HOMO ELECTROMAGNETICUS
Replacing the sliders in an Ensoniq VFX series synthesizer
These instructions were written based on the SD-1, but the process is
nearly identical for the VFX and VFX-SD.
First, some replacement sliders are necessary. One can get them from
Syntaur of course, but they are 10x the price from an equivalent on
Mouser or some other popular electronic parts retailer. The sliders
are a fairly standard 60mm model. The originals are 5K linear but 10k
linear sliders are easier to get and work just the same. Bourns makes
a nice part
with part number PTA6043-2015CPB103 that's available
cheaply on Digi-Key.
First, remove the four allen screws holding the top cover on, pull
off the plastic caps for the sliders, and open the synthesizer. It's
easy to lose little parts like screws and caps, so keep them safe so
that they do not run away!
The sliders are on the display / interface board that's mounted to
the top face of the synthesizer. On the SD-1, this board has a
cardboard cover, pictured below:
Remove all of the screws that hold the cardboard to the display /
interface board.
One should be able to simply pull the board away from the front cover
at this point. Be careful not to lose any button caps that may fall
when removing the board.
When the board is free, unplug the two connectors that attach it to
rest of the synthesizer. Be careful and use a thin, flat tool to
release the latches that lock the connectors.
The sliders are labeled with silkscreen on the board:
Use your favorite desoldering technique and pull the solder from
the sliders so that they can be removed. Be patient and do not use a
lot of force to pull the sliders out. Too much force, and the PCB
tracks may rip up.
Now comes the fun part. The sliders available cheaply on Digi-Key or
Mouser may have bent "legs" that won't fit in the PCB right. Some
sliders also have other small metal features that get in the way.
Simply bend their "legs" into the right shape to fit into the place
where the old sliders sat and / or clip off the small metal features.
The sliders should now fit nicely into the existing PCB holes. If the
"legs" are too wide, they may need a careful trimming with a good pair
of diagonal cutters. Now they just need to be soldered in!
From here, simply re-assemble the synth.
The worst part of reassembly is the buttons that border the display.
With a little finesse, it's possible to get them all lined up properly.
The slider caps will take a bit of force to get on the new sliders, but
try to refrain from bringing out a hammer.