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OB-X8 Troubleshooting Guide

  • Updated

If the unit is not booting:

CHECK BOOTLOADER OPERATION AND RELOAD OS

  1. Hold both the low C + E keys and power the synth on.
  2. You should see ‘recovery mode’ text displayed on screen indicating bootloader mode is active.
  3. Send the main OS file to the synth via the MIDI IN port (USB cannot be used in bootloader).

OS File Download

 

If the unit boots but has an issue, perform initial settings first:

INITIAL SETTINGS

  1. Start by removing all connections (MIDI/USB, pedals, audio) from the rear of the instrument except for power.
  2. Reset global parameters: hold WRITE and press GLOBAL. No confirmation of the reset will be shown on-screen, but the global parameters will be set to the factory default.
  3. Initialize a basic program: hold WRITE and press MANUAL.
  4. Connect a set of headphones to the headphone output.

Next, proceed to the appropriate section below according to the issue described:

I. Audio Issues (voices not triggering or not sounding correctly)

A. Perform Initial Settings

  1. Verify if the issue is still present. If so, proceed to step B.

B. Full Oscillator/Filter Calibration

  1. Start Full Calibration: Press GLOBAL, use the bank encoder to scroll to ‘Full Calibration’, then press WRITE.
  2. Calibration will start and progress will be shown on the screen.
  3. If a particular stage fails, it will be held on the display at the end of the calibration process.
  4. If calibration completes and the instrument returns to normal operation, reconnect audio cables to the instrument’s main outputs.
  5. Verify if the issue is still present. If so, proceed to sections C or D based on the problem description.

C. Distortion In Audio Outputs

  1. Is distortion present on headphone output?
  2. If no distortion is present on headphone output, verify correct cables are in use (TS unbalanced) and that the instrument is connected to the appropriate audio interface/mixer input (Line level input/instrument input).
  3. If distortion is still present, check the instrument with another set of cables and audio interface/mixer inputs.
  4. If distortion is still present on the Main L/R outputs, reduce VOLUME to below 50%. If distortion ceases, this indicates that repair is necessary.

D. Output Level Mismatch

  1. Differences in output level between the left and right main outputs of 1-2dB are within expected tolerances. This is due to the analog nature of the amplifier circuitry in our instruments. Voice to voice difference within 1-2dB are also within expected tolerance. 

II. Tuning Issues

A. Perform Initial Settings

  1. Verify if the issue is still present. If so, proceed to B and C. If the issue is still present after steps B and C, proceed to step D.

B. Lever Calibration

  1. Press GLOBAL and use the bank encoder to scroll to ‘Lever Calibration’.
  2. Hold both levers in the low position, then press WRITE. The display will then advance to the next position.
  3. Release both levers to the middle position, then press WRITE. The display will then advance to the final position.
  4. Hold both levers in the high position, then press WRITE. The display will jump out of the Global menu, indicating that calibration is complete.

C. Oscillator Calibration

  • The 'Tune' button allows you to quickly calibrate the oscillators.
  1. Start Calibration: Press TUNE. Wait for the routine to finish.
  2. Check if the tuning is immediately better after completing calibration. If so, run calibration over a larger range of operating temperatures.
  3. Repeat calibration whenever you notice tuning instability: upon power on, after it's been on for a period of time, and when there is any environmental/temperature change. Over time and as a larger number of calibrations are run, you should not need to calibrate as often.
  • If calibration does not complete successfully, check the FILTER input on the rear of the unit. If a pedal is connected, remove the pedal are attempt calibration again.

 

D. Clear Oscillator/Filter Calibration

  1. Clear Calibration: Enter the DEBUG menu by holding TRANSPOSE UP + DOWN and pressing GLOBAL.
  2. Make sure the first option, ‘Clear Cal’ is selected, then press WRITE.
  3. The display will exit the debug menu, indicating that calibration has been cleared.
  • Note that no on-screen confirmation of the clearing will be displayed.
  • After clearing calibration, be sure to run the ‘Full Calibration’ option from the Global Menu.

III. MIDI Issues

A. Perform Initial Settings

  1. Verify if the issue is still present. If so, depending on the description of the problem, proceed to step B, C, and D.

B. Instrument Not Outputting MIDI

  1. Press GLOBAL and use the bank encoder to scroll to ‘MIDI Out Cable’. Verify it is set to the port being used to transmit MIDI data.
  2. If it is not set to the correct port, use the GROUP encoder to set MIDI OUT to USB, MIDI, or ALL.
  3. Press GLOBAL to exit globals.

C. Instrument's Voice Count is Halved

  1. Check for a MIDI feedback loop. When the synth is actively connected to a DAW via USB or MIDI, turn LOCAL CONTROL off with steps 2-4.
  2. Press the GLOBAL and use the bank encoder to scroll to ‘Local Control’.
  3. Use the group encoder to set LOCAL CONTROL to OFF.
  4. Press GLOBAL to exit globals.
  5. Check if the issue occurs over headphones, connected directly to the headphone output jack.

D. Pots Not Updating Correctly

  1. This is due to a MIDI feedback loop. When the synth is actively connected to a DAW via USB or MIDI, turn LOCAL CONTROL off with steps C2-4.

IV. Button Issues

A. Perform Initial Settings

  1. Verify if the issue is still present. If so, proceed to step B.

B. Switch Cleaning Routine

  1. The buttons on our instruments are self-cleaning. In most cases, buttons that are intermittent/non-operative can be resolved by being fully depressed 50-100 times.
  2. If the operation improves but is still intermittent, repeat step B1.

V. Pot Issues

A. Perform Initial Settings

  1. Verify if the issue is still present. If so, depending on the description of the problem, proceed to step B or C.

B. Pot/parameter Value Changes On Its Own

  1. Turn the pot back and forth across its full range of travel 10-20 times.
  2. Set pot to minimum or maximum setting and check whether pot/parameter continues to change on its own.
  3. If it does not, set the pot to its midpoint and check whether the pot/parameter continues to change on its own.
  4. If the parameter continues to change on its own, the pot requires replacement.

VI. Keybed Issues

A. Perform Initial Settings

  1. Verify if the issue is still present. If so, proceed to step B.

B. Key Contact Cleaning

  1. Fully depress the key in question.
  2. Press the key into the aftertouch circuit with a good deal of force.
  3. Wiggle the key and release.
  4. Repeat steps 1-3 until the key operates as expected.

HOTKEYS

Basic Patch: Hold WRITE and press MANUAL.

Reset Globals: Hold WRITE and press GLOBAL.

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