Akai AX60 -1985    Weight = 25 Lbs. Number mfg.= ? MRP=$895

Circuit Overview:
     A digitally controlled analog subtracive synth with sliders. Similar to Sequential Six-Trak in sound no doubt but easier control of course. I finally got one of these in here and it's a great machine for the money as I'd heard. AX73 loses knobs but has velocity and more keys of course but otherwise very similar. NOTE: Patch changes via MIDI respond on two channels in non-split mode! Bummer. So like if you set it to channel 11 it will also receive MIDI patch change on 12. In split mode this obviously operates on two different halves of the keyboard but in non-split it's just a pain :-)

Service Tips:
     If a voice is out obviously the CEM3394 is probably gone. These have the familiar rubber cup keyswitches which by this age are often failing. Acetone swabbing conductive surfaces often will cure the ailment. In general hold probes near each other on the surface of the conductive material in the rubber cup and you should get 500 ohms or less if they are really ideal. SOmetimes they work ok up to near 1K but beyond that good luck. I've had excellent results by acetone then rubbing until you see a good amount of black on the swab.

NOTE: POWER SUPPLY has a few incidents of power transistors appearing ok but having deficient volts on Base/ Emitter. Friend Marc on the AX60 and myself on VX90. I naturally swapped M5230 to no avail. I got ok read B=120 and normal diode drops on 2SB891 unit on neg. 6V. Then later saw high diode drop on B/E. Swapping in a B/E crosswired 2N6042 darlington I have worked nice. -5.93V out in loaded state. .71V drop on what shows 11 ohm read to -5V point.