<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=iso-8859-1"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Thanks for the reminder to update the wiki wording and Google Calendar entry. ModLab gatherings are *every* Wednesday now.<div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.artengine.ca/modlab/index.php/Main_Page#Dates">http://www.artengine.ca/modlab/index.php/Main_Page#Dates</a></div><div><br></div><div>Andrew.</div><div><br><div><div>On 2013-10-07, at 4:20 PM, Stann Loo <<a href="mailto:stannloo@yahoo.com">stannloo@yahoo.com</a>> wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><div><div style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt; "><div id="yiv2774850033"><div style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); 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="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="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="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="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="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="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>_______________________________________________<br>Lab mailing list<br>1. subscribe <a href="http://artengine.ca/mailman/listinfo/lab">http://artengine.ca/mailman/listinfo/lab</a><br>2. then email <a href="mailto:Lab@artengine.ca">Lab@artengine.ca</a></blockquote></div><br></div></body></html>