Removing or replacing the left and right panel boards in the TEO 5 is easy and only requires a screwdriver.
Tools needed: Phillips head screwdriver.
Getting inside the TEO 5:
1. First, unplug all Power/MIDI/USB/audio cables.
2. To remove the panel boards you'll first need to remove all of the knobs.
3. To remove the knobs, pull straight up. DO NOT twist the knobs. They are tight but not attached so they just slide on and off by hand.
4. If it is difficult to remove the knobs, a flathead screwdriver wrapped with a thin layer of duct tape or masking tape can be used to assist you. The tape will protect both the top panel and the knob from damage. Slide the screwdriver between the bottom center of the knob and the top panel (as pictured below). Turn the screwdriver a small amount. Only a slight twist is required. Once the knob has moved a short distance it is easily removed by hand. Repeat the process as necessary.
2. Flip the TEO 5 upside down onto something soft, such as a strip of bubble wrap or a towel.
3. You'll see there are three screws on each side securing the plastic end caps to the bottom metalwork. Remove these screws.
4. Flip the unit back over into its normal position and lift the side panels up and out to free them.
5. Remove the 5 screws along the upper back of the synth.
6. Lift up the top metalwork and place it behind the bottom metalwork, on something soft such as a strip of bubble wrap or a towel. Be careful not to stress the single ribbon cable that connects the top and bottom of the synth.
Removing the left panel board:
1. The left panel board has 4 connections to it. Please follow the directions below for removing these cables.
2. Start by locating the long ribbon cable that connects the main board to the left panel board. There is a thin, black locking tab on each connector that holds the ribbon cable in. The tab can be easily opened by gently lifting up on each end with your fingernails. The locking connectors don't come out completely, they are fully unlocked after moving ~3 millimeters. On the left panel board, gently lift the locking connector out of place and remove the ribbon cable. When reinstalling the ribbon cable, make sure the tabs are open, slide the cable back into the slot, then close the tabs when the ribbon is fully inserted as shown in the animation below.
3. Locate the small white ribbon cable that connects the two panel boards together. Using the same technique as above, gently unlock the black locking tab, first on the left panel board side, then slide the cable out. Perform the same function for the right side of the ribbon cable. When reinstalling the cable, make sure that the black tab is unlocked, then slide the ribbon cable into place and lock the connectors.
4. Disconnect the pitch and mod wheel connectors by pulling straight up on the white square plastic connector. Be sure to grasp the cables at the connector with your forefinger and thumb. DO NOT pull on the cables themselves.
5. Remove the 15 silver screws securing the left panel to the metalwork.
6. Reinstall the panel board PCB in reverse order.
Removing the right panel board:
1. The right panel board has 2 connections to it. Please follow the directions below for removing these cables.
2. First is the short ribbon that connects the left and right panel boards together. Again, the thin black locking tab on each connector that holds the ribbon cable in can be easily opened by gently lifting up on each end with your fingernails. The locking connectors don't come out completely, they are fully unlocked after moving ~3 millimeters. On the right panel board side, gently push the locking connector out of place and remove the ribbon cable. When reinstalling the ribbon cable, make sure the tabs are open, slide the cable back into the slot, then close the tabs when the ribbon is fully inserted.
6. Remove the 12 silver screws holding the panel PCB in place and carefully free the right panel PCB from the metalwork.
7. Reinstall the right panel PCB and reassemble the unit in reverse order.
Reinstalling the top panel and plastic sides:
1. There is a small metal tab on each side of the TEO 5 that latches the top and bottom metal together.
2. Place the top metal panel onto the unit and line up the small tab with the cutout in the bottom metal. Slide the top panel down so the tab latches underneath the bottom metal as shown below.
3. Each side panel has three lower screw slots and four upper plastic tabs.
4. Hook the upper plastic tabs into place at an angle, then push the lower screw slots into place. The side panels will click into place with a light amount of pressure.
5. While holding the side panels, flip the unit over onto something soft, like a strip of bubblewrap or a towel. Reinsert the three screws on each side to secure the plastic panels.
Please contact Oberheim Technical Support if you have any questions regarding this procedure.