help with my synth

ginormous

ginormous

Understatmentologist
I've got a Roland Juno-G that I use at home for keyboard and drum sounds. I'm in the midst of recording tracks.

After a few years use with no problems, all of a sudden, today, the LCD display went nuts. Looked like half a checkerboard (top right/bottom left) with pixellated mush all over the rest.

I got NO MONEY. None. Zero, zip, zilch, nada, goose egg, pocket lint. Buying a replacement, or paying for repairs, is not viable for me at this time.

I need help.
 
Re: help with my synth

Is it real text with some overlay of nonsense or just nonsense?

Massaging LCDs helps to a certain extent if it is the former. If it is the latter the LCD itself might not be the problem.
 
Re: help with my synth

What little I can see of the actual display (text and characters, 'knob and slider' positions, etc), is poorly contrasted and has black flecks. The rest is blanked out, in a checkerboard sort of way.

It's got a hard plastic shell over the window, so it won't let me rub on it. I can't even slip in a ten to buy it lunch. (I'm broke as a joke anyway.)
 
Re: help with my synth

Does the synth still make sounds when you play it? It might just be a bad connection to the LCD. Have you opened the case up? Is the LCD mounted onto a PCB or is it connected with a ribbon cable?
 
Re: help with my synth

According to my incessant googling, the display connects with a ribbon. I haven't popped the case, because my precision tool kit got lost in the move from NY to Kentucky.

My research also shows that a replacement display can go for anything from $160 to $200.
 
Re: help with my synth

It may be a bad connection on a ribbon cable . It may need cleaning and reseating.
More likely it's an LCD problem
It looks like a recurring problem with the Juno and other synths with the LCD display.
This link shows how to get at the screen but it's only a guide to replacing it.
- http://skeptek.com/2009/12/21/how-to-replace-the-lcd-display-on-a-roland-juno-g/ -
I called Roland Support. They informed me I could buy the part for $135
Click to expand...
A replacement screen is way outof your budget.

beyond a dodgy connection, things do not look good.
 
Re: help with my synth

Also this comment here;
The LCD issue is a known (and admitted) flaw from Roland, and they're replacing them with non-flawed units free of charge. My Juno-G in the backbone of my live and studio rig, and I can't complain. I've got an industrial band that gives any synth a run for its money, and the Juno-G does anything and everything I need it to.
Click to expand...
from here. - http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/juno_g.php -

It may be worth contacting Roland and see if they're doing free replacemnts still.
 
Re: help with my synth

I sent an email to Roland US, and they've been helpful before. We'll see what happens.

Mind you, I've had no other problems with this keyboard. It sounds great, and it's been helping me for a long time.
 
Re: help with my synth

First move, back up your sounds and song data.

Corrupted screen readout can be due to a failed LCD but, equally, it can be a functional screen making the best that it can of corrupted data.

Second move, open up the lid. Check the backup battery. Replace if necessary.
 
Re: help with my synth

I use it in multi-timbral mode, and I save song data to my PC. Nothing on there put the factory patches.
 
Re: help with my synth

Funkfingers said:
Corrupted screen readout can be due to a failed LCD but, equally, it can be a functional screen making the best that it can of corrupted data.
Click to expand...

True, but I think that checkerboard pattern is symptomatic of a functional LCD and (probably) functional display controller that can't talk to each other. My $$$ is on the ribbon cable being loose or damaged.

Can't hurt to call Roland first, though.
 
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