Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

I recently bought a Moog Prodigy which works pretty well except for a couple minor problems.

The first problem is in the attack knob within the volume contour. When this know is at a low setting (approximately between 1 msec and 400 msec) sound will bleed through even when i'm not holding any keys. The sound comes through the loudest at 1 msec, at 400 msec the sounds is usually quiet enough not to hear, but it depends how loud i have the synth cranked. I would like to fix this problem without taking my moog into a shop if possible. I don't know a whole lot about synth repair, but if it just needs cleaning or a connection fixed up, i might be able to do it on my own.

THe second problem i'm having . The keys on my moog have shifted and jammed the high c key against the side, so when it is pressed it gets stuck. CAn I just open it up and tweak the keys back to their appropriate position?

Any advice on fixing these problems would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Problem 1: Sounds like a bad capacitor in the VCA module.

Don't have time right now... but I'll come back to you

thanks, any help is appreciated

As promised, here I am. Sorry for the delay though.

I've just rered your post. You say "Volume Contour". There is no such thing on the Prodigy. Do you mean "Loudness Contour"? If so, the problem comes more likely in the VCA Attack module. And there are no capacitor there but ICs and resistors.

Solution: Inspect all the components for signs of deterioration. Though it's rare, resistors blow with age, thus outputing wrong voltage thus malfuntion(s). If you can get ahold of a digital multimeter, test all the resistors. And to test the IC, you need a logic probe... but that is getting complicated. If you need a multimeter and the service manual, I've got that and can make you a killer price.

For the key. It can usually be fixed by changing the spring underneath. Sometimes the whole key must be replaced if a hook is broken. That should do it. But take away the key and inspect it along with contact and chassis... There could be a problem there (too).

Of course, remote help is not obvious... I don't see what you see.

Good luck!

Yeah, I did mean the "loudness contour" . I'm pretty sure I can get ahold of a multimeter, but just out of curiosity, how much do you sell them for? Anyways, thanks again for the help, I'll get back to you after I check out those resistors.

$5 bucks (canadian) + shipping. That's a special for the VSE members

Brand new in sexy plastic wrapping.

See my website: www.MuzikElektronix.com > Store > Gizmos

damn, you cant even buy a hamburger where im from for $5 canadian.
so that seems like a really good price for any voltmeter.
MG, have you thought about stocking a VM thats got an analog meter on it too? cause an analog meters absolutely necessary for synth repair work.
regarding the key that hits the side, it sounds to me like one of the plastic pieces on the top, probably the right one, is cracked off. if this is the case, try your best to find the piece inside the prodigy and glue it back as top keys are very hard to find.
mini