fonzie jukebox style, once or twice and it is fine for a good long while. I swear when I do this I can hear the effects altering, almost like there is an actual spring reverb in there. I have taken it apart, looked for loose or amiss connections etc. but to no avail. Also I am not really certain which board or part of what board contains the effects so I can look at it closer. It is driving me crazy, anyone ever have a problem similar to this? I'd really like to stop punching this thing...

[Virgule]

Have you reset the machine (Soft or Hard Reset)?

[jrombrasher]

Yes, I've done that and the problem still returns, the noise doesn't happen always but maybe half the time.

[rhino]

FWIW, I have a K2500x that did the same type of thing: Any patch using reverb had a constant tone (about 1200 Hz), also controled by the effects level. Any patch with phazer had a ragged FM-like tone. The "base" FX chip is not available, so I ended up buying an audio board (used) on Ebay.

[Steve Jones]

From memory the effects chip was a Dod chip, they were always a bit failure prone, perhaps you have a bad solder joint on the FX chip, if the board has flexed it may have cracked a surface mount solder joint which may need re-flowing.

[jrombrasher]

Thanks for the suggestions y'all, I will open it up and check the boards.

[chrispoacher]

Hi, I have the same problem with my K2000R. To get around it I just use the 'dry' outputs 1-2 but there is still some very small buzzing noise left. I've replaced some of the JFET's on the output board and I have the diodes to fit also which may help a bit. I would really like the Effects to work though, is it possible to replace the chip or do I need to replace an entire board, and if so which board.. This is a superb piece of kit that would get used a whole lot more in my setup if it wasnt for this problem. Chris

[synthRodriguez]

The effects section is right by the outputs.

I had a spare board I worked on for a few months but never could get the effects operational. Dry was fine. Finally gave up and sold it for parts.

I was not impressed with the board itself. I've never seen traces pop loose so easily. Cheap manufacture IMO.

[ron3113]

I have this exact same problem - the OPs description of the weird noises are spot on.
Did you ever manage to solve this? Was it the soldering issue suggested?

Cheers
Ras