Alesis Quadraverb Repair

Repair of a dead Alesis Quadraverb effects processor from eBay. This is one of my favorite effects processors which still sounds excellent today.

[@guitfidle]

I really liked this- it's very rewarding to see someone take the time to repair a cool piece of gear like this. I have a Quadriverb Plus I got in as-is non tested condition for $7 a few years ago. Much worse physical condition than the one in the video- even some rust on the case, but it works perfect. I absolutely love the sound these things put out. Incidentally, for anyone reading this, Amazon has a generic replacement power supply for these for under $20.

[@pseen]

Thanks for the cool repair video, I learnt a couple of tricks here! I recently repaired my QV, and it was another case of a burnt capacitor. In the service manual burnt caps are mentioned as the most common error for "dead" QVs, and the the change from the tantalums to the ceramics in the later revisions is explained: "No Power, No Lights, No Life --> Bad Ram Cap. (We have found that the blue, monoblock, ram caps are unreliable, and have since switched to ceramic disk only. --> Examine the PCB for any burnt, or hot, ram caps, and replace, if necessary."

[@Lux-Voltaire]

Brilliant work. I've learnt so much. So very instructional, just through calm process of elimination. Thank you! Nice little PSU bonus at the end!

[@The-Weekend-Warrior]

Excellent fault finding... Honestly, I find tantalums are so much more robust, yet when they rarely fail, they fail spectacularly...

[@drlovez7581]

Thank you for this video. My quad GT stopped halfway when booting up then locked up solid. I did the reset procedure you showed and I’m working again.

[@bobcatt2294]

I do admire your skill. Thank you for this presentation.

[@richardballinger517]

Another great video. I have a couple of Quadraverbs too but thankfully working. The only thing I wanted to sort out was the scratchy pots and I had come across a while back re psu mods. All my kits been in storage due to priorities at home so hopefully get back to sorting them later. Keep um coming.

[@williamtell1477]

I just picked up an SPK90 and a Quadraverb for some 80s vibe and as I go over the electronics Im referring to these older overviews you did. Thanks for the videos and cheers man.

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Thorough troubleshooting -- thanks for sharing the knowledge!

[@mrkeeny]

Thoroughly enjoyed !

[@AllenPendleton]

i have all sorts of outboard reverb units and The quadraverb is still what I like to use live for my drum verb.

[@radicalfreq]

Great video, loved the various explations you gave along the way! cant thank you enough. Any plans to do any tutorials?

[@2000stephenellis]

Another great video !! ... i`m learning so so much from them..thank you for posting !

[@natetabormusic]

Many Thanks for this!!! Please keep doing these videos!

[@djmips]

Thanks for your video which I did enjoy. Good job sleuthing the problem and I learned a lot.

[@jsagala.guitar]

Fantastic and helpful video, thank you!

[@The-Weekend-Warrior]

I had a QuadraVerb a long time ago, then replaced it with a Midiverb 4 and I love that unit as well. I'm to this day sad I sold the Quadraverb as it was so nice. A bit noisy, but so nicely sounding.

[@joshbassett]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@harmonicuniverse]

I repaired this revision a couple of weeks ago, only just saw you video today and the repair/fault is exactly the same as what I had done. Must be a common fault. The 5v regulator does get quite hot!

[@p8051a]

Excellent video!Subscribed:)

[@ShallRemainUnknown]

I haven't had a Quadraverb in over 15 years, but I believe it had the unique feature of pressure sensitive +/- value buttons, data scrolled faster with harder press...

[@w0mblemania]

This is great to watch. It's like a murder mystery!

[@JCSoundr]

Like your style👍 Was thinking tantalums right away😂

[@joshuashall6346]

Great video. Thank you! I just picked up a Quadraverb2 (not broken) but I wonder how different it is internally from the mk1.

[@adlegol]

Cool video.

[@GravesPartyArmy]

you got skills i subscribed!

[@KrisMWest]

This video was really informative, thank you. Ive had some trouble with mine recently, the trouble being the switch S1, when i go to switch it on, the internal rod is pushing the switch in at the rear, but the switch itself isn't always locking in its 'On' position and pops back out. Happened last nigh just as i was about to go on stage. Is there any way of modding the unit to operate via a different type of switch which could be switched on from the rear via a toggle or a rocker? If not, which of the switches on digikey would i need to order to replace? Many Thanks.

[@bhamadicharef]

Nice video ... Alesis is good engineering ... DigiKey paper catalogue ... my kind of guy !

