Roland XP-50 Repair and Restoration 

Thanks so much for this video! It brought back my XP-50 to fully working condition. Replaced some caps and changed all the buttons. Watch his other video on replacing all the buttons on these Roland synths. Replacing the caps are a pain, but replacing the buttons aren't so bad. Symptoms: -Low Audio -Display goes out (there is a "fix") -Keyboard powers on, but will not load for over 30min.

As a fellow engineer, I just wanted to say thanks. Your videos saved me a lot of time. I was able to perform the repair without too much difficulty, but without prior surface mount experience this would be difficult for a person with intermediate solder skills.

Please keep the repair and teardown videos coming! Your channel is the best!

Absolutely fascinating, thank you! I bought my XP50 in 1995 and I still use it. A friend just GAVE me an old XP50 which wasn't working...I've replaced the battery and done a factory reset and I get sound and visuals now, but output is low. Capacitors need replacing obviously. Thanks again, and best wishes from New Zealand.

Your synth repair / restoration videos are great! I really appreciate the explanations of what you are doing and also the synth history. Score on the vintage synth expansion card! That paid for the synth...watched the rest of the video and saw it's the experience card...still a cool card with a lot of stuff from the vintage synth card. Thanks for bringing old boards back to life!

Excellent video! I don't have an XP-50, but this was extremely informative and I hope to carry over the techniques and knowledge to a couple of repairs / restorations I'm about to work on. Please keep these videos coming , and thanks!

Thank you Very much. I give you a big thank. By following your video i have repaired my xp 50 keyboard which had sound and key problem. I wanted to throw it. Finally due to your magnificent tutorial I have been able to repair my keyboard by myself.

I need to report this. I just took down pages of notes from your video in order to start the work on an XP50 that canme to me, no screen, no output. I put it on my bench tonight and turned it on to see the symptoms. The LED screen came alive with patches, numbers, etc.. And it sounds like a million bucks, big rich wide stereo tones. I'm kinda baffled. It had been dead in the water from the owner and something happened that brought it back. Well, at least for now. I'm sure those capacitor are getting ready for a cat pee fest. Thank you for this really good video.

Thanks for sharing! Makes me more confident that I can bring back my one to life. Good job!

This is a great guide, thank you! I'm working on one XP-50 right now. Regarding the switches - Panasonic EVQ-21505R is now obsolete. For now I found Omron B3F-6022 matches size of those switches almost exactly. edit: can confirm - Omron B3F-6022 fits prefectly, changed all 50 switches, works great.

could you put up the make and model \sizes of the caps that you replaced as well as where I would typically find them or if I have to order online to get them? Thanks in advance. I definitely have the low, almost no volume output from my XP 50. She's definitely been used so all of the this is extremely helpful. I'm not sure how much I could technically do but I'll try. I also have to replace some of the worn buttons that are very worn and are not responding.

Even I am not a electronic technician I see this is an awesome video, thanks for sharing-explaining everything. I've also bought a old shape XP-50. The problems I've found on it are: Low Battery, L-R stereo Out Problem (All the Sounds are in mono, and cancelling sounds when Stereo L-R connected to mixer, and layers faders c1-c2 (Not Working)maybe disconnected,. but the worse for me is the stereo output so I'll have to find someone to repair this for me here in my country.

Thanks for making this video. Very helpful. I found one of these in need of this repair.

