Awesome video!! Thanks! I still have my original new S50 & S550. I’ve never noticed the relay pops. Guess I’d better open her up & take a look. I have the USB Floppy emulator, just haven’t installed it yet. I have all the original S50 factory disks, just haven’t created disk images yet. (I need to install it, my original floppy drive loads disks, but it won’t format a blank floppy anymore.)
I like the secondary PSU mods. I have a Korg T1 longterm resto/mod project - that keyboard has got VOLUMES of empty space inside - I am considering adding some devices to it and powering it from the internal PSU (which BTW died so have to mod it anyway), but your additional AC/DC adapter seems like a better solution. One thing I would do differently in your mod is to add sockets for monitor video/power out, so the monitor position would not be limited by the length of the cables out of S50, but I can see why this works as is for you. Thank you for sharing! PS USB floppy drive replacement mod is probably the BEST upgrade for any 80's synth/sampler 😀
All these additional PSUs can be easily replaced with only one modern substitute for the factory PSU, which will be far more compact and powerful. Free space can be used for a more compact VGA card. And you will have a beautiful instrument not only outside, but also inside. There are also black 720 Goteks.
I know - I should probably do a new revision of this. When I first converted the floppy the Black Gotek didn't exist for the S-50, but now there are so many better options. Good idea on the power supply - I might try that.
@@johnnymorgansynthdreams these all are of course important improvements, but I'm wondering if there is any fantom possibility to expand the memory in the S-50 and modify the OS like people do for, say, Yamaha TX16W or Akais. I remember also that if we speak about Z80 based systems, people doubled the speed of CPU and added the RAM in the late 80s without major problems. There is the Pandora box for this really underrated sampler!
That'd be amazing. I'm sure it's possible as it's there. It's a mystery as to why it never was activated - I've tried to find info on it and nobody knows a thing about why it was dropped from development but still added to the PCB layout and populated.
hi johnny please help ive bnought a s50 sampler with a gotek drive the one without the rotory nob it loads the s50 version 2 operating system when you switch on.it loads a few patches but im not sure how to load a disk from the gotek im very frustrated this keyboard wasnt cheap and i would love to use it properly thankyou so much.regards steve.
Sure I can help Steven. Drop me an email found on my about section. We can then schedule a zoom call or something like that. The main thing to understand with Gotek is that it's sort of independant from the sampler. You have to load files into the Gotek memory, then you load into the sampler - sort of a 2-step process.
Wow that would be awesome. I’ve never soldered but I work in hvac and can braze, going to practice before trying. Something good to learn and it’s about time. I got this S50 4 years ago and would be happy to finally have it working. The keybed feels absolutely amazing (?!)
@@kevinhuman6275 Ok sounds good. The Relay was mailed off a few hours ago, so you should have it in about a week. Once it arrives, ping me and I'll jump on a zoom cal with you to guid you through the process. I may have a video made by then as well I can send you. ok cheers!
Nice video. Thanks for uploading! Question for you and anyone else on here... my S-50 has been great for a long time but recently upon startup it takes about 10 minutes for any sound to be produced. I know when it's ready because there is an audible pop. Once that happens, it plays like new... good strong signal and no distortion. Any ideas? Is there a component in the audio path that needs to "warm up" as it slowly dies? Thanks!
Hi Steven - here's my suggestion to figure out what this is. Purchase some "cold spray" at a local electronics parts dealer such as MG Chemicals 'Super Cold'. I like this brand as it has a nozzle attachment to focus the spray. Once the unit turns warms up and starts working, one by one spray the top of each component. I'd start with the op amps in the audio output area which is on the left most circuit board. if the unit stops making sound, you've found your bad chip. This is a pretty common way to find heat faults on ICs.
@@johnnymorgansynthdreams Hi Johhny. So I tried cold air on the audio board but couldnt get it to fail. So, sprayed a little Deoxit into the relay, let it dry and waited for the unit to cool completely (a couple hours) and the sound is back to coming on immediately upon power up. Cant explain why this worked, but it did! Instead of replacing the relay when the sound began to distort several years ago, I removed the plastic cover form the relay and over a period of about 2 weeks sprayed just a bit of Deoxit every couple days into the relay and would then hold a key down at maximum volume (amp off to save my sanity) for an hour or two (used a business card between the keys to hold it down). After performing this a half dozen times over two weeks, the distortion issue was gone and the sound has been crystal clear since. I ordered the kit you installed in your S-50 but ended up not needing to go through with it. We will see how long it lasts. Been about 3 yrs so far and no distortion yet. Steve
@@stevengasiecki8826 Ok that makes sense - that relay is the source of so many problems. I will fail again eventually as the contacts oxidize. I do make replacement relays if you want a full replacement - I'll have a few more up on ebay within a week or so - just waiting for more parts to arrive.