[@h.w.jansen6467]

Hi Bradthx, Great video, any plans for the Alesis Quadraverb II service on video?

[@grateful4068]

Thank you for this video. Love the detail. I subscribed because of this video. Do you happen to know of a good power supply for the Quadraverb? I bought a HOSA power supply for it from Amazon that works and has the correct pins and everything, but the supply has a -very- loud fan in it, and it renders it useless for my environment.

[@ChannelofRichPierik]

ThankYou!

[@mariandremandre]

Repaired a few midiverb 3s and nearly always the caps around the power supply. Some dry joints others dry caps. Always lift the chips and push back first.Just to cover those. Usually have to master reset as well. Wonder why they never placed an off/on on front. Another mod I carried out.

[@axxeman2002]

Nice video Brad. Mine just went on the fritz - the display is blank except for the right hand upper and lower 5 squares. Unit still works OK but the patch names are garbage. How did you check that lithium battery?

[@rosh608]

Great Video, Just wondering if you know how to copy from one eprong to another using Alesis Q2 I have some Shadows patches I need to copy to another Alesis?

[@TruthAndMoreTruth]

The two units you compared have similar boards, but the GT model has a noticeably bigger board.

[@hamtramckchronicles]

Is there any recorded documentation of the Quadraverb's Firmware revisions and what changed throughout? Would love to know.

[@percussionologist]

If there’s any way you would explain where you’re placing the test leads of the voltmeter when you’re initially testing the three regulators? Would be really appreciated! Thanks for taking the time to make such a great video 👍

[@djmips]

They only have three leads. Input / Output / Ground. He's testing between ground and output.

[@Tibbon]

Can you recommend a "standard stock" of caps that you keep around? I'm hoping to repair more gear, but I keep finding that I never have the right caps!

[@ernavk31]

28:04 Reset procedure, hold Program & Bypass button while powering on (leaving a note to myself :) )

[@indiegun]

Thanks so much! I've got my 1989 'Quad' sitting in my lap trying to find that section of the video. I knew it was in there somewhere. My unit appears to work just fine. Original yellow LCD still lights up but no characters are showing. Hopefully an ebay replacement panel will get my display working again. Thanks again!

[@connyhakansson]

I have the problem related to 12V regulator, I did what you did, and cut the output, and I could see that the reg was "drained" as it outputed the correct voltage (+12V) when i did that. It showed 13V on the input, and 12V on the output when cut, when connected it show 3.2V input and the output showed some redicoulus figures around -123V or something alike. Now the question is, what parts could be responsible, as most of the internal stuf seems to be 5V as of you video. Any ideas where I should start looking or replacing components?

[@jockeyshift4124]

brad.. looks like one of these in unknown condition is headed my way. its not the version I would have picked ,that being the GT ,but its a qv2,still worth takin the time. I think you said you had 2 of these ,but now they are both working or one is a parts machine or ? So anyone reading,and Brad doesn't have, I may be needing parts, so speak up.. I should see mine end of next week 4/9/21. I have a couple other solid vintage EP's for sale the digitech dsp128+ and a peavey ultraverb...I'm in the market for a rack/mixer box too,4 ft tall+- 20x 20 inside for rack gear and a lid to cover mixer. pretty common configuration, Southern USA..... somebody buy my korg Micro X lil monster!! I need $$$ to fix my JX8P!!!

[@andrewadair1443]

Any idea how to swap patches back and forth on these? I have an older model now not functioning and a newer one that works. I prefer some of the patches on the older one. Is there a chip that holds the presets that I can swap? Midiquest makes an editor and a librarian but they are kinda pricey. I tracked down the original syex with the factory patches but Im not sure of how to get it on the unit. When i do the factory reset on the newer one the patches are close but missing some I want. Thanks for the video- its a bit above my abilities but it was very informative.

[@brucepaz7933]

Great videos I have 2 Midiverb 4s and 3 micro verb 3s I run a recording studio, is here just a lcd replacement for midi verb 4? I had bought the whole front pcb for the unit can you just get the LCD w/lights ? I all so have the Qs 8. Thanks Northjetty recording studios.

[@scott3t]

Any info on how the build powere cable? I have the 9Vac supply and the 4pin din connector. What wires go where on the 4 pins and ground?

[@djpangburn7505]

Do you happen to know the instructions for installing the Quadraverb Plus firmware update eprom chip?

[@atommachine]

I just noticed one of my outputs is not working , the solder joints look ok as far as i can see , it s a mystery at this point. my unit was made1992.