I am currently repairing an XP80 and it has exactly same issues as your XP50. The expansion board of XP80 is same is XP50, just has more components on the board. The mainboard is different, and it is using a different DAC (PCM69U), actually 2 of them for different outputs. In my case there was absolutely no audio coming out of the synth, but after probing with a scope I could see clock, digital in and audio out on the DAC. The audio was lost after the first op amp but the headphone output was working fine when I inhjected with a 1kHz signal. After replacing all caps on one channel, I could hear audio. Stock caps are actually Panasonic as well, but SMDs don't last long on that board so I decided to go with THT instead. With THT, there is less chance of overheating the cap when soldering in, less chance of lifting the tracks when desoldering and a THT part will last longer. I also decided to go against tantalum caps after I had to replace a shorted one in a different device. Also, my unit is missing a power transformer and the Sanyo caps on the rectifier board are swallen. A second hand transformer is $50+ bucks on ebay so I've decided to retrofit a small good quality switch mode PSU instead and keep the rectifier board (with new caps) but replace diode bridges and voltage stabilisers with just jumpers. The voltages are +/- 12v and +5v. The 5v stabiliser is not a 7805 but a more higher current part and the +/-12v current is like 200mA.

Thanks for the video. I've really enjoyed your explanation of your steps and why and the general circuitry walk-throughs. Very well done. I'm an owner of the 2080, so I'm familiar with the sound engine.

AEJ New Orleans here, I do really appreciate your excellent eye opener work you did and always wonder why I was turned down by one TECHNICIAN that told me not to waste his time on fixing my XP-80. I will find someone I'll hope that is one want to help.

Blows my mind how much you have to know to even diagnose a circuit board! I'm hurting my head trying to learn. Then again - all those machines you have in the background hurts too!

Keys were really trashed... wow! Maybe someone was obsessed with learning Cat Scratch Fever? Seriously, awesome video. Super helpful... Thank you!

Thanks so much for this! My XP50 needs some of this!

Great Video. Thanks a lot for sharing. Please keep uploading.

The buttons on my XP are finally dying and my usual repair place is telling me there's nothing I can do to fix them. Thank you for proving them wrong!

Top Notch! You know what you're doing. Thanks a lot!

I have one of those myself I love it. It had been working (although it was noisy- tended to hum but was manageable- but now I just get a high pitch squeal when I plug it in

Just wanted to say thanks for making such a great video. I had a XP-50 back in the day and out of nostalgia and a desire for something familiar that I can use as a controller I bought a used unit off of ebay pretty cheap. The seller says it works, but the battery is bad. I'll probably recap it anyways out of an abundance of caution.

Thanks a lot for an informative video. Do you know if capacitor issues might also cause distorted/harsh audio output on the XP series as well ?

Hi bradthx, Your Video is very good and well detailed. I've been fixing a few things lately My 76 keyboard and my Mackie Mixer with success. However My Roland XP50(25 year old very good conditioned Keyboard)which has not worked for some years now so I thought I would try and fix it after following your good video. I'm from the UK and my Mainboard Version is different from yours which doesn't have C932 and C931. Anyway my Board was powering up and Orange screen just fine but no sound or rather a static hiss sound coming from outputs inc headphone. Long story short. I changed all the capacitors with brand new one from Panasonic and one or two of them were hard to get off and came off with the pad so i had to carefully/patiently attach those back on. I connected all the cables correctly, powered up but now no screen coming on and still with the same slight hiss and static sound. At first I thought the power supply has gone dead but i know that can't be it coz im still hearing some hissing sound . No sign of any burning marks on the board and no burning smell anywhere. .Any idea what i've done wrong here.. Is it possible that one of the traces has been severed and if so can this cause this or some shorting cause this? Help much appreciated.

I have my XP-80 main board partially cap-replaced (too bad that I didn't ask the vendor to replace all). I found my aftertouch doesn't respond at all. I tested the resistance of the AF strip does change upon pressing. And I traced the circuit of the keybed board and looks fine. Could there be any cap issue that could contribute to AF failure?

Excellent work! Many thanks!

Great video for a synth I have a great fondness for. I have six of these and unfortunately every one has developed sound issues or dead display. I have around 180 pieces of music that I'm desperate to record but I shall need to get at least one of the XP50 repaired before I can. Oh what I'd give right now to have your skills at this

Thank you for this detailed video. I wanted to say that the expansion board in my XP80 says "XP50/Xp80" if that helps. Just wondering if you can guide me a little, my XP80 sound is distorted. When I perform the sound tests, I can hear the Sine and square waves out of the direct out L/R but nothing from headphone or line out L/R. Would you be able to guide me to find out where the problem is? btw, I replaced all the caps and wondering if I caused it or something else was already blown. All voltage rails are perfect. hoping to hear from you, thanks

I did the same repair a couple of years ago. The caps leaked all over the place and damage one of the tracks. It is working fine now.

