Discussion about the Korg PolySix synthesizer

On Sat, 13 Jan 2001 goxflee@aol.com wrote:

> Its been so long since I saw a post that I forgot I was *on* this
> list! I have a question for everone.. Anybody have their P-6 midi'd?
> I'd like to hear if you do or not what your opinions are.. I've
> thought about getting it done but I also would not want to take even a
> .00000001% chance in harming my beloved synth. Hope you all and yer
> P-6's are doing well...

  I built MIDI into my first Polysix in 1985.  I made a circuit board that
placed an analog switch across each key.  Of course, this was done in
switch-matrix form on the board, not to the actual key contacts.  It works
gret to this day.  The nice thing about my board is that it is
non-intrusive: you do not have to cut any traces or attach jumper wires.
Everything was done through the keyboard connector.  Of course, you have
to drill holes for the MIDI jacks; I made my own 'sub-plate' (where the
power cord and serial number are located on their own plate).  I also
installed an IEC power connector there.

  Ricard Wolf designed a MIDI retrofit that uses a single Z80 CPU circuit
to replace both of the 8048/9-type microcontrollers on the KLM-366 and 367
boards.  His refit allows for more patch locations, MIDI transmit, patch
changes, etc.  (Mine just did MIDI-in with pedal sustain).  I built a
board and built Ricard's design into my 2nd Polysix.  It works great, but
bear in mind it requires trace-cutting and jumpering to create new actions
for the buttons and LEDs.

  I don't know how hard things like the Kenton retrofit are to use.

Crow

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