[@jamesprice6381]

my lexicon lxp 5 turns on, but all i hear is like a regenerated sound ala feedback, any pointers? i do have another unit altho its broke too lol....i CAN hear my guitar and a slit affected sound, thx 4 any help, i love them!

[@TruthAndMoreTruth]

If you even need to replace the display do NOT buy one on ebay for $25. These can be ordered from a supplier directly for $5 each. make sure to get them to add the pin headers, and it's a simple plug and play replacement.

[@bobblip]

Any further info where to source a new display? Mine died. Cheers.

[@TruthAndMoreTruth]

@@bobblip Make sure to choose the 5.0V, and add the 2x7 pin headers($0.59). If you search the site for different colors make sure it's "HD44780", and16x2 and the pins are on the side and not the bottom. www.buydisplay.com/default/character-16x2-blue-lcd-display-module-hd44780-white-on-blue?fbclid=IwAR0Hs8_nmrdTyh0KxcVkBWL7JlSjOCKpmuwYprzANdL7c4k-3OFyh6hOY9w

[@rockaz12]

Need some help with my original quadraverb 1.been in the rack for years...pulled it out to test it and at first the words just looked weird on the screen ...never got to listening audio cause just want to get past problem with display. Their was also the problem of the meter peaking on and off. After trying to reset the unit with bypass and program buttons it seemed to worse. Wish I could send video to let u see or maybe ill just put it up here briefly.need help please.

[@ablex7]

Nice work! On mine the +12V is being pulled to 0, until snipped and then it's fine... any pointers?

[@jacksonrauch9429]

Hi there....I have a Microverb II that doesn't power up at all. Any thoughts of what to check first (and second) :-) ....Thanks if you can help!

[@GreenMeanie101]

My quadraverb turns on and passes the self test everything seems normal but I can't hear the effects and only a few of the programs let the guitar sound through. Any idea what I would be looking for to fix it?

[@fhedcuenco]

Great... 👍

[@recapitationguitars-Egregore]

I'm trying to find a 240 v power supply. Is it true you can use any 9 v ac power supply. I cut the cord on my original 120 volt supply thinking I could use the 4 pin cord and wire it up. Any info would be appreciated.

[@vincentcrisci3917]

Bonjour, avez vous une vidéo qui montre comment implanter une puce de sons shadows sur quadraverb GT.merci

[@FreonTheFrozen]

What store did you use to buy the capacitors?

[@erikg2515]

Great video I just bought one of these for guitar and sounds amazing. I did notice the input knob is a little scratchy. How do you clean the POT? Thanks

[@CoCoTheGeek1]

You can use Caig Deoxit D5 to help with that. Just spray and turn the knobs to help get the cleaner down in the grooves of the potentiometer.

[@erikg2515]

@@CoCoTheGeek1 Thank you

[@kenichi407]

wondering if you can help me out with my quadraverb. sonically, it works fine, but when i turn it on, all the buttons light up and the display is blank amber. none of the buttons seem to function. interesting thing is if i pull the ribbon cable from the display (i.e. disconnect the display), the button lights turn off and the buttons are functional again. any clue? seems like the display when connected is causing some form of voltage imbalance in the unit.

[@khomcaliem4496]

Hi! I have An Exact Unit As that One. And I had Mess Around With The Program, After That I Get No Effect Sound Coming Thru. If You know How To Reset That Unit? Thank You!

[@DJ-fs1cx]

Greetings!...I am an original owner of a Quadraverb Plus. Everything seems to work on the unit, except the processing of the effects onto the signal even when the mix master and direct levels are at 99. Any ideas ?

[@okidot]

I have a broken switch on mine and need to swap it out! I don't suppose you would know what component type these switches are? Thanks for the thorough video!

[@le_onnik]

Hi- i have the same issue with mine.. did you solve it?

[@ScottOuelletteGuitar]

Very informative!! I have my second Quadraverb, and I need to clean the pots, any suggestions on how to do that? Thanks! Scott.

[@djmips]

Deoxit or another contact cleaner.

[@ScottOuelletteGuitar]

@@djmips thank you!

[@mrz80]

I'd go ahead and rip-and-replace all the tantalums as a matter of course. From my days rummaging around inside Heathkit computers, we had the truism that "Tantalum capacitors WILL fail, and they WILL short when they do." :-| Given how much more compact electrolyics are nowadays the big reason for using tanalums has gone by the boards.