Nice work but your missing two major tools. #1 desoldering station #2 Heated Tweezers for removing those caps. Your an addict like me LOL. nice video Thanks.

Thanks for the video ! I followed your instructions and changed theal the SMD capacitors on the main board and the battery but when I switch the XP50 on, the display doesn't go further than the first line, thus not showing the Roland logo and sound bank. Also, no sound. I tried also the "pin 3 linked to pin 1" trick but the result is the same. Does anyone have any clue / solution to get my XP50 back to life ? Will be forever grateful !

Really liked your video, thanks. Could you please do one on the XP-80? I'm having trouble with the after touch. I need to apply a ridiculous amount of pressure to get it to work and it worked fine when I first got the keyboard.

Great video! Would you have any idea of how to and how difficult it would be to get to the key contacts? I have 1 F key that works, but I have to hit it harder than the other keys in order to get full velocity, and it's kind of annoying. Would cleaning help, or can the contacts be replaced? I've seen some on eBay for about $10 thanks!

Really helpful video. Thank you :) What are the L4 and L5 parts near the audio output jacks? They looks burnt/damaged in XP50 board and the audio output doesn't sound good even after replacing all caps. Can you help?

Hi, I have a Roland EM-50 keyboard, and the foam rubber in the speakers has perished and the sound is awful. I want to replace the speakers and I am wondering if I can do this myself? In addition, if I was able to connect the keyboard to external speakers can I stop the sound coming out of the inbuilt speakers? Thank you Kate

Hi Great video, my xp50 jog wheel potentiometer is noisy, ie the menu selection jumps. presume tracks on the pot are damaged. do you know what type of potentiometer this is? Also my expansion card wont read installed boards, power to board and other funtions on board i.e. midi hold pedal etc still work? any ideas thanks

At 43:22 you are talking about the SR-JV expansion board, can you swap out the presets for custom patches utilizing an editor? Have you tried ever to repair one of these boards, I have an Orchestral that went out a few days ago. With those custom Roland chip, I doubt if this can be repaired :(

I highly appreciate your meticulous work sir! Not only you fix the keyboard, but also you teach us how the equipment works and give hints about possible problematic areas to look out. I fixed no-audio problem of Yamaha REV-5 just re-capping power unit after watching your videos. However I couldn't repair my Roland JV-2080. It suddenly frozen (both screen and audio) during play. The synth not booting up anymore. Just one vertical line on the right portion of the screen; no audio, no lights on the panel buttons. Unfortunately, power supply recapping not worked. There are hundreds of electrolytic caps on the mainboard. They look basically in a perfect condition. No leaks or corrosion. Have you seen any similar kind of problem on JV or XP series before? What to look out? Crystals, caps? Roland branded CPU or sound engine chip? I have a XV-5080, it shows the same flickering (one vertical line) screen for a few secs, switches to the boot animation, then works normally afterwards. I see that "power up with a flickering screen" is a normal behavior for JV series synths.

Excellent video, thanks so much. I own a XP30 and a XV88 a will be refurbishing including the slider controls. I had it open so many times, replace tactile switches and some keys. I have trouble finding the part number for the volume control on both units, Roland does not sale those parts anymore. Thanks again for the video.

Hey Rozelle, funny thing is there was nothing initially wrong except some bad tac switches. I dis-assembled the XP-80 and installed three of the ten tac switches I had to replace, then partially re-assembled it to make sure the new switches resolved the problem. The new switches worked fine as I could obviously tell by looking at the display. So I removed the circuit board again to install the rest of the switches then completely re-assembled the keyboard only to discover that now I have no display or sound. I went back in and checked the connectors which were fine. So now it appears the caps went bad in the process. I don't beleive I caused it as I was very careful with grounding myself and I was careful handling the mainboard when I moved it out the way. This SUCKS!!!

