Today I wanted to pull my Roland SC-20 sound module out of the garage and play some MIDIs with it. I plugged it into the wall and USB today and it was completely dead, using either USB or DC power.

I'm pretty frustrated because this is one of the very few items I have that keeps me connected to my 20s, and it's dead. I normally don't get very attached to electronics at all, but I think music is a bit different.

So I'm now wondering if I spend more money to buy a new sound module, that I don't have a connection to my past, or if I attempt to hack on it and look for some DC fuse, or just call it a loss.

Any thoughts or ideas?
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On 21 Sep 2022 at 03:58p, bbspat pondered and said...

I'm pretty frustrated because this is one of the very few items I have that keeps me connected to my 20s, and it's dead. I normally don't get very attached to electronics at all, but I think music is a bit
different.

I can relate to the feeling of loss when something you're attached to like this no longer works.. :(

So I'm now wondering if I spend more money to buy a new sound module,
that I don't have a connection to my past, or if I attempt to hack on it and look for some DC fuse, or just call it a loss.

Any thoughts or ideas?

Prob some sleuthing online would be a good starting place before you do anything.

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Today I wanted to pull my Roland SC-20 sound module out of the garage and play some MIDIs with it. I plugged it into the wall and USB today and it was completely dead, using either USB or DC power.

First places I would look, although unlikely will be that fuse if it has one
in there. After that have a look at the voltage regulator, it'll probably
have one followed by obviously sad capacitors.

Spec


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So I'm now wondering if I spend more money to buy a new sound module,
that I don't have a connection to my past, or if I attempt to hack on it and look for some DC fuse, or just call it a loss.

It's at least worth having someone with an electronics background take a look. It may be something simple. It may just need a recap. You never know. Certainly don't throw it away!

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Re: Premature Electronic Death
By: bbspat to All on Wed Sep 21 2022 15:58:05

Today I wanted to pull my Roland SC-20 sound module out of the garage and play some MIDIs with it. I plugged it into the
wall and USB today and it was completely dead, using either USB or DC power.

chances are that some caps have blown. open it up and follow the power from the input jack :D

could also be something as simple as a messed up power switch :D

regars
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On Wed, 21 Sep 2022 15:58:05 -0700
"bbspat" <bbspat@21:4/163> wrote:

Today I wanted to pull my Roland SC-20 sound module out of the garage
and play some MIDIs with it. I plugged it into the wall and USB today
and it was completely dead, using either USB or DC power.

I'm pretty frustrated because this is one of the very few items I
have that keeps me connected to my 20s, and it's dead. I normally
don't get very attached to electronics at all, but I think music is a
bit different.

So I'm now wondering if I spend more money to buy a new sound module,
that I don't have a connection to my past, or if I attempt to hack on
it and look for some DC fuse, or just call it a loss.

If it's been stored for a long time and it's somewhat old, I'd suspect
you have a bad cap or two. Open it up and look for any caps that are
bulging, have a rounded top or are leaking and replace them.

Common problem in old electronics.
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So I'm now wondering if I spend more money to buy a new sound module,
that I don't have a connection to my past, or if I attempt to hack on
it and look for some DC fuse, or just call it a loss.

If it's been stored for a long time and it's somewhat old, I'd suspect
you have a bad cap or two. Open it up and look for any caps that are bulging, have a rounded top or are leaking and replace them.

Common problem in old electronics.

Well, the story took a better turn then I thought it would. I did end up taking it apart, not finding any blown caps or fuses. On a late night eBay hunt, I found and purchased a standalone Roland MIDI player that I had wanted, an MT-90, that could use a USB flash drive or USB floppy. It can also be used as a regular sound module as well.

When the unit arrived, for giggles, I tested it's power supply with my previously deceased SD-20 and it came right back to life. Unfortunately for my wife, it hasn't stopped me from chasing after some other new sound module units.

I suspect the old power supply just succumbed to the elements in my garage. My house is now back to being serenaded with game soundtracks and childhood holiday tunes.

Appreciate the ideas.
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