[@moviesquirrel4559]

Hello Mr., my quadraverb doesn't response to botton press after I have pressed the program button 4 - 5 times.+5V and +/-12v are stabil and there is no interruption or spikes on any voltages. Q2 will be triggered by the processor and the base of Q1 is high untill I scroll 4 -5 times the program button. The unit produces the sound with effect accordingly to the last program. Do you have any idea what could be causing this? Best regards Steve from Hungary

[@andreavico6198]

I don't think that the blue cap are tantalum cap. More likely they are ceramic. Tantalum are polarized and usualy 1uF and above.

[@bobcatt2294]

I have 3 of these and need a new LCD screen - do you have knowledge of a screen replacement supplier? Second question - can you really test a cap with that meter?

[@bradthx]

The display is a standard HD44780 compatible 2x16 character display. Can be bought from almost any source, eBay is flooded with them. I would just pull the display out and check the form factor to make sure the board it has is the same physical size as the one you are purchasing. The display on this quadraverb is somewhat dim, I had planned on replacing it myself. In the case of a shorted capacitor, just checking resistance will show that it is bad.

[@bobcatt2294]

Thank you, will do what you have instructed.

[@KingBlonde]

Hey mate, I looked inside mine and it has none of the visual problems from this video (no blackening near regs, all caps look fine including electrolytes). It's making me question my power supply, what mA is your power supply? the Total specs of mine is OUTPUT: 9V x 2 AC 700mA. Thank you very much

[@bradthx]

Are you using the stock Alesis supply? It should be rated around 9V at 2 Amps for proper operation.

[@seedbarrett6853]

Mine went nuts on the display. It's showing random symbols. What can it be?

[@_mikkyo]

At 22:22 you mention the green ceramic capacitor is different to the orange, any chance you could explain in what way?

[@djmips]

C70 was a burned up tantulum cap (green?) and the orange replacement cap was a ceramic. The differences you can check in the Wikipedia so I won't repeat here.

[@_mikkyo]

@@djmips this was over a year ago but thanks i guess

[@Johnsormani]

I got a quad raven without power supply, I do have an 12v ac power supply I could use . Do you think the capacitors will be ok with that? Or should I try to get a. 9 volt version?

[@moviesquirrel4559]

from the point of the heat inside the unit it is better to use an external power supply with 9 - 10V AC with at least 2 A. The original PS has 9V and 3 A. If your external PS with 12 V AC has more Amps than 3 A it could generate more than 16 V inside what will overload the capacitors. If you have an external PS with 9 V AC and less than 1 A, the Quadraverb will go into a Reset state and will generate a noise with the period of your power grid, 50 od 60 Hz. It's recommemded to get the original power supply. Regards Steve from Hungary

[@djmips]

@@moviesquirrel4559 You are correct that the 12 V AC will dissipate more heat in the voltage regulators but only because the voltage is higher. Having a higher amp power supply won't be harmful as the unit will only sync what it needs for current. But higher voltage turns into more heat in the regulators.

[@moviesquirrel4559]

@@djmips The regulators inside the unit are well cooled, that is not the problem. A 12V AC power supply with 3 Amps will lost much less voltage than a 12 V AC power supply with 1 Amps. Critical is to use a 9 V AC power supply with less then 1 Amps. Such a PS lost a lot of voltages when the Quadraverb consumes 1,5 - 2 Amps constantly and the Quadraverb goes into Reset state.

[@mikhailkamnev]

Mine Q-V GT powers up and working good but after ~15 mins is starts to overload or smth, i can hear only a loud noise from it. Any ideas what to check first? i'm going to change all caps , and change the power transformer (it is 110v switched to 220 with an adapter)..GT version seems to sound a bit noisy

[@moviesquirrel4559]

It's easy to solve the problem. You must use an external power supply with 9 - 10 V AC with at least 2 A! If you have an external PS with 9 V AC and less than 1 A, after 10 - 15 minutes the power supply becomes heat and sink the voltage and the Quadraverb will go into a Reset state and will generate a noise with the period of your power grid, 50 or 60 Hz. It's recommemded to get the original power supply. Regards Steve from Hungary

[@neculaicostache3005]

Ma poți ajuta și pe mine cu detali despre mufa alimentatore cu 4 pini

[@juniorbarreto1935]

pena que eu não entendi nada

[@soundzbeatz3840]

Could you fix mine if I ship it, I will pay you?

[@nhackhongloi9.99]

Đồ này sài rất bầm dập