Hi Thomas - the monitor was this one. www.ebay.com/itm/9-HD-Ultra-Thin-TFT-LCD-Color-HD-CCTV-Monitor-HDMI-VGA-AV-w-Speaker-Adapter/272026367629?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649. I'll check on the Gotek. It was one of the early ones, so I'll have to confirm. There are ones now you can get with firmware already flashed for Roland so you don't have to remove the USB stick each time you change patches.
Hi Devon - it's just a mini 7" LCD 12V powered monitor ordered from ebay. There's many of them up there. The key is the GBS video board you have to install - but I think for the S330 there may be not enough space inside. You'll probably have to use an external scart adpater box of some sort.
yes - it's the GBS-8200 board - here's the link www.ebay.com/itm/HD-Game-Converter-Board-CGA-RGB-YUV-EGA-to-VGA-GBS-8200-Promotion/182387725526?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225074%26meid%3D2254be51735a4b0db9ff218f4dcc8487%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D180833084570%26itm%3D182387725526%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithBBEV2bDemotion&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
Awesome video!! Thanks! I still have my original new S50 & S550.
I’ve never noticed the relay pops. Guess I’d better open her up & take a look.
I have the USB Floppy emulator, just haven’t installed it yet. I have all the original S50 factory disks, just haven’t created disk images yet. (I need to install it, my original floppy drive loads disks, but it won’t format a blank floppy anymore.)
Amazing that you have the whole library on floppies - a great resource.
Just got my relay from you, bought on ebay! Thank you! ❤ you're the best!
Good luck with the install - I can give you soldering tips if you wish - johnnymorgan808@me.com
How did everything go for you Rasmus?
I like the secondary PSU mods. I have a Korg T1 longterm resto/mod project - that keyboard has got VOLUMES of empty space inside - I am considering adding some devices to it and powering it from the internal PSU (which BTW died so have to mod it anyway), but your additional AC/DC adapter seems like a better solution. One thing I would do differently in your mod is to add sockets for monitor video/power out, so the monitor position would not be limited by the length of the cables out of S50, but I can see why this works as is for you. Thank you for sharing!
PS
USB floppy drive replacement mod is probably the BEST upgrade for any 80's synth/sampler 😀
Yes- i might redo the vid with proper monitor plugs - it would be much better and safer.
All these additional PSUs can be easily replaced with only one modern substitute for the factory PSU, which will be far more compact and powerful. Free space can be used for a more compact VGA card. And you will have a beautiful instrument not only outside, but also inside. There are also black 720 Goteks.
I know - I should probably do a new revision of this. When I first converted the floppy the Black Gotek didn't exist for the S-50, but now there are so many better options. Good idea on the power supply - I might try that.
@@johnnymorgansynthdreams these all are of course important improvements, but I'm wondering if there is any fantom possibility to expand the memory in the S-50 and modify the OS like people do for, say, Yamaha TX16W or Akais. I remember also that if we speak about Z80 based systems, people doubled the speed of CPU and added the RAM in the late 80s without major problems. There is the Pandora box for this really underrated sampler!
well done !
how about a mod to get the scsi connector to work? how about that huh. 🤨
That'd be amazing. I'm sure it's possible as it's there. It's a mystery as to why it never was activated - I've tried to find info on it and nobody knows a thing about why it was dropped from development but still added to the PCB layout and populated.
good, i have to fix the bad sound relay problem
I have one for sale on Ebay
I'm just building more - I'll have a link on ebay soon
Hey Hexasonic - have some more relays on ebay now if you still need one.
@@johnnymorgansynthdreams I'm interested in one! My S50 sounds terrible at the moment! :)
@@RasmusCarlson Hey Rasmus - I sell them on ebay. Search for S-50 Relay and I'll send one out to you.
hi johnny please help ive bnought a s50 sampler with a gotek drive the one without the rotory nob it loads the s50 version 2 operating system when you switch on.it loads a few patches but im not sure how to load a disk from the gotek im very frustrated this keyboard wasnt cheap and i would love to use it properly thankyou so much.regards steve.
Sure I can help Steven. Drop me an email found on my about section. We can then schedule a zoom call or something like that. The main thing to understand with Gotek is that it's sort of independant from the sampler. You have to load files into the Gotek memory, then you load into the sampler - sort of a 2-step process.
