Prophet X/XL Troubleshooting

If the unit is not booting:

A. Resetting the Motherboard

1. Plug a wired computer keyboard into the rear USB sample loading port.
2. Power on the instrument. When the loading bar gets close to full, press F1 on the computer keyboard. If nothing happens, wait a few minutes and press F1 again.
3. After a few minutes, power the unit off and on, and see if there is any change in boot progress. 

Note: some keyboards require holding a function key (Fn) to enable F1-F12.

If the unit boots but has an issue, perform initial settings first:

INITIAL SETTINGS

1. Start by removing all connections (MIDI/USB, pedals, audio) from the rear of the instrument except for power. 

2. Reset global parameters: press GLOBALS to enter the Global Parameters menu.
   

3. Navigate to 36. Reset Globals.

4. Press Soft Tab 1 with the heading "Reset Now" to initiate the procedure.

5. Connect a set of headphones to the headphone output.

Next, proceed to the appropriate section below according to the issue described:

I. Audio Issues (voices not triggering or not sounding correctly)

A. Perform Initial Settings

1. Verify if the issue is still present. If so, proceed to step B.

B. Calibrate Filters

1. Press GLOBALS to enter the Global Parameters menu.
2. Navigate to 31. Calibrate Filters.
3. Press Soft Tab 1 with the heading "Start Tuning" to initiate the procedure.

C. Distortion In Audio Outputs

1. Is distortion present on the headphone output? If so, try turning down the AMP ENVELOPE AMOUNT.  

2. If no distortion is present on the headphone output, verify correct cables are in use (TS unbalanced) and that the instrument is connected to the appropriate audio interface/mixer input (Line level input).  

3. If distortion is still present, check the instrument with another set of cables and audio interface/mixer inputs.

4. If distortion is still present on the Main L/R outputs, reduce MASTER VOLUME to below 50%.  If distortion ceases, this indicates that repair is necessary.
   

D. Filter Cutoff Having No Effect

1. Connect an expression pedal to the Pedal/CV port at the rear of the instrument.

2. Set expression pedal to the minimum level and power instrument off.

3. Remove the expression pedal from the port while the pedal is still at minimum setting.

F. Output Level Mismatch

1. Differences in output level between the left and right main outputs of 1-2dB are within expected tolerances. This is due to the analog nature of the amplifier circuitry in our instruments. Additionally, the stereo samples in the Prophet X/XL are not perfectly balanced in the left and right channels, intentionally so in most cases.
   

G. Factory samples are missing or named incorrectly

1. Enter the Debug Menu by holding Transpose Up + Down and pressing Global.
2. Select Reload Sample Names and press Write.
3. Exit the debug menu by pressing the Global button.

II. Tuning Issues

A. Perform Initial Settings

1. Verify if the issue is still present. If so, proceed to B and C. If the issue is still present after steps B and C, proceed to step D.

B. Wheel Calibration

1. Press GLOBALS to enter the Global Parameters menu.
2. Navigate to 29. Calibrate Wheels.
3. Press Soft Tab 1 with the heading " Start Cal" to initiate the procedure.
4. Follow the prompts on the display.

III. MIDI Issues

A. Perform Initial Settings

1. Verify if the issue is still present. If so, depending on the description of the problem, proceed to step B, C, D.

B. Instrument Not Outputting MIDI

1. Press GLOBALS to enter the Global Parameters menu.
2. Navigate to 11. MIDI Out Select.
   
3. Check that the correct port is selected.

C. Instrument's Voice Count is Halved

1. This is due to a MIDI feedback loop. When the synth is actively connected to a DAW via USB or MIDI, turn LOCAL CONTROL off with steps 2-4.

2. Press GLOBALS to enter the Global Parameters menu.

3. Navigate to 15. Local Control.

4. Set to OFF.
   

D. Pots/Encoders Not Updating Correctly

1. This is due to a MIDI feedback loop. When the synth is actively connected to a DAW via USB or MIDI, turn LOCAL CONTROL off with steps C2-4.

IV. Button Issues

A. Perform Initial Settings

1. Verify if the issue is still present. If so, proceed to step B.

B. Button Cleaning Routine

1. The buttons on our instruments are self-cleaning. In most cases, buttons that are intermittent/non-operative can be resolved by being fully depressed 50-100 times.

2. If the operation improves but is still intermittent, repeat step B1.

V. Pot/Encoder Issues

A. Perform Initial Settings

1. Verify if the issue is still present. If so, depending on the description of the problem, proceed to step B, C, D.

B. Pot/parameter Value Changes On Its Own

1. Turn the pot back and forth across its full range of travel 50-100 times.  

2. Set pot to minimum or maximum setting and check whether pot/parameter continues to change on its own.

3. If it does not, set the pot to its midpoint and check whether the pot/parameter continues to change on its own.

4. If the parameter continues to change on its own, the pot requires replacement.

C. Encoder Value Does Not Update On Every Detent

1. Due to the manner in which the encoders are scanned, it is possible for an encoder to not update a value for 1-2 detents. This is within expected tolerances and is not considered a fault.

D. Pot Feels Wobbly

1. Excessive horizontal pressure applied to a pot may cause the pot shaft to loosen within the housing of the pot’s enclosure. It is advised to not apply excessive non-axial force when turning a pot.

2. If the pot works correctly to set value (no jumps in value or value change without physical movement), then the pot is working correctly and no fault is present.

VI. Keybed Issues

A. Perform Initial Settings

1. Verify if the issue is still present. If so, proceed to step B.

B. Key Contact Cleaning

1. Fully depress the key in question.

2. Press the key into the aftertouch circuit with a good deal of force.

3. Wiggle the key and release.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 until the key operates as expected.