Yes Dan. For years my Polaris has also--from time to time--frozen when powered-on, with all the LEDs lit. I've never known the cause, but I think it might have something to do with the cracking of the membrane ribbon cables that connect the two large circuit boards on the upper panel. About a year and a half ago I took the Polaris in for repair, and these ribbons were given a temporary fix by applying solder to the cracked pathways. Since then it hasn't had any of those mysterious boot-up freezes...(knock-on-wood.)
Regarding a sudden loss of volume...I never experienced that problem, but funky things of all kinds happen when those ribbons crack.
Many of us on this forum are waiting to hear word about a run of replacement panels, which will likely solve most of the problems inherent with a vintage Polaris. I think Paul DeRocco is the one who is heading that operation. Likewise, someone else mentioned another solution to the membrane ribbon issue; apparently by replacing the old ribbons with a different type. It probably means that new connectors were also attached, replacing the old ones. Hopefully this individual will post instructions on how to obtain and install the necessary parts.
~Ryan
To: chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com
From: fojammi@...
Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2011 01:22:33 +0000
Subject: [chromapolaris] Volume adjustment
My Polaris has worked fine for many, many years. It has been turned on pretty much nonstop for 20 years. No problems. Recently I did a rare live show, and turned the beast off to move it. When I turned it on again, all the panel LEDs lit and there was no sound. Unplugging and replugging the pedal and sustain switch jacks seemed to clear up the problem. LEDs went back to their regular behavior and the correct sounds returned. When I moved the synth back home, I got the same weirdness with the LEDs all lighting and no sound, but replugging jacks and cycling power didn't have any effect for a day or so. Then, about a day later, it seemed to work: the LEDs went back to their correct settings, and the sounds came back. But they are all at about a quarter of their previous volume. I tried doing the adjustments listed on page 108 of the manual. But there is a problem with those directions. They instruct you to "turn the MASTER slider all the way up", and then to "raise the MASTER slider until you hear the note just begin to bleed through". I don't understand how you can raise the slider any more after it is "all the way up". I haven't had any luck playing around with this. I have tried pressing LF, Adjustments,9 twice, without any perceptible change. Anyone ever run across this weirdness? Thanks!!