Darkstar crackling problem when disconnected from everything

I think I've bought a duffer.

When playing long sustained pads the sound breaks up into a crackle between both stereo channels. Shorter sounds I don't notice this so much.

I've unplugged it from everything (no audio outs, no USB just power and headphones) and the issue is still there.

Originally I thought this a problem with my Audio Interface and ADAT causing the problem but it seems not.

I have read on this forum about voltage regulators and capacitors breaking and causing this but I'm no synth repair man although I can solder, and do have a multimeter.

Anybody have experience of how to troubleshoot this ?

I'd rather not get into a debate with the vendor from ebay and the listing did state that he "would not take returns"...although I have contacted him for his stance.

Cheers.

Rob.

Yet again - this forum proves to be the most friendly and helpful ones that I've ever come across.

abraxa I'll certainly provide an audio sample just as soon as I've finished work and have some time at the Virus - how would you like this delivered ? - Can it be uploaded here ?

Zitat von abraxa

Please also perform the following test:

- Leave Virus off for 30 minutes

- Turn Virus on and play the sustained pad that causes the crackling

- Leave Virus on for 30 minutes

- Play the sustained pad again

I will certainly do so - just as soon as I'm free from the shackles of work.

I'd like to keep it - it's pretty much an immaculate Darkstar.

Incidentally - as far as I can see, one the seller lists the item as 'Refunds not accepted' when one tries to click on 'return item' (which is the only route to get to their resolution centre) it allows you to type your reason for return etc but the box to actually send it is greyed out so there is no way to progress it.

If it's a simple fix with the soldering iron and a 5v VRM I'm up to the job but will obviously liaise with the seller who will probably browsing this forum anyway looking for an answer - in fact I know he is ! I don't believe this was intentional on his part - I've spoken at length with him on the phone and he's a genuine guy. I'd rather keep it.

Zitat von Lioio

If it's on a certain sound: this happens in extreme cases, during the MID EQ (19/24Hz) + EQ Mid Gain (+16 db) + LOW EQ on +16 Db/458Hz with Release Env Amp >120

I'll check that - it is certain sounds... Thanks.

Lioio

Mid Eq = 1024 Hz

Mid Eq = Gain Off

Low EQ = Gain Off

Low EQ = 78Hz

Release Env Amp = 80

Seems to be well within the parameters specified ?

Zitat von abraxa

Please also perform the following test:

- Leave Virus off for 30 minutes

- Turn Virus on and play the sustained pad that causes the crackling

- Leave Virus on for 30 minutes

- Play the sustained pad again

When boes the crackling appear? Immediately after starting from cold? Does it become worse after 30 minutes? Does it stay the same?

As you can probably guess, I want to see if temperature plays a role. There's a 5V regulator on the main board that runs too hot because Access didn't give it a big enough heat sink. That regulator feeds the output circuitry, so it's plausible that it needs replacement. However, it would suck if you'd replace it only to find that it's something else. Unlikely from my point of view, but possible. Hence why going the return route *may* make more sense.

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abraxa - I left it off all afternoon and just fired it up - the crackling is evident from the first chord that I played.

I'll leave it on for a while now and keep testing but it does seem to be there from cold.

I'll record and example into Cubase now using the Audio outs - still not sure how I can share ? - Please advise.

Cheers.

Rob.

abraxa Crackles recorded here:

Crackles – Google Drive

As you see - not all the time and sometimes when the display is indicating only 3/5 on the "stressometer" - it's totally at random but not something I can record with. Admittedly it's a complex patch with 6 notes but my TI2 61 note handles this patch without an issue.

Is the polar hardware lesser ?

Zitat von Lioio

yes.

for attachment it 's Here: Smiles/ Attachments/ Settings

You need before to compress your audio to ".zip"

I posted a link above to my google drive with the offending crackles - please click !

Zitat von Lioio

No crackling heard in your example So it's not the VIRUS test your VIRUS by plugging it into a friend's house

You need better headphones my friend - go back and listen again. I'm not sure how you CANT hear that - particularly at the end.

OK - so I managed to reproduce this on my other virus. It doesn't give up anywhere near as quickly as the DarkStar indicating that there must be some kind of HW difference between the two units despite my belief that they should be indentical - they clearly are not. The TI2 61 has apparently more processing power ?

The TI2 handles the patch as a SPLIT playing other parts as well and has to be really pushed to break up, the DS gives up much sooner. Anyway I'm satisfied that the HW is OK which I'm very relieved about.

Thank you all for your inputs as always.

Much appreciated.

Yup I have a TI2 61 key and a TI2 Darkstar. The TI2 61 seems to handle this patch better than the DS for some reason.

Zitat von abraxa

The link with the recordings unfortunately doesn't work for me - I receive a 404 error message.

Yes - I removed it from my google drive. Satisfied that it's not a HW error now although there are differences between the two. If I push the TI2 61 it also breaks up with this patch, just doesn't seem to do it so readily, but it does do it. Clearly the virus doesn't like this patch much which surprises me - I thought the TI2 could handle pretty much anything. I was wrong.

I reduced the volume a lot and still got the break up - more inclined to think that its maxing the DSPs out but they're not at a full 5 bars when it breaks up. It's weird, but does it on both Virus' so Im content that it'n not a duff unit which was my main concern.