Strange CM-64 Problem

[Alkarion]

Man, what's up with that CM-64?

That MP3 was terrible. Not to mention all the instruments are wrong (I guess you didn't send the SysEx).

I did send the SysEx, but the unit really forgot them prior to changing the power adapter. It could take minutes or hours, but it wouldn't hold them for long. It took me some time to figure out that this was the problem, though. Because hearing these noises you refer to I guessed there must be something fundamentally wrong with my module.

But now everything is all right. I loaded up the patches from Wing Commander and the CM-64 held them for the entire night. I'm really grateful that my module isn't gone. Yet, I'm still puzzled by this because I assume that if you do nothing at all, and the synth only has to refresh its memory, how could that require peak currents? Also, the power adapter and the module worked nicely together so far, so can these adapters degrade?

Yes, I'm glad. One of the reasons I love this community, smart helpful folk who can provide timely advice!

Yes indeed, thanks for your help!

[Alistair]

I would say this to you- if your adapter has degraded- throw it out! Theyr'e like 10 Euros and not hard to find. Not worth losing a module over.

- Alistair

[Laust]

But now everything is all right. I loaded up the patches from Wing Commander and the CM-64 held them for the entire night. I'm really grateful that my module isn't gone. Yet, I'm still puzzled by this because I assume that if you do nothing at all, and the synth only has to refresh its memory, how could that require peak currents? Also, the power adapter and the module worked nicely together so far, so can these adapters degrade?

The CM-64 uses SRAM, which doesn't need refreshing the same way DRAM does.  I think HondaSir was on the right track. Low and fluctuating output from an overheating power supply caused the CM-64 to reset, and when that happens one of the things it does is clear the memory and revert to the default settings.