I’m still puzzled about why the Miniak audio isn’t making sound while the delicate digital circuits of the user interface seem to be working fine. I would have expected any significant voltage spike associated with scissors applied to the power supply lead to hit the digital stuff first.
I need to gird whatever needs girding for low voltage electronics (probably not loins, maybe an antistatic wristband), and investigate the most obvious signal paths.
I could also check to see if there are any diagnostic procedures accessible through the UI. A memory check would help me to determine if the data flash has been fried, for instance.
Basic firefighting is the rule chez Bitnik, I’m afraid. Our daughter sometimes posts this item from “Obvious Plant” and we all laugh. We love her, but don’t assume she is immune to consequences. She is a great person struggling against a horribly defective neural apparatus. If she were responsive to consequences she wouldn’t be like this.
Try tracing around with an audio probe (~1uF non polarised capacitor in series between tip of audio jack and probe, sleeve of audio jack to ground of circuit, plug jack into guitar amp on low volume or cheap PC speakers) near any op amps or ICs near the audio output.
I’ve located the service manual for the Alesis Micron, which is essentially the same synth engine as the Miniak in a different casing. I’m ordering a new power supply brick for the Miniak because the one I ordered last year went missing. When that arrives, this service manual may be useful if the Miniak has inherited at least some of the diagnostic procedures of the Micron.
Edit: here’s a link to a copy of the Alesis Micron service manual on archive.org:
Honestly these are great questions, but it’s been so long I don’t know the answers and I didn’t keep a journal. The new PSU is supposed to arrive tomorrow so I hope to take a methodical approach and report the results here.
I think maybe I’m just being stupid. My skills in this field are laughably poor. But still the hope of once more playing this lovely synth draws me on.
Not a huge fan of royalty, frankly. Next week’s orgy of adoration for a symbolic hereditary oligarchy is going to be a bit annoying, but I think it would be bad form to spoil the fun of those who enjoy this kind of thing.
Then again, maybe the French had the right idea in 1789. Just as long as you bear in mind that, in British politics, the term “guillotine” refers to a Parliamentary motion setting a time limit for debate on a topic, and nobody ends up with their head chopped off.
Edit: the possibility of a President ‹name of longtime populist dickhead goes here› is actually a good argument for constitutional monarchy. I’m almost convinced.
The Miniak works! I just unpacked the new power adapter, plugged it in, connected an external speaker, and turned it on. I’m not asking too many questions at this stage, I’m just delighted to have it back in my life.
I think I may resume working on a wider range of ideas as before. With that in mind, I’ve put my ongoing thoughts on the Akai Miniak onto a thread that I hope will develop into a handy place for people to discuss “Virtual analog” synthesis. The skills are transferable even if the packaging (not to mention implementation!) is different.
I really ought to get back to my controller project. If I do, I’ll report on this thread.
