New Ax Synth, problem with pitch bend/modulation controller.

Forum for AX series synths and keytars and all things for those who love that "on the shoulder" look.
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Marko5657
Posts: 2
Joined: 23:32, 7 May 2012

New Ax Synth, problem with pitch bend/modulation controller.

Post by Marko5657 »

It worked fine for a bit, but now when I pitch bend up, the note doesn’t come back.

Sometimes when I hit the modulation it pitch bends up.

I reset it to factory default, but no help. On the editor it says pitch bend is being received.

I had it a couple weeks and got rid of the box, and am just looking for advice, or if there’s something I can do here for fix this here.

Thanks so much.
Marko5657
Posts: 2
Joined: 23:32, 7 May 2012

Re: New Ax Synth, problem with pitch bend/modulation control

Post by Marko5657 »

I bought this for my buddy to use in the band we’re putting together, and he was the one explaining what’s happening with it.

He called me later and got some purchasing information and was contacting Roland. I’ll find out a bit later what’s going on.

Would one imagine them sending/selling us that part? Would it be a part a person could install themselves, or have to take it to some service center?

Any knowledge on the subject much appreciated.
RJW
Posts: 2
Joined: 01:01, 3 January 2013

Re: New Ax Synth, problem with pitch bend/modulation control

Post by RJW »

I have the same problem with my new/used ax. Would be interested in your remade. Thanks in advance. RJ
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v0idation
Posts: 2
Joined: 15:15, 30 May 2013

Re: New Ax Synth, problem with pitch bend/modulation control

Post by v0idation »

Same problem here. It turned out the pitch bend ribbon was faulty. I had to send the AX away to be fixed. Now it's four months of gigging later, and I think it's gone again. Major bummer. This time I'm going to try to do it myself - part available from Syntaur (http://www.syntaur.com/3308.html). Looks like this is a weakness in these instruments.







My rig:
Yamaha Motif-7 and SY-85, Roland VP-500 and AX-Synth
RJW
Posts: 2
Joined: 01:01, 3 January 2013

Re: New Ax Synth, problem with pitch bend/modulation control

Post by RJW »

I got Modulation bar and pitch bend ribbon from Roland. Ribbon was about $22 Mod bar about $4.60. I did the repair. All it was the MOD Bar had broke and was pushing on the bottom of the ribbon. I'm sure that if it had gone too long it would have damaged the ribbon. I was lucky and now have the ribbon that came with my parts order from Roland as a backup. I believe that I broke the MOD BAR by firm grip on the neck across the bar when removing the instrument from playing position. It seems to be the natural place to grab but IT IS THE WRONG PLACE. I have a Liberation and it was the natural place to grab on it also but it would not damage a Lib. The mod bar has a very thin piece of plastic flex point inside the AX that will not take even minimal amount of SIDE pressure when squeezing the neck for anything other than play manipulation. It will not stand up to holding and squeezing to support the AX. hope this will help. RJ..
Kmack
Posts: 1
Joined: 20:19, 21 October 2013

Re: New Ax Synth, problem with pitch bend/modulation control

Post by Kmack »

I have just replaced my modulation bar for the third time and have two more on order for backup because I know they are going to break. This is a major design flaw and Roland needs to fix it. They upgraded the bar by making the plastic thicker, and the bar will still break. There might be a couple of things they could do to correct this. One would be to replace the the two strips made of plastic that connect to the bar itself with a type of flexible metal. Second, they could install a break to prevent too much bend. I really hope they correct this. I have two ax1's and have had no problem with either.
Stv1
Posts: 2
Joined: 03:04, 1 February 2014

Re: New Ax Synth, problem with pitch bend/modulation control

Post by Stv1 »

Marko

did you find a fix for the ribbon/Mod issue?

Im having similar prblms now,,, hesitate taking the thing apart,,,, It needs a new ribbon sensor

thanks
Stv
gerry535
Posts: 2
Joined: 12:01, 10 February 2014

Re: New Ax Synth, problem with ribbon connector

Post by gerry535 »

Hi Guys!

I'm new here and i just want to ask if where i can buy or order RIBBON CONNECTOR for my AX-SYNTH?
I've Already Ordered MOD BAR and RIBBON SENSOR at SYNTAUR.COM but they dont have ribbon connector.
I want to replace all ribbon connector inside my ax-synth and im doing it just by myself.(to avoid shipping it for repair)
I'm from philippines and we dont have any roland service center here so pls help me guys..anyway i'd like to share some of my humble keytar covers to all of you guys..

Thanks,
Gerry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQt9q8ii ... 2lEtNr23sQ :Hotel California
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scrwp5U6 ... 2lEtNr23sQ :For The Love Of God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC8kHhGC ... 2lEtNr23sQ :Sweet Child Of Mine
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Tuomas Easton
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Joined: 21:00, 9 March 2014
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Re: New Ax Synth, problem with pitch bend/modulation control

Post by Tuomas Easton »

I have the Ax-7 and have had this same problem for a while now. I took it to get repaired, $300 later.. he replaced the ribbon, and the problem still didn't go away.. He then said it's probably something to do with the roland mother board in the keytar, and that it would be about $500 to replace it.. so I've just learned to deal with it for now.

I love playing keytar, but I wish roland would have made these better quality instead of a plastic toy. I've since started building my own custom keytars out of wood, so hopefully they will hold up better.

-Tuomas Easton
The Keytar Guy
http://www.tuomaseaston.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/TuomasEastonOfficial/videos
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