I picked up an XP-50, repaired the display etc. Working well but finding that going through the patches it will auto switch to chain play or rhythm at times. Also only I can only access the user patches since factory reset. I expect a switch is sticking. Is there an easy way to clean the switches without replacing?Thanks

Thanks for all this info! I've got an XP-50 with only black squares in the display, nothing more. Any tips or a recap too??

I have completed a full desoldering process, sound is back with very low volume compared to before which was (nil sound but hissing noise), but the display still back light only after re-capped. I had to do the 3rd Pin merge method. I did accidentally lifted tracks of the circuit but if I'm getting sound, that means it's a complete circuit..(guessing) any other tips to check my work so I can get a decent volume output from all? headphones is slightly better than L/R out. they all have clear sound signal ...just soft.

Thought I would come back and add a follow up. Sure enough nearly all the caps were bad. Very very bad. This was my first time repairing something of this level for me, especially dealing with SMD caps. I tore a trace in the process of removal early on and partially lifted a pad later. I was able to repair the breaks with a great amount of patience. I ended up using an unorthodox method of removal for the caps (cutting them off) since the damage from the electrolytic was so bad that the heat caused the traces to lift too much. After replacing the caps (I used a low temp solder paste) I had a few output issues that went away with some cleaning and reseating of a few caps. I marked the caps I replaced with a sharpie, color coded to where I thought I did a good job, okay job and ones that might be a problem. I did all caps on the main board. Now I have a perfectly functional XP-50 that cost me less than $200 including replacement parts. I just put a low bid on a pair of broken MC-303 and low and behold you have a video of them, because of course you do. In any case, thank you again for your detailed videos. Now if I can just snag a cheap JP-8000!

Thanks for the great info. I need to repair my XP-80. Would you please provide the Digi-Key part number for the caps? I've searched Digi-key using the specs from your sheet but have not yet located them

would you please upload all of the Roland XP50 demo songs in high quality version .. i have been looking for it for years

Wow. That was super helpful, because I am in the process of buying one. I think I should do the same with my JX-305 and replace all those buttons that don't work reliably anymore. thx

Hi. Maybe you can help me. I have XP-80 and by time part of keyboard stopped working. It's a middle part of keyboard. At the beginning (when this probblem occured), when I turn on workstation that keys sometimes work sometimes not, and now they are totally dead. I bought XP-80 as brend new 1998 I think. Circuit board belowe keys look's fine and flat cable also, so I think the problem is in Main board. I mention that the few cappacitors (69 47 6V) is leaking. Does replacing them will solve the problem? What do you think? Thanx and sorry for my English 😬.

Thanks for the video. I also repair synths and have just bought a barely uised, pristine looking, but with audio distortion 😉, XP-50. I have paid 150€ + shipping for it, which seems like a good price for a so nice looking unit. I hope to work on it soon, replacing the caps and such

hi, thank you (extremely!) for this video; it's a masterpiece. you provide great angles and incredibly clear instruction (and encouragement). i really appreciated that you posted the complete list of caps that you ordered (from digikey) in the comments below, too. my only question would be: how do you know which replacement caps go where? ie. what's printed on the old caps that lets one know? thanks again,

What type of soldering iron do you use for this type of stuff? I've always had cheap soldering irons and have a tough time desoldering stuff without a ton of effort and sometimes messing things up.

Hi, my XP-50 Stop/Play key flash with green light when I turn on the XP-50. The lcd screen turns on but does not display anything . Any idesas ? Thanks :)

First of all, thank you so much for posting this video. I have an XP-50 that I bought in high school that had exactly the same problems as this. I followed your instructions and replaced all the caps, and was able to get the screen back to working, but the sound isn’t working. I had lifted the pads on 2 of the caps (the 330s), and I just tried supergluing them down, but I feel like that wasn’t a good way to repair them. Do you know what to do in that case? I found another video that recommends using wire to anchor to a via, but I’m not sure if that’ll work.

