KORG WAVESTATION SERIAL NUMBER

Once all the modifications are done and checked, the Wavestation can be reassembled, and powered on.

I replaced C30 on the PSU board with a modern MLCC 100nF capacitor, as preventative maintenance.

Replace R17 with 6K8 and R16 with 3K9 resistors, to get the contrast correct.

Add a 100R resistor between +V pad of C28 to where Pin 4 of T2 was.

Remove C28, C29, R17 and R18 from the PSU board as they are not needed.

Remove EL transformer (T2) from the PSU board.

Connect the A and K terminals on the back of the display to the old LCD back light cable.

Add a 3K9 resistor between Pin 2 and Pin 4 to modify the contrast voltage.

Pin 19 needs to be connected to Pin 3 (+5V) using thin wire to ensure the right font is used.

Pins 19, 20, 21, 22 should be removed or cut from the header on the LED display.

I reused the old 2-wire LCD EL power cable that goes to CN11A (CN4 on early models) on the PSU board, with a minor change to the board (detailed below). The display is connected to a 20 pin-header on the main PCB at CH13A, I made a new 20-pin ribbon cable with sockets to connect to the new display. I bought my white on black display from BuyDisplay with the pin connector fitted. New LED Display The large 64 x 240 LCD is best replaced with a modern LED display which is nearly plug compatible, it lasts longer and enables the noisy inverter to be removed. Here is a visual guide and more information on the new LED replacement process. The disassembly of the Wavestation is a complex and lengthy process, I photographed and documented every stage. The component values referred to in this post are for the original Wavestation, the component numbers and values are different in the AD rack version. The scratches on the panel, created during its long stay in my garage would have to stay. The Refurb My Wavestation needed a new back light, new front panel buttons, keys cleaning and some scratches on the screen removed. It does have the advantage of displaying the waveforms.

I do have iWavestation on an iPad but it is not quite the same as the original in sound or play-ability. In 2020 I dug the WS1 out to refurbish and possibly sell, but once plugged in and making sounds in the new Garden Studio I decided to keep it. As my studio grew the Wavestation was rather side lined and then put in the garage for storage for 20 years, where it gathered dust and scratches. I added a few sound cards, Drums and Performance 3.

I loved the wave table sounds and the keyboard with after touch. It was a big purchase for me back then, and my first digital synthesizer, which I used for many tracks in the early 1990’s.

KORG WAVESTATION SERIAL NUMBER

Overview I bought my Korg Wavestation new in 1990 as a grey import with no serial number for £1200, £400 of RRP.

Korg wavestation