JX-8P NOTE WON'T TURN OFF!!

matt74 · Post by **matt74** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 6:39 am

Hi, I'm new to this board. I just got a Roland JX-8P and it seems to be in flawless condition except for one thing...when i first tested every key on the keyboard each one sounded out fine, but the second time i tested the keyboard middle E didn't sound at all. if i power off and back on the same thing happens, middle E will play once but never again after the first time. then i figured that it wasn't sending a note off message, and so the note wouldn't retrigger. i tried to play the same note with a voice that has a long sustain, and sure enough the note plays continuously once hit. even when the JX-8P is being controlled by a different keyboard and acting strictly as a sound module, the middle E won't shut off once it is hit. since i just got it i need to decide now if it is fixable, and hence i should keep it, or if it will be difficult to correct, and i should (unfortunately) consider trying to return it. THANKS FOR ANY ADVICE!

silversurfer1919 · Post by **silversurfer1919** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:03 am

my jx-8p has a problem with the aftertouch i know Roland didnt manufacture these perfectly that was a flaw from what my friend told me who knows more about synths than i do thats what he told me

id bring it back if you can and get a JX-10 a JX-10 from what ive read is 2 JX-8Ps in one synth which makes it pretty powerful my JX-8P can growl but i dont use it that much for it has a silky sound i havent tried getting in depth with it complementing what i use regularly

were there any problems with the JX-10 as with the 8Ps aftertouch?

DX · Post by DX » Sun Jun 10, 2007 12:26 pm

It sounds strange if happens when acting as sound module too.
JX keyboard main feaure is the sticky notes, both note on and note off. But it happens just once each long time (at least on mine). So it is not a major problem for me.

If your problem is working as module, I think key contact is not the reason, so it may be a faulty ROM chip for instance.,.,.

REgarding the aftertouch, don't be alarmed. Every JX8P has its aftertouch gone. It was a bad design then. And It is said on this same forum that JX10 has some issues with the 2nd voice when dual mode (Refer to any JX10 owner for more info).

Hope you can fix the problem.

minime123 · Post by **minime123** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 2:51 pm

i wonder if your 8p could have a software issue? i believe roland will pay for upgrades and installation (at a roland authorized service center) for any of their products if its got an old operating system thats since been updated... so if you decide to keep it, that may be something to look into - call roland to check. otherwise, i think it may be a better idea to see if you can get a refund as it might not be worth the effort youve got to put into it to get it repaired.
mini

Post by **Jack Spider** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 2:59 pm

I had something very similar on my JX-8P. The puzzling part is that it's happening when you use another keyboard as a controller - this makes me suspect that the errant note is actually permanently 'on', in which case, the external controller keyboard won't sort this out.

Just to be sure, disconnect your controller keyboard and turn off the JX-8P. Turn it on and if the note is sounding - use one of the Organ presets, which will continuously sound as long as a note is held (thus showing if the note is 'stuck' and it's a contact problem). If the note is sounding, tap the errant key until it stops. Then use another keyboard to control it - you should be okay.

This of course, is only of any use if it's the keyboard contacts that are to blame.

midi2 · Post by **midi2** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 3:32 pm

common problem.just press the note very quickly a few times (not holding it) and it would be okay.

minime123 · Post by **minime123** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 3:46 pm

we rarely sell jx8ps in but took one in a while ago.
ive wanted to sell it for a long time but it had a problem so due to the low prices theyve been fetching, kept it around to use for parts. we havent needed any parts from it and need to make some room, so we'll probably put it up for sale this week. anyway, i checked my notes and heres what i recorded about this jx8p:

......"it sounds good and plays well with a couple possible exceptions. The aftertouch effect seems weak to me, but I havent played another JX8p keyboard for comparison so I am not sure if its normal response or not. Also, every once in a while there is a stuck note on sounds which normally sustain when keys are held and hitting the same key again does not reset the envelope right away. I have a feeling this might be due to an early operating system, but I am definitely not sure. If it is, last time I checked Roland paid for any OS upgrades to any of their instruments. This included a new OS chip and installation at an authorized repair center."

so based on what ive now read, im thinking aftertouch rarely works on these and that what i noticed is a common problem?? it would be interesting to know the OS version in other machines with this problem.
thanks
mini

insky · Post by **insky** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 1:31 am

Yes aftertouc sucks in pretty much all of them. Is there a way to check which OS version you have? I'd assume I have an early OS version because mine was mad in June of '85 (granted it never got upgraded). The only stuck notes I get are from the key contacts though.

minime123 · Post by **minime123** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:18 am

not sure, you may have to open it up and see the os thats printed on the chip... but ill ask our tech if he knows.
key contacts would have nothing to do with an os related problem. generally key cont issues are easy to fix.

matt74 · Post by **matt74** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:25 am

first off, thanks for all your ideas, but it seems i made a mistake in my first assessment of the problem. once the note is triggered it won't shut off, no amount of tapping will stop it. but i was wrong to say that the problem persisted even when using it as a sound module controlled by another keyboard. if i power off the jx-8p and power it back on i can play every note fine from an external keyboard. i guess i just have one of these common stuck notes i've been hearing about? and since the note absolutely won't shut off, what now? mostly i'll use the jx-8p as a sound module, but still...it'd be nice to fix it. any ideas? thanks for all the info.

DX · Post by DX » Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:40 am

You have to check the key contacts on that faulty key. AFAIR the JX8P contacts are "DX7" style contacts. So you will find three metal pieces: the upper, the lower and the middle one. Middle is the common, when it leaves the upper contact, NOTE ON is sent. The time it takes from leaving the upper contact to reaching the lower one is measured and it is the key velocity.

So, if the middle contact doesn't return well to touch the upper one, the NOTE ON remains constantly. It can be dust or a bent contact. (I guess that your probl is more than the normal sticky note fixed just only triggering sometimes again).

If you are gonna touch or bend that metal pieces, do it with care, as they are fragiles in some cases.

Give a check to that. Hope it helps.-