Great video sir....plz keep uploading...

Hello, I have a Roland hp237. Something just burnt out on it, as when I turn it on, it only makes a very loud static sound, even through the earphones jack. Would you happen to know what might be wrong with my piano? I'd really like to fix it, if possible.

I hano sound there is a lot of noise. can I just replace the board and where can I buy it from

Would contact cleaner be an option to cleaning the button contacts?

I've got a Yamaha PSR-60 (1986) in mint condition but with no sound from keyboard. Neither of the buttons nor LEDs are working except the POWER LED. I replaced all the 66 electrolytic capacitors, but it's still not functioning. RAM checks and other tests initialized by holding C1 and C5 keys while turning the device on are not performed. The silent noise from the speakers/headphones is present. Do you have any ideas on what should be checked inside and possible ways to fix it? Thank you in advance //Greetings from Ukraine

Hello all...I changed all the SMD capacitors, but no display at start-up. I then connected pin 3 of CN14 and I found the display, but the synth does not start and remains blocked at the display of the first line of rectangles. Where can the problem come from? The battery is good, the PSU too

What type of spray you used to cleaning you're XP-50? I have a XP-10 and G1000 and I want to clean them.

If I change all the caps will this fix the no boot with the display full of boxes and no sound? also are all the caps the same value? because I see some bigger ones?

Thanks for the video. I have a Roland XP-30 that doesn't power up anymore - the entire unit, not just the screen. I also have a Roland Juno 106 with crunchy voice chips - unusable. Do you work on either of these?

I got mine new in 94. Its just started doing the no text, display problem. The wheel has been iffy for 10 years at least but doesn't bother me for how much I use it. Other than Mask ROM fault at the start, its been great.

Hi, my capacitors on my board are leaking, is there a capacitor kit I can get anywhere? Thanks

I have a Roland XP80. You made a statement wondering if the expansion board was the same in the 80 as in the 50. It is. The very same expansion board. My 80 is currently apart. The red epoxy dripped badly over a few hot summers when I left my keyboard in the garage standing on its' end. I have never bought a case, which I should have. I was teaching myself the bass, so I stored it in the garage which was a mistake. I have been cleaning off all the red epoxy from the keys and now the keys chassis (the metal part). I need to re-epoxy the semi weights back into the keys before reassembling. What do you recommend? Will Gorilla glue work sufficiently? If not, what would you recommend? I looked at my main board and the capacitors and they look to be ok. I'm not sure if I could do what you did. My keyboard was taken well good care of, before I made the mistake of putting it in my garage. I bought it new in 1997. I am the only owner. All I need to do now is, re-glue the semi weights back under the keys and then start reassembling the keyboard. I need to locate the backup battery and probably replace it before I reassemble it. Where is it located? I will appreciate your replying asap. Reason is, I am nearly ready to reassemble my XP80 and get it playing again. Thanks for your video. I watched the whole thing.

Hi just found your video I have 1 of these but expansion won't work tried all 4 slots the wires were taught and plug wobbles buy looks connected. Is this common or think that's the fault why expansion won't work. Thanks👍👍

my XP80 has some noise when I turn the master all the way up, it starts some seconds after turning it on, power supply also gets a little warm. Could this be the capacitors? :)

This is awesome. I was repairing mine and tore the awm 2896 80c vw-1 ribbon.... Do you know where I can get a replacement?

Good morning , I was hoping to get some help with my xp-50 all the indicator lights are on. So it is unresponsive. Is there a fix for this. thanks, gratefully,

Brad, if I've already changed the capacitors and the display is still showing "squares" with no sound output, can you point me in the right direction to look at.

Thanks for sharing all this knowledge !

