<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><div id="yiv2774850033"><div><div style="color:#000;background-color:#fff;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt;">Hi all, <br><br>My name is Chris.<br>Heard about ModLab from Luc Lalande (he told me great stuff about you guys!)<br>and have been wanting to go since then (early summer). Just wasn't sure or didn't fit in my schedule...<br>But now I'm pretty much ready, I think. Which leads to my first question:<br><span style="font-weight: bold;">** When is the next ModLab ???</span><br><br>I read online that it's every second Wednesdays of the month, the calendars says for October that it's on<br>the first and thrid Wed. of the month, and then I also read a post here that says it's now every week...<br><br>Secondly, I'm wondering if I'm actually relevant to what people do in this group/in
those meetings.<br>I don't wanna waste anyone's time or energy... Here's more info:<br><br>I'm an electronic musician (studio mainly) and have an interest in older analog synthesizers and such,<br>from the late 70's, 80's and early 90's. Things like Korg Polysix and Poly-61, Akai AX-60 and AX-73, <br>Kawai SX-240, Yamaha SK-20, SIEL EX-80, Alesis Quadraverb, Oberheim Matrix-1000, etc... <br>(I list those because that's what I own)<br><div id="yiv2774850033yui_3_7_2_70_1381157128639_39"><br></div><div style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:16px;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;background-color:transparent;font-style:normal;" id="yiv2774850033yui_3_7_2_70_1381157128639_96">I'm interested in <span style="font-weight: bold;">*modifying* </span>those to make them more fun and more usable live (adding pots to tweak sounds)</div><div id="yiv2774850033yui_3_7_2_70_1381157128639_119" style="color:rgb(0, 0,
0);font-size:16px;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;background-color:transparent;font-style:normal;">or changing/improving the sound they make. Also to maintain or repair them (30 years capacitors... leaking Ni-Cd batteries... ichhh)</div><div id="yiv2774850033yui_3_7_2_70_1381157128639_114" style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:16px;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;background-color:transparent;font-style:normal;">And finally (ultimately) to use them as original and unique artistic tools in my creation process and maybe with other artists on collaborative projects.<br><br>Now, a lot of those electronics is discrete analog stuff, through-hole soldering and early microprocessors.</div><div id="yiv2774850033yui_3_7_2_70_1381157128639_155" style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:16px;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;background-color:transparent;font-style:normal;">I understand it's probably not very
trendy (not Arduino-based, not Surface-Mount, no coding involved, not 3D printing) (sorry!) <br>and a lot of those parts and schematics are hard to find. But that kinda makes it a nice challenge, for me (and it's also simpler to temper with).<br></div><div id="yiv2774850033yui_3_7_2_70_1381157128639_160" style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:16px;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;background-color:transparent;font-style:normal;">But it might not be interesting for many
people... Don't know... So, my second question is:<br id="yiv2774850033yui_3_7_2_70_1381157128639_132"></div><div id="yiv2774850033yui_3_7_2_70_1381157128639_129" style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:16px;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;background-color:transparent;font-style:normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">** Are these kind of projects interesting/relevant to your group ?<br></span><br>Also, I'm not much experienced in those things. But I love to learn and have time and a need for it these days.<br>I also have a science background (univ. level), which makes it easy to understand complex things and do my research and learning.<br>I unfortunately don't have a lot of money to invest in this (well... not anymore! :-) )<br>I bought myself a used analog oscilloscope (Tektronix 2213, 60 MHz) with new cheap Chinese 1x/10x probes.<br>Still trying to learn how to use it...<br>I bought a new soldering
iron and some accessories. Have made a few very basic repairs so far. So, good to go!<br>Which leads me to my last question:<br><span style="font-weight: bold;">** Are these meetings a place where I will easily be able to find help and some form of tutoring/mentoring for my projects?<br></span><br>I'm really just looking for technical cues and hints, pointers, references, techniques, etc...<br>But if someone wants to get on board my projects and do them with me, that can also be great! Team work is fun and motivating.<br><br>So, thanks for your time and maybe see you there on a Wed. sometimes...<br>-Chris<br><br>Here is a list of my specific projects, for those who care:<br><br>MAIN FUN PROJECTS<br>======================<br>*Korg Poly-61: (I have 4 units, some work, some have to be repaired or maintained) (got service manual and schematics for this synth)<br> - Install MIDI interface;<br> - Find out how to modify this
microprocessor-controlled synth to install analog knobs to change cutoff, resonance, etc... in real-time;<br> - Install a Korg Polysix Ensemble-Chorus board into them (have 3 spare standalone boards);<br> (I have some schematics for that mod, but it's not clear to me and I'm not 100% sure how I can include it in another synth)<br><br>*Akai AX-73 (no service manual or schematics so far...)<br> - Find out how to modify this microprocessor-controlled synth to install analog knobs to change cutoff, resonance, etc... in real-time;<br><br><br>OTHER SIDE PROJECTS<br>======================<br>*Kawai SX-240:<br> -Change a blown IC<br> -Fix volume problem, if the new IC doesn't do it.<br><br>*SIEL EX-80 module<br> -Find and properly install or connect, a suitable 16V AC, 500mA, power supply for this unit<br><br>*Alesis Quadraverb<br> -Repair the unit : Put new 16x2 (HD44780) LCD Display and connect it
properly; Fix an intermittent power problem (chg switch)<br> -Modify to reduce background noise (change capacitors)<br><br>*Korg Polysix<br> -Reduce background noise<br> -Insert an Arduino processor in it, adding bunch of cool new functions like aftertouch, MIDI, etc. (it's been done by someone before)<br><br>*Yamaha SK-20<br> -Repair the Tremolo function<br> -Try to see if a MIDI interface can be retrofitted<br><br>*Research how I can modify or bend any of those synths to get interesting innovative and artistic results on sound and expression.<br> Or by retrofitting newer technologies into them!<br><br>*Get inspired by these and CREATE!<br><br></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>