Novation K-Station start up problem

soundstorm · Post by **soundstorm** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 1:23 am

Hi guys..

Trying to see if anyone's had a similar problem with their K-Station.

When I start up the synth all of the led's on the synth, except LFO speed, are lit up. After a couple of seconds, the follow led's go out for a second or two and then light back up: filter 12/24db led's, LFO 1 led (not LFO 2), all four LFO shape led's (triangle, saw, square, s&h). After a couple of more seconds the led in the arpeggiator section goes out and then after another second or two the led above the 'menus' button goes out.

The end result is all led's are solid red with the exception of LFO speed, arpeggiator and 'menus' led's, which are all off.

Additionally, the LCD screen is not displaying any information during this process. Normally you'd see some text and maybe the OS version. Can't remember exactly.

I had downloaded the latest OS a couple of months back, but the synth has been functioning the entire time. Are there any known issues with these synth's? Bad integrated circuits or something? Haven't found much on google.

Thanks for any help!!

Post by **Maschinengeist** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 2:12 am

First time I hear of such problem... But I have not done any research since mine is rock solid.

I'll look around if I can find an explaination.

Altitude · Post by **Altitude** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 3:11 am

does it have a wall wart? If so, one going south could cause those problems. I you have one that is rated the same voltage and at least the same current (can be more, just not less) try it and see if it still happens. Make sure you use the same type of trafo though (VAC to VAC or VAC to VDC)

Analog Freak · Post by **Analog Freak** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 3:21 am

Treat the thing like it's running Windows. Just reinstall the latest version of the operating system.

soundstorm · Post by **soundstorm** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 3:43 am

Thanks for the advice guys. The synth does use a wall wart so that's a potential lead. I'll pick up a variable one from Radio Shack tomorrow and try it out. I guess I assumed the transformer wasn't the problem since the synth is getting some power. I see someone posted that their Electribe EMX got fried and they seem to have similar symptons of led's all lit up now. My synth hasn't been out of my apartment, but I hope there wasn't a power spike or something that the power strip in my studio didn't handle. I also have a Juno-106 and DX-7 plugged into the same strip, but they're not using a wall wart. Haven't noticed anything weird with them.

I have tried reinstalling the OS, but that doesn't work. I believe the synth isn't able to initialize to the point it would accept the transfer. The Novation OS Transmitter program sends the OS down the MIDI cable, I can see the activity on my MIDIsport, but it isn't smart enough to know if it was successful.

Let's see if the new wall wart helps!!

Post by **Stab Frenzy** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 3:45 am

Altitude wrote:does it have a wall wart? If so, one going south could cause those problems. I you have one that is rated the same voltage and at least the same current (can be more, just not less) try it and see if it still happens. Make sure you use the same type of trafo though (VAC to VAC or VAC to VDC)

I agree, sounds like the power supply could be at fault.

soundstorm · Post by **soundstorm** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:45 am

Survey says.....

It's a bad wall wart!! Thanks Altitude and everyone else for your suggestions.

Unfortunately Radio Shack didn't have any 9 volt 600 ma power adapters in the store so I had to shell out over $40 for a multivoltage model with 1000ma. They only had 300ma at that voltage. Well, better than replacing the whole synth!!

Thanks again.