Hello, hello! Nice video and restoration session! Thanks a lot! I'm also an XP-50 owner and already replaced the bunch of SMD Elekrolytes, which gave me a big sound improvement! I still experience some background hight tone, but I think it's coming from the transformer/supply circuit, which is making an audible hum when switching on the synth. Do you have any experience or info to share on bad transformer/ rectifier bridge/ caps on this part of the instrument? Thanks and succes!

Great vid, thanks !!(my caps are ordered) One question regarding my XP-50. The selector dial is very intermittent. Will this repair help.

My XP-60 screen is faded and the sustain gets stuck sustaining the notes. Is there a way to fix those things??

Hello. I want to do the same with my xp 30. Is there a capacitor kit I can get or a list, and where can I get the display. Thanks.

Sir my roland fantom xa pitch bender is not working good...i feel like something loose in it...what should i do sir... plzz reply

The tactile switches you used are no longer avail. I noticed they are rated at 0.02A 15v. The only similar switches I could find avail are 0.05A 12v. Would those work?

Do you think a low hissy audio out channel on a d-10 would be the same issue?

Hello, I would like to replace all SMD capacitors on the main circuit board of my Roland XP50. Where can I buy the SMDs capacitors and what kind are they? Greetings Arek

Hi. Great video! At what iron temperature did you work?

Hello budy, how are you ? I'm desperate my wife's Roland XP 80 Middle Contact Board broke in 3 parts I tried a restoration but without success do you know where I can find this card? Or if you have this card?

Hi, In the UK xp50’s came with the Experience expansion board as an example of what the other expansion boards offer.

Hi I need help luv my xp80 keyboard but it is in dire need of fixing, the floppy disk player is not working and my keys are sticking. Can you help my xp80 keyboard????

I kkow this is an older video, but does anyone know the value of the 9 capacitors (only 3 different values I believe) that relate to the output issue. I've tried to figure it out what caps to buy to no avail. Any help would be a godsend. thank you.

At 41:21 you show the sound generator chip, which brings me this question, do the SRX expansion boards have on board, a dedicated sound generator or synth engine chip or IC?

Can someone explain to me how to remove some of the ribbon cables as the gentlemen is doing around 14:35 . This is the first repair I’ve done to anything dealing with circuits and motherboards. I figured out some of the cables have some type of lid on them that you can lift up and simply pull them out but others don’t. Please if anyone can help it would be much appreciated. Thanks

A technician fried my xp-50 mainboard. Can you tell me where to buy a new or used one?

My synth makes noise, this noise is heard when I play each note. I want to replace the capacitors according to your repairs, is it effective?

My Roland xps 10 all slider knob working automatically without touching. I have also checked my keyboard without slider knob/pad board same problem happen. Sir please give me solution.

Hi would you know why mine restarts when playing. after a while it goes out and goes on immediate after going out.

Can you give a parts list to replace all the caps I also have one I bought in the same condition and want to replace the caps on the main board

So I have a Roland that power is not working. I tested the Power In - and it does read to the Switch (on/off) - but all those tiny top solder components hurt my head and no idea what next to do. I understand computer mother boards - but nothing like this

beautifull word ... fantastic

Ordered the caps from the list provided but there are some missing and others are even not used. Strange. Now figured out that I need 10ųf 16 Volts and 43ųf 6 volts..hope it will get finished

Brad... I know this is 2 years later+ hope ya around,but I got an XP10 problem and I got the answer to what happened to the weird keys.somebody spilled acetone or laquer thinner on the keys or went to clean them and it ate the plastic... seen it before... My XP is all good except for a group of 6-8 white and black keys no sound,so I know its not voices,at least i think not and a tear down and contact cleaning with 90+ alc got the swab tips to darken but thats it,same with the rubber contacts. Any tips? Overall very clean,good keys that had the normal easy to fix sticky problem. TIA

Hi there, just curious what did you use to clean up the outer plastic casing? Thanks

Hello. I´m from Brasil! My keyboard has a very low sound. What could it be?

Great video and interesting!