TAU acting erratically – looking for repair options

Eigenharp
1

Hi everyone,

I’m having a serious issue with my Eigenharp TAU and wanted to ask if anyone has experienced something similar or knows someone who could help repair it.

When I connect the TAU to the Base Station (using proper power supply), it starts triggering random notes and LED lights even when the USB is completely disconnected from the computer. No software is running, and the glitch begins as soon as the instrument is powered.

Here’s what I’ve tested so far:

  • I’ve tried a second Ethercon cable → no change
  • I’ve completely unplugged everything and performed a full reset → no change
  • I’ve verified the power supply is original and stable
  • The issue happens without any connection to a computer or to EigenD
  • The lights and notes appear to be random, as if there’s digital noise or signal corruption

This makes me think the problem lies in either the Base Station or the TAU hardware itself — possibly something corrupted or a failing component.

I live in Mexico, so shipping the instrument back to the UK would be very difficult and expensive.

Does anyone know of someone experienced with Eigenharp repairs or diagnostics — ideally in North America or willing to help remotely?

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Francisco Colosanto

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Unfortunately I cannot help. But perhaps you find another Eigenharp player in your area with whom you could double check whether it is the basestation or the Tau?
If it is the first then somebody with generic electronics understanding might be able to look at it and try to find out what might be wrong?

Contacting Eigenlabs cannot hurt - perhaps they have documentation that could be given to a local electronics expert. No idea whether anything will come back.

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3

so, many years back, I had a similar issue with my Alpha.

I determined, in my case, it was a loose connector on the Alpha.
as, I noticed that ‘wiggling’ the cable at the Alpha end would sometimes trigger the issue.
I’d also find that sometimes, the leds would turn off and EigenD would lose connection.

but as it was a while back, I returned it to EigenLabs and they fixed it for me.
so thats definitely the best option.

the things I would check first is…
(unfortunately, I suspect you have done this already…)

a) try to determine if its at the Tau or Basestation end.
b) is it the cable
c) make sure the cable is tightly connected at both ends - it has a screw cap which tightens the connection ( * )

( * ) this does not need to be super tight, as this will stop you unplugging without loosening, but its worth checking.

other than that, I dont really have any suggestions.

I will point out we were told by EigenLabs that users opening the Eigenharps was not a good idea, as if you open them they need recalibrating (with special equipment)

however, some have opened theirs and found they were ok - so we don’t know under what situation the recalibration would be required. so its still ‘risky’.

so yeah, best option, is to try to get in contact with EigenLabs if at all possible, and go from there.

sorry, can’t be much help, but its all I have.

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4

Thanks a lot for your help !!

cheers

Francisco

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