Extremely quiet output on ESX-1

Sizzlefist · Post by **Sizzlefist** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:41 am

Hi, I purchased an ESX-1 used recently, and the audio out is not functional. Turning up the volume and tube drive all the way, I can barely make out very low level playback underneath some loud hiss. The audio sounds as if it has a HPF applied to it as well. It is the same on all outputs. Other than that, everything else seems to work fine.

I have other equipment that works fine, so it's not my headphones or amp.

I'd return it but I'm wondering if anyone can shed some light on this first. Anyone hear of this problem before? Perhaps I don't know how to use this thing?

Thanks for any help!

Dj Pound · Post by **Dj Pound** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:31 pm

When you got the unit did it have anything saved into its internal memory?
And if it did, did you erase them and create your own samples?
If you did create your own samples did you Normalize them?

Sorry for all these questions

I just need to know what the situation is like!

Sizzlefist · Post by **Sizzlefist** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 12:22 am

No, it arrived dead. I never had a chance to use it. There are (probably) hundreds of patterns in it that I can play. Just can hardly hear them. Even if they're not factory patterns, I doubt the previous owner recorded them that way.

It is obviously an electrical problem. I'm just wondering if anyone has heard of this and if it can be easily fixed (eg, blown fuse, grounded wire, bad tubes).

plosive · Post by **plosive** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:22 am

have you checked to see if the outputs were assigned to 3/4 instead of the mains 1/2? trying plugging your line outs to 3/4 and see if you hear anything.

what about the headphone output? nothing works at all?

Sizzlefist · Post by **Sizzlefist** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:02 pm

All outputs are quiet. Again, with volume and drive at max, I can hear the loops playing, but just barely, and with massive hissing.

gil videla · Post by **gil videla** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:07 pm

I had the same feeling when I first got my ESX.
Use the ESX organizer and make all your samples at 12dB
then use the TUBES to adjust to your liking. If I don't boost them to 12dB i can't hear sheeit, having said that now I rarely have the volume up any - gives me more options I think

Dietrich · Post by **Dietrich** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:13 pm

If this also happens with the factory samples (download is at Korg website I believe) then this most likely is an issue with the unit itself.