At what point is a vintage synth defective due to its noise floor?

qqq · 2024-02-01T18:57:15.722Z

I recently bought a Solton Programmer 24 off reverb, and in most ways it functions. Problematically, the noise floor is pretty high, to the level where you can easily hear it over the bass voice and over the drums.

The seller listed the quality as “very good” and did not mention the noise floor when I asked questions. I have one other synth from the era (an Alpha Juno) which is nowhere near this level of noisy.

The item also got (at least) minorly damaged due to improper packaging. I’m trying to decide if I should return it. Any thoughts?

pumpkin_head · 2024-02-01T19:05:06.137Z

It depends really on what you expect when you buy something and if you can bear the noise in you music making process. To me it sounds like the seller wasn’t very honest.

Bunker · 2024-02-01T19:06:57.020Z

Have you used another Solton or do you know anyone who has? It could just be a trait of it?

qqq · 2024-02-01T19:07:44.020Z

I have not and don’t know anyone. From the demos I’ve heard online there is nowhere near this level of noise. Its possible folks are using post-processing to make it sound good though? I could maybe get away with always filtering the bass sound and gating all the outputs.

chiasticon · 2024-02-01T19:10:53.114Z

I’ve owned and do own a lot of vintage synths. I’ve never had any major issues with noise coming through when there’s no sound. or being audible while making other sounds. one exception would be when the transformer is starting to give an audible hum. but that’s not noise really…

my guess would be it has some sort of issue. sounds like the seller didn’t disclose that. if you have nearby synth repair options and the seller is willing to work with you to get them, consider that. if not, return it. getting a vintage synth which already has an unknown issue is not ideal, especially if you paid a price higher than you would’ve had you known of the issue.

that said, I have no experience with this synth. it could be that this behavior is normal. but I highly doubt it.

chiasticon · 2024-02-01T19:57:07.509Z

actually… I just remembered that there is a bit of ground noise hum with my Sequential Pro One. I have to use a three-prong adapter with it. otherwise this noise is pretty bad. have you tried something like that? are you sure it’s not just a ground noise? (if you’re outside of North America, I have no idea what the equivalent of something like this is. if there is one.)

this doesn’t necessarily mean there’s an issue with the synth. my Pro One has seen a tech while it had this issue. he checked the synth out and said it wasn’t.

qqq · 2024-02-01T21:09:06.123Z

Thanks for the thoughts! It already uses a 3 prong adapter and it doesn’t sound like ground hum to me. I’ve tried just hooking the synth up to the wall and my headphones and the noise is still there, which usually gets rid of most ground hum that I’ve dealt with (but I have little experience with vintage gear).

qqq · 2024-02-01T21:25:55.470Z

I heard back from another Programmer 24 user and they reported that their unit does not have this noise issue. I have requested a refund through reverb.

chiasticon · 2024-02-01T21:56:52.521Z

ah, bummer. seems like a really cool synth. I never looked into that one actually, but the Retrosound video mesmerized me a bit (as they usually do).

heretical_audio · 2024-02-01T21:57:10.029Z

OP Keep us posted on the outcome of your refund.

BTW, one thing you always want to check before buying a vintage synth is the availability of parts.

qqq · 2024-02-02T03:51:57.389Z

Turns out it was actually user error for the most part. My mixer I use less often and tested the synth on decided to start dying on me. Also using headphones introduced noise into the signal. But hooking it directly up to my audio interface the sound is fine.

Luckily the synth wasn’t more damaged because the package really wasn’t packed as well as it should. But I’m glad I don’t have to return it and the seller isn’t getting back a broken piece of gear.

futureimage · 2024-02-02T08:18:35.975Z

Always amazes me how absolutely pants some headphone sections are on mixers, certainly one of the cases where you want/need a good, reliable headphone output stage.

qqq · 2024-02-02T15:09:53.346Z

This one doesn’t have an actual headphone out even. I knew that headphones wouldn’t be ideal but I didn’t expect them to introduce noise like they did.

heretical_audio · 2024-02-05T02:12:20.203Z

qqq:

My mixer I use less often and tested the synth on decided to start dying on me.

Was it a Behringer?

qqq · 2024-02-05T02:29:36.938Z

Nah, a Mackie 1202 vlz pro.