Korg Forums

[ru2def]

Several months ago, I embarked on a project to mod my venerable MicroKorg so that it would work a bit more like a MiniMoog, with a hinged control panel. Today, I'm very happy to say it's finally done.

The full writeup is on my site there, in several parts that track the overall progress. I wanted to post a couple of shots here, but I'm having issues embedding the images in this forum, so I'd say just go check out the original post for the full deal.

I'd love to know what you all think, this was a ton of work and I'm glad that it's done!

[tpantano]

[stuck]

Really cool I think I saw something like that before a few months ago, but can't remember where.

[krazy78]

That's awesome , well done it looks great.
I have a project like that in mind, but with full size keys
from a used midi controller.

[neotechtonics]

top work! no more neck pain to read the knob parameters
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http://soundcloud.com/neotechtonics

KORG GEAR: EMX1-SM -- EMX1-SD -- KAOSS PAD3 -- MICROKORG -- KAOSSILATOR PRO -- NANOKONTROL1
OTHER GEAR: Roland SP404, MC303 -- Akai MPC-2500 SE -- Zoom R16 -- effects pedals -- DJ-gear -- Access Virus B

[ru2def]

Thanks everyone! And yeah, the edit matrix is so much easier to deal with this way, especially with it up on the second tier of my stand. I think this is how it was meant to go all along. I'd be happy to answer any questions about it if people have them, too.

[neotechtonics]

first questions: why not add floor pedals to change octaves or an expression pedal for the MOD wheel next?
_________________
http://soundcloud.com/neotechtonics

KORG GEAR: EMX1-SM -- EMX1-SD -- KAOSS PAD3 -- MICROKORG -- KAOSSILATOR PRO -- NANOKONTROL1
OTHER GEAR: Roland SP404, MC303 -- Akai MPC-2500 SE -- Zoom R16 -- effects pedals -- DJ-gear -- Access Virus B

[Synthoid]

Nicely done!

I'd like to do the same thing with my Radias, which shouldn't be too difficult since the keyboard and module are already separate components.


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M3, Triton Classic, Radias, Motif XS, Alesis Ion (For Sale)

[ru2def]

The floor pedals to switch octaves wouldn't be too bad, since you'd just have to wire into the same circuits that the existing pushbuttons use. The biggest trick would be getting the right current through them all the way down to a hefty foot-stomping pedal. Not sure exactly how to match all of that up. It's a neat idea though.

I've thought of using some of the space in the base for things like an onboard power transformer, which would let me get rid of the wall wart power supply, but haven't gotten that far yet.

[stuck]

Do you mean the space under the keybed? I saw a video on Youtube once of someone taking apart a microkorg, and it is quite "empty" inside (that's why it hardly weighs anything), so it probably would fit.

[ru2def]

No, I actually mean the space in the new base that's holding it all together. It's a chunk of oak about an inch thick and it covers the whole footprint, so I could pretty easily hollow out pieces of it without sacrificing structural integrity. Incidentally, this piece is one of the main reasons the weight of my project went up by so much, so I might end up hollowing out parts of it anyway just to lighten it up.

The insides of the MK are fairly empty as is, but I don't think think they're quite empty enough for a power supply, considering you'd have to keep it isolated from the rest of the electronics.

[neotechtonics]

I'm not sure about putting the transformer inside the unit. I would think it'd be better to keep that as far away as possible from the sound generating circuitry and audio signals to avoid interference... not so? not to mention possible heat build up (which wouldn't be severe... even after hours of jamming on the microkorg my wallwart is only warm)

but definitely look into the possibility of foot pedals for octave and mod wheel... those are the 2 most practical modifications i can think of. I'm always thinking in terms of making gear easier to play live.
_________________
http://soundcloud.com/neotechtonics

KORG GEAR: EMX1-SM -- EMX1-SD -- KAOSS PAD3 -- MICROKORG -- KAOSSILATOR PRO -- NANOKONTROL1
OTHER GEAR: Roland SP404, MC303 -- Akai MPC-2500 SE -- Zoom R16 -- effects pedals -- DJ-gear -- Access Virus B

[ru2def]

I dint think a transformer of that size would interfere that much. Plus, it's a digital synth, so there's less that can go wrong. The mod wheel would be pretty tricky, I think you'd need to match the pot to the one in the wheel, or maybe an encoder. Not sure what's in there now, I'd have to check on that. If you ever figure our how to do that yourself, be sure to post back and let us all know.

[neotechtonics]

a matched potentiometer or the existing one from the wheel would be best/easiest option. but taking into account any additional resistance from the length of the pedal wires not sure how you'd do all this cos i havent looked inside the microK before. all my tinkering has been circuit bending cheap electronics like putting 1/4inch mono jacks on kids toys so i can patch them into other gear =P nothing to the lengths you've gone.. that reminds me i need to get some supplies at the radio shack
_________________
http://soundcloud.com/neotechtonics

KORG GEAR: EMX1-SM -- EMX1-SD -- KAOSS PAD3 -- MICROKORG -- KAOSSILATOR PRO -- NANOKONTROL1
OTHER GEAR: Roland SP404, MC303 -- Akai MPC-2500 SE -- Zoom R16 -- effects pedals -- DJ-gear -- Access Virus B

[ru2def]

It's sad that Radio Shack isn't what it used to be, but I'm lucky enough to live close to You Do It Electronics. The place is amazing. Take your average Radio Shack's back corner, the part with all electronics bits, and stretch it over a 15,000 square foot store. Then take the consumer electronics from something like a Tweeter Center and put it upstairs from that in another 15,000 square feet. Then fill it with staff who actually know what they're talking about and don't think it beneath them to help out a newbie's stupid questions. Can't sing their praises enough.