Description: For sale is a used Akai AX73 Programmable Polyphonic Synthesizer. Overall, this synthesizer is in good working order and fair cosmetic condition for its age. See below for additional details. I am selling this instrument as is. Returns will be accepted only if the synthesizer arrives in any condition other than what is pictured and described in this listing. In that case, I will issue a full refund, including shipping and return shipping costs. Shipping to lower 48 US States only. Buyer pays actual shipping. Free local pickup available. Functional condition Indicator lights The indicator light above the "Edit" button does not work. This does not affect operation. All other lights function normally. Inputs and outputs I do not have the cable or compatible sampler required to test the the proprietary sampler input. I am unable to test the tape input and tape output. I am unable to test the MIDI thru. All other I/O is tested working. Sliders The original slider knobs have been replaced with 3D-printed nylon parts ordered from shapeways. The volume slider can be scratchy at the top of its travel. The value slider skips around values sometimes. These issues may improve with an application of plastic-safe moving-contact lubricant. The value up and value down buttons provide reliable programming adjustments without using the value slider. Signal path All keys trigger and release properly. Velocity response is smooth and consistent across the entire keyboard. Voice auto-tuning works well. All six voices are in excellent condition, producing notes of identical volume and pitch. Envelopes sound good, filters sweep smoothly, and modulation works as expected. With the volume maxed out, you can hear notes sustained above the noise floor. I do not notice this unless I am playing on headphones or processing the output using an overdrive or distortion pedal. This synth could use new capacitors, and there are three variable resistors that may require adjustment (the "VR1 Balance" on the PSU board and the "VR7 / VR8 VCA Offset" on the voice board). This may remedy the issue. Variable resistor adjustment is described on page 8 of the Akai VX60 Service Manual (PDF). The chorus sounds good, but it is somewhat noisy. Display The display is readable and responsive. The first batch of images demonstrates readability outdoors in bright afternoon sun. The two closeup images of the display illustrate backlight performance under natural window light and in a dark room. Cosmetic condition Case There are scuffs and scratches on most visible surfaces. The end caps have small dents and many scratches. A previous owner placed tape on the top panel, leaving the paint blemished near the silkscreen legends on the left side. The felts on the screw-in feet on the bottom of the case are peeling. Spots of rust can be seen in some places on the case. See the pictures for closeups. The rust has not expanded significantly under my ownership. Plastics Plastics susceptible to yellowing have yellowed. The keys of the uppermost octave have discoloration in the shape of fingerprints. The plastic in the area of discoloration has a somewhat grainy texture. They were like this when I purchased the keyboard; their condition is unchanged since then. This does not affect operation. I do not notice this when playing the instrument; your experience may vary. Proposition 65 This synthesizer can expose you to toxic chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other harm. This instrument was manufactured in 1986. When working with any vintage electronics, proper safety protocols must be in place. To reduce risks associated with exposure, wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking when handling vintage electronics or playing vintage musical instruments. Opinion The remainder of this description is included for reference only. As a synth This synthesizer is always fun to play, sometimes fun to program. It's quick to learn, and it isn't difficult to write a patch that sits well in a mix (onboard HPF helps). Basic patches sound great, and you never have to hit an octave switch. Unfortunately, it lacks the programming depth available to other synths using Curtis CEM chips, and it has no split or layered voice modes. The other Akai AX synths offer much better programmability. As a controller As a midi controller, it features the most responsive and comfortable synth-action keyboard I've played on. The action is fast and somewhat firm for its type; it's not difficult to play quiet passages quickly, and playing notes at max velocity doesn't feel like a risk to your hands or the instrument. If you don't need aftertouch or complicated splits, this synth makes an outstanding master MIDI keyboard. The sturdy top panel has plenty of space to set up a synth, sampler, sound module, mixer, or some combination thereof, and the area to the left side of the control panel offers adequate space to rest a pair of headphones. It's a great companion to keyless desktop or "keyboard-impaired" synthesizers like the MicroKorg. As a device It features the slick design language of mid-to-late-1980s AKAI samplers. It's huge. It's heavy. The build quality is amazing, but it is not fun to lug around. It has an internal power supply (no wall wart), but the power cord is not removable. Using the sampler input, a 13-pin DIN cable may be wired to 6 unbalanced audio connectors (supposedly sleeves to pin 1, tips to pins 2-7) to process external signals using the onboard filters and envelopes, though I haven't tried this. Additional information The AX73 page on Vintage Synth Explorer VSE: Akai AX-73 A scan of the manual for this synthesizer is available as a PDF Akai AX73 Operator Manual (PDF) Replacement parts Vintage Curtis CEM 3394 chips cost $20 to $100 USD (as of April 2024). Replacing a dead voice with an original part will cost that plus labor. The ALFA RPAR AS3394-HYB (HYB-20) synthesizer voice chip, a modern replacement, is available for $18-$30. The "DIL-20" package linked below is pin-compatible with the original CEM 3394. Replacement Synth Voice - CEM 3394 (HYB-20)
Price: 750 USD
Location: Downingtown, Pennsylvania
End Time: 2024-09-25T22:49:47.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Number of Keys: 73
Type of Keys: Synth
Input/Output Ports: MIDI (DIN) In, MIDI (DIN) Out, MIDI (DIN) Thru, Sampler In (13-pin DIN), Headphone Out (Stereo 1/4" TRS), Audio Out (1/4") L / Mono, Audio Out (1/4") R, Program Up (1/4"), Sustain (1/4"), Tape In, Tape Out
Analog/Digital: Analog
Item Length: 45.35 inches (1152 mm)
California Prop 65 Warning: This synthesizer can expose you to toxic chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other harm. This instrument was manufactured in 1986. When working with any vintage electronics, proper safety protocols must be in place. To reduce risks associated with exposure, wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking when handling vintage electronics or playing vintage musical instruments.
Brand: Akai
Type: Keyboard Synthesizer
Item Height: 4.33 inches (110 mm)
Model: Akai AX73
Pedal Inputs: 2
Features: Modulation Wheel, Pitch Wheel, Polyphonic, Chorus
Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan
Item Weight: 33 pounds (15 kg)
Item Width: 14.33 inches (364 mm)
