Discussion thread to the KORG PME-40X report

[chromandre]

I got my pme40x in , (thanks again for the assist laurie!) it is awesome I dont know of anything like waveshaper and octave V, I think I might need to clean some of the pots it seems -1.5 and -2 voices are only available in max distortion, it makes quite an evil effect wave shaper is interesting seems to have a slow attack and actually able to process basic chords

At the moment though just EQ before compressor is entertaining at 15V seems to have a hifi effect. slamming a boxy EQ into a squishy compressor is kind of reminiscent of revolver era beatles sounds I had fun writing a little ditty this way.

I may end up with 2 PMEs 1 to house the synthesizer effects and 1 to house eq compressor phaser chorus or flanger whichever can do a better rotary sim

[laurie]

(thanks again for the assist laurie!)

Quite welcome!

[laurie]

Forgive this off-topic post ... but thinking about vintage Korg I dug this out the other day. It has been kicking around in the long-term storage box for years. I needed something with a good microphone to use with a nylon-string acoustic that came into my possession.

Old, clunky (turn the knob to tune different strings!) but works perfectly.

Similar era I think?
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20260909_053522.jpg (341.88 KiB) Viewed 234 times

[Pepe]

Forgive this off-topic post ... but thinking about vintage Korg I dug this out the other day. It has been kicking around in the long-term storage box for years. I needed something with a good microphone to use with a nylon-string acoustic that came into my possession.

Old, clunky (turn the knob to tune different strings!) but works perfectly.

Similar era I think?

Yes, that's a KORG GT-6 from the late '70s/early '80s, so it does definitely fit in the era of the PME-40X. The "Guitar Tuner" labelling has a similar font as the SD-200 and SD-400 Signal Delay units of that time. I prefer tuners with a physical needle. I have the KORG GT-12, which came out in the early 2000s and it is as precise as nothing else that I know.

[Pepe]

I got my pme40x in , (thanks again for the assist laurie!) it is awesome I dont know of anything like waveshaper and octave V, I think I might need to clean some of the pots it seems -1.5 and -2 voices are only available in max distortion, it makes quite an evil effect wave shaper is interesting seems to have a slow attack and actually able to process basic chords

At the moment though just EQ before compressor is entertaining at 15V seems to have a hifi effect. slamming a boxy EQ into a squishy compressor is kind of reminiscent of revolver era beatles sounds I had fun writing a little ditty this way.

I may end up with 2 PMEs 1 to house the synthesizer effects and 1 to house eq compressor phaser chorus or flanger whichever can do a better rotary sim

Great to hear that your PME-40X has arrived and that you like it! The sliders will surely need a good cleaning and I am certain that the Octave V will work properly after that treatment. My personal method is to spray isopropyl spray inside, followed by vaseline spray. Of course you will have to disassemble the units for that - just be careful with the ribbon cables (those of the Octave V have a clip mechanism). All the contacts could need a portion of isopropyl alcohol, applied with a toothbrush. And while you're at it, resolder the connectors that link to the base unit. Apart from the sliders and potentiometers, these are the only parts that undergo a bit of physical stress.

Yes, basic chords are no problem for the Wave Shaper, but monophonic notes (especially those of the low octaves, generated by the Octave V) result in the most noticeable synthesizer sounds.

And you are absolutely correct. Due to the 15V rails, the PME-40X has hi-fi quality. With the old electrolytic capcitors you might notice a clipping sound swelling in with maximised compressor settings. Once it is recapped and calibrated, it will stay ultra-clean. Hit me up if you need any information or tipps regarding maintenance and capacitor selection (that all will be included in my soon to be continued documentation).