NoiseWiki

It took me a month to get to the root of what was giving me grief with the E-mu ESi 4000. The display sub circuit did not have a reliable common connection to the rest of circuit, and firmware appears to be such that unless the display is completing an instruction loop the machine hangs in wait.

Anyway, hot off that fix I went ahead and pulled the trigger on this:
https://reverb.com/item/59848942-akai-s ... mpler-1986

I'll have to replicate the front panel PCB, but I have a working S900 and schematics from which to take measurements and so forth. That is, if the stuff that is there is in serviceable condition.

I found a listing for a button PCB for S950 (same sub assembly) a few days ago and picked that up instead of committing myself to replication. Now I just need to design a switch retrofit, as the vertical ALPS switches used in 1986 are NLA, and there are four switches broken and one switch completely missing.

Got this thing

melko wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 6:57 am https://www.ebay.com/itm/185475498800

Lexicon VARISPEECH II 1970s Vintage Pitch Shifter Computer Cassette Deck

and that thing

melko wrote: ↑Fri Jul 09, 2021 6:03 pm

whoa... a 1970s cassette recorder with a built in pitch shifter based on reticon bbd chips

The Lexicon seems to be working as intended. Sounds gnarly but not as much as I expected. Didn't have a chance to test the A-7 yet, but on the outside it looks mint/nos.

melko wrote: ↑Fri Oct 14, 2022 5:14 am Got this thing

melko wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 6:57 am https://www.ebay.com/itm/185475498800

Lexicon VARISPEECH II 1970s Vintage Pitch Shifter Computer Cassette Deck

and that thing

melko wrote: ↑Fri Jul 09, 2021 6:03 pm

whoa... a 1970s cassette recorder with a built in pitch shifter based on reticon bbd chips

The Lexicon seems to be working as intended. Sounds gnarly but not as much as I expected. Didn't have a chance to test the A-7 yet, but on the outside it looks mint/nos.

Nice.. wasn't really familiar with either of those but I may try to get my hands on the VSC A7. I borrowed this Lexicon pitcher shifter that was sitting around at the post house I worked at in the 90's but it wasn't that interesting. It had a really short delay as it was intended to be used with a video tape deck to correct pitch based on any warble in the tape speed or if the tape was stretched. Wish I had it though just as a collectors item.

NoiseWiki wrote: ↑Fri Oct 14, 2022 9:58 am Nice.. wasn't really familiar with either of those but I may try to get my hands on the VSC A7.

There are three of them on ebay right now.
Also, a Lexicon Varispeech model 26, but this one needs a pcm chip which is probably impossible to find.

melko wrote: ↑Fri Oct 14, 2022 11:27 am

NoiseWiki wrote: ↑Fri Oct 14, 2022 9:58 am Nice.. wasn't really familiar with either of those but I may try to get my hands on the VSC A7.

There are three of them on ebay right now.
Also, a Lexicon Varispeech model 26, but this one needs a pcm chip which is probably impossible to find.

I bought a vsc but haven't tested yet..

Also that black lexicon unicorn gives me hope my pile of lexicon delays is a gold mine

I acquired a B&O Beocord 2400 cassette deck but the play/rwd/ffd buttons do not stay latched, you have to keep them held down. Otherwise it's in great condition and sounds lush.

Anyone know how to fix that?

Looks like a mechanical switch system? I would look at false triggering from the cassette end stop function. I have no experience with this machine, but insuring that dried lubrication is not creating enough drag on the transport to initiate the tape stop function might be a good start. My other thought is that if the stop sensor is logic derived (as opposed to a loaded switch or slip clutch) that the failure could stem from wonkey power rail or BBQ'd logic gates.

post edit:

I think some systems use a lamp that shines through a filter driven by the hub that will interrupt the light hitting an LDR attached to a counter/oscillator/something. In the event the state changes (light turning on and off) stop coming, logic initiates a stop transport command. So, in this sort of system you want to make sure your light has not burnt out.

I hauled home an Otari MX5050 MKIII-4 half inch four track in currently inoperable condition today.
Appears some control logic is latched, the capstan isn't spinning up (I'm hoping this is tied to the logic issue), some gummy lubrication, sounds of struggle on the take up motor (hoping it's a maladjusted brake), and a complete lack of rubber on the pinch roller.