Roland XP-80 LCD Replacement

I have been using the XP-80 I fixed some time back, I recently had to re-open it and re-solder some SMT chips again due to a no-booting issue. While I’m in there I replaced the LCD screen with a new one.

You need to buy new LCM32080 LCD module. You can buy one from Sinda Display (https://www.sindadisplay.com/Contact-us.html).

There is some difference between the original and the new screen, mainly the backlight voltage. To use the new LCD you need to first modify your XP-80’s main board (or the LCM). If you have to try the LCD, disconnect the synth’s +-15V supply, you will lose audio output and backlight.

The new LCD has a low-voltage backlight and draw much more current than the original SHARP one. To accommodate that I disconnected the -15V supply to the LCD backlight and connected the LCD backlight negative side to ground. I disconnected the +15V supply to the LCD and connected it to +5V via a 47R resistor. You can use a larger value resistor if you want dimmer backlight. This resistor has to have a power rating of at least 1W! Failing to do so is a fire hazard!

The new LCD still need the negative bias voltage so that has to be retained.

• LCD pin 1 goes to +5V via 47R 1W resistor. Remove R111
• LCD pin 2 goes to GND. Remove L16
• LCD pin 3 goes to -15V supply via 100R resistor. Remove R112. You need to supply a new 100R resistor

You can also modify the display itself which is less intrusive to the synth, but it involves cutting traces which can be difficult.

As you can see in the photo, I did not perform this modification, which led to the resistor burned up.

After tearing down the unit, carefully remove the bezel from the original module by inserting an utility knife blade. Re-assemble the unit with the new LCD module, and finally apply double-sided tape and stick the bezel onto the new LCD module from outside the unit after removing the protective film on the LCM.