Moog MP201 owners: problem, solution...

JohnDavisNYC · #1 06-04-2009, 09:24 AM

So, as many people know, I got an MP201 recently and LOVE it... on the last Nerve tour, it started acting weird, and I was bumming hard because this thing has kinda changed my game, so to speak. Sometimes CV1 would jump to 100% and kinda sit there, no matter what, and sometimes it would feel like it wasn't smooth, etc... not cool stuff to happen during a gig.

Anyway, I was thinking about going back to my old setup, with the Robot Factory ModBox and EMU expression pedal, but it occurred to me that it could be as simple as a cold or cracked solder joint in the output jack...

I emailed tech support at Moog, who were super cool, and Ryan agreed that that could be the issue and told me that re-flowing the joints on the PCB where the jacks are mounted wouldn't void my warranty (ask before you do it, though!!!)...

I just did that today, and now it is like new again (except for the push button on the rotary encoder which is being a bit stubborn.... *sigh* )

Anyway, I think it is a design flaw that the jacks aren't screwed onto the chassis, only the PCB. I may mod mine with some chassis mounted switchcraft jacks and jumper wires... we'll see.

Anyhow, just watch out that the cables coming out of the MP201 don't get stepped on, or aren't on top of anything while you're stepping on it... somehow mine got bumped in just the right way to f things up.

Hopefully no-one else will have to deal with this issue, but it is an easy fix, and Moog was super cool about me doing it myself.

John

Mr. Pickles · #2 06-04-2009, 09:30 AM

PCB mounted jacks can be a disaster. For the price of the 'Foogers, one would expect they were mounted to the chassis.

TaySte_2000 · #3 06-04-2009, 09:35 AM

I'd have demanded a replacement for the cost of Moog stuff cheap build quality just isn't an option especially for a touring professional like yourself, sorta puts that "oh it's great, till next time" thought in your head and you're just waiting for it to go out.

Did you ever get the M13?

kevteop · #4 06-04-2009, 10:17 AM

Really, for the cost of the MP-201 I would expect better.

RCCollins · #5 06-04-2009, 10:29 AM

i'd read this before but never peeked inside. SUPER lame. A shame, really. Add this to the list of flaws and compromises that keep me from ever buying one of these. What a shame, because they sound awesome and have many bitchen features.

The thing is, their SYNTHS aren't constructed so poorly, so the Moogerfoogers really look like a quick cash-in on the non-synth side of the market

JohnDavisNYC · #6 06-04-2009, 10:58 AM

i think they just smoke too much grass in the design department there...

again, easy to fix, and easy to mod to be discrete switchcraft jacks (with jumper cables)...

i would say it is worth buying, despite these issues, just good to know about... i'm going to try mounting mine on a second PT, and maybe using right angle plugs that go down through the slot in the board and are zip tied up, so they can't be bumped.

i didn't get the M13 yet, TaySte... I've still got my eye on it, though...

John

TaySte_2000 · #7 06-04-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDavisNYC

i think they just smoke too much grass in the design department there...

again, easy to fix, and easy to mod to be discrete switchcraft jacks (with jumper cables)...

i would say it is worth buying, despite these issues, just good to know about... i'm going to try mounting mine on a second PT, and maybe using right angle plugs that go down through the slot in the board and are zip tied up, so they can't be bumped.

i didn't get the M13 yet, TaySte... I've still got my eye on it, though...

John

Mine arrives tomorrow

I'll keep you informed