I’m working on fixing my S50 now that doesn’t have any sound output. It said it was this relay thing online. Now I’m wondering how to replace
Hi Kevin - I got your relay order and will ship it out tomorrow. I can walk you through the replacement if you have basic soldering skills.
Wow that would be awesome. I’ve never soldered but I work in hvac and can braze, going to practice before trying. Something good to learn and it’s about time. I got this S50 4 years ago and would be happy to finally have it working. The keybed feels absolutely amazing (?!)
@@kevinhuman6275 Ok sounds good. The Relay was mailed off a few hours ago, so you should have it in about a week. Once it arrives, ping me and I'll jump on a zoom cal with you to guid you through the process. I may have a video made by then as well I can send you. ok cheers!
Nice video. Thanks for uploading! Question for you and anyone else on here... my S-50 has been great for a long time but recently upon startup it takes about 10 minutes for any sound to be produced. I know when it's ready because there is an audible pop. Once that happens, it plays like new... good strong signal and no distortion. Any ideas? Is there a component in the audio path that needs to "warm up" as it slowly dies? Thanks!
Hi Steven - here's my suggestion to figure out what this is. Purchase some "cold spray" at a local electronics parts dealer such as MG Chemicals 'Super Cold'. I like this brand as it has a nozzle attachment to focus the spray. Once the unit turns warms up and starts working, one by one spray the top of each component. I'd start with the op amps in the audio output area which is on the left most circuit board. if the unit stops making sound, you've found your bad chip. This is a pretty common way to find heat faults on ICs.
@@johnnymorgansynthdreams Thanks! I'll let you know if it works. :)
@@johnnymorgansynthdreams Hi Johhny. So I tried cold air on the audio board but couldnt get it to fail. So, sprayed a little Deoxit into the relay, let it dry and waited for the unit to cool completely (a couple hours) and the sound is back to coming on immediately upon power up. Cant explain why this worked, but it did!
Instead of replacing the relay when the sound began to distort several years ago, I removed the plastic cover form the relay and over a period of about 2 weeks sprayed just a bit of Deoxit every couple days into the relay and would then hold a key down at maximum volume (amp off to save my sanity) for an hour or two (used a business card between the keys to hold it down). After performing this a half dozen times over two weeks, the distortion issue was gone and the sound has been crystal clear since. I ordered the kit you installed in your S-50 but ended up not needing to go through with it. We will see how long it lasts. Been about 3 yrs so far and no distortion yet.
Steve
@@stevengasiecki8826 Ok that makes sense - that relay is the source of so many problems. I will fail again eventually as the contacts oxidize. I do make replacement relays if you want a full replacement - I'll have a few more up on ebay within a week or so - just waiting for more parts to arrive.
how did you learn about all this stuff?
Could you tell me what kind monitor that is and where to get it. Also I just bought the Gotek drive emulator sfrc922D is that the same one you use?
Hi Thomas - the monitor was this one. www.ebay.com/itm/9-HD-Ultra-Thin-TFT-LCD-Color-HD-CCTV-Monitor-HDMI-VGA-AV-w-Speaker-Adapter/272026367629?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649. I'll check on the Gotek. It was one of the early ones, so I'll have to confirm. There are ones now you can get with firmware already flashed for Roland so you don't have to remove the USB stick each time you change patches.
What type of monitor is that? Will it work for a s330 ??
Hi Devon - it's just a mini 7" LCD 12V powered monitor ordered from ebay. There's many of them up there. The key is the GBS video board you have to install - but I think for the S330 there may be not enough space inside. You'll probably have to use an external scart adpater box of some sort.
Johnny Morgan I’ve ordered the board and a din connecter to connect to the 330
Wish me luck dude lol
@@devondetroit2529 I'll help you with it - just ping me if you have any questions
Do you know where I could obtain a floppy emulator for my Roland S10 sampling keyboard?
Apparently 2.8" QD support has now been added to the Gotek Floppy emulator. torlus.com/floppy/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=773&start=435#p21473
quickdisk suck 😆
Could you share the eBay item number for the video board?
yes - it's the GBS-8200 board - here's the link
www.ebay.com/itm/HD-Game-Converter-Board-CGA-RGB-YUV-EGA-to-VGA-GBS-8200-Promotion/182387725526?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225074%26meid%3D2254be51735a4b0db9ff218f4dcc8487%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D180833084570%26itm%3D182387725526%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithBBEV2bDemotion&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
hookup instructions can be found on this site:
llamamusic.com/s50s550/DIY_page.html