Is it pretty straight forward to replace a EB4JS effects boa

Got a fault on my effects all the reverbs sound very crackly I presume this is the effects card. How difficult is it to replace the card is it hard to get to? I have built computers in the past so have had a bit of experience with plug in/out boards.

Thanks

Is it easy to get to?

captaink wrote:Is it easy to get to?

No, it's a right pain in the ass to access.

IIRC it located underneath the motherboard PCB, so a fair bit of dismantling is required.

peek wrote:Finally we found the effectboard. It was hiding in the darkest corner of the mpc...it was a nice experience seeing alle the mpc4000 parts inside.

Make no mistake, its not plug and play with a screw like an EB16 for the MPC2000, some pretty major dismantling is necessary.

EB4JS (Shown below)


Follow the link and you'll see the EB4JS attached to the underside (right) of the motherboard, close to where the MIDI ports are attached.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/43931153@N08/4408491482/

Cheers for that may pay to get someone to sort it who knows what their doing.

The first 30 seconds of this video by Ian Canefire shows where the EB4JS is located on the Akai Z4/8.



How convenient of Akai to provide the rack samplers with an easy access panel underneath. The same would have been appreciated on the MPC4000, but no. We are forced into major internal surgery to get to it!

Does seem odd? I thought that it was an optional extra on some 4000's and if you look at the other upgradable parts they are a simple job.

captaink wrote:I have built computers in the past so have had a bit of experience with plug in/out boards.

Well it may be an easy job for you if you've built PC's, but its still a PITA to get to the EB4JS.

By all means, give it a go if you feel confident, and if you do take on the task, take some pics of the process to inform others of whats actually involved.

captaink wrote:Does seem odd? I thought that it was an optional extra on some 4000's and if you look at the other upgradable parts they are a simple job.

I think the EB4JS would have been a factory/authorised service centre installed upgrade. Its clearly not the type of job for the average consumer to take on.

Good luck!

Cheers Clint may have a go just need to track one down at a good price.

Kirk

Where are you located?

Clint wrote:Where are you located?

York UK

captaink wrote:

Clint wrote:Where are you located?

York UK

There you go, EB4JS for £110.00.


http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/akai- ... 1066472730



I believe the seller is a member here, so negotiate...

Cheers seen that one try and get a bit cheaper if I can. No rush.

Replacing the EB is one of the annoying things to have to do to the 4k.
Not because it's difficult but because it's problematic.
You have to remove and disconnect a major portion of the 4k and it's the area that is highly susceptible to adding a new issue.

Why Akai stuck the EB underneath all the stuff they did is baffling.
The location mandates a trap door for sure.

Just remember to take your time and properly disassemble things so you don't add any issues to the 4k.

THE ADVERSARY wrote:Replacing the EB is one of the annoying things to have to do to the 4k...You have to remove and disconnect a major portion of the 4k and it's the area that is highly susceptible to adding a new issue.

Why Akai stuck the EB underneath all the stuff they did is baffling.
The location mandates a trap door for sure.

If you look at the video I posted, you'll see a perfectl placed access panel on the Z4. This tells me that the motherboard was designed purposely for the Z series samplers. In terms of the MPC 4000 which came later, they just threw the motherboard into the casing, and said "it fits". The writing was on the wall for hardware samplers at that point so I can see why they took a shortcut.

Anyone who has never tried to remove the EB4JS may want to reserve judgement on how 'easy' it to service. If you feel confident , try it by all means. But be prepared for an absolute nightmare...

I've seen EB4JS go for between £75 and £150, but they don't come around often. If you need one there won't be too many opportunities on the horizon, especially with Z4 owners snapping them up!