TRINITY V3 CONVERSION/Re-build

[ididitforthemusic]

Hi all - I am in a dilemma and I need help making a monster!

Among my synth collection, I have a long-suffering Triton and Trinity V3 that are both "well used" sadly to the point of not being re-sellable

Both have many non-working keys from getting knocked about and other such faults and I now use my Triton purely as a sound module at gigs as the board itself is practically unplayable. The Trinity is in a similar state.

I don't have the cash to splash on repairs (it would cost more than just buying another second hand Triton/Trinity) but I hate writing gear off -
So, I am wondering at the possibilities of converting it into a keytar, or simply re-housing the guts in a new case with some "make-over" mods (key-triggered LEDS on the case etc...)

I have a basic knowledge of electronics and am very practically minded, but I have never attempted anything like this before and most "homemade keytar conversions" I've seen online involve using basic MIDI controller keyboards, not a full workstation with pots and ribbon controllers.

I'm looking for a finished product that will preferably retain the Trinity's soundbanks, controls and touchscreen, but most other "workstation" functions (including the sequencer and disk-drive) will be unnecessary.

My ideal situation would be to turn the Trinity V3 into a keytar, and re-house the Triton's innards in either another case (maybe a cheap casio for irony) or a purpose-built body.

Does anyone have any ideas, thoughts or advice to help breathe life back in to an old friend?

I know the insides of a Triton/Trinity will be much more complicated than a MIDI controller, but I think this is do-able, and it will keep two excellent older synths off the scrapheap!

Thanks in advance!

[Spacecowboy]

a midi keyboard with some guitar strap bolts and a wireless midi connection would work great and be nice and light. also be careful, the trinity is grounded through the body. changing that may end up with grounding issues.

[synthjoe]

I'm on the same opinion as Spacecowboy. Would be a shame to throw it away, but 14 kgs for a keytar does not sound like a great idea. Just hang it around your neck for a start and let me know after 5 minutes what you think. Cables are also an issue, as mentioned. The keybed and electronics alone are heavy enough to invalidate keytar use.

I guess keys buttons and switches are most likely to be damaged, what else coud be wrong? Biggest issue is the touch screen, if that's OK there's no reason why you shouldn't repair. Buttons cost cents and a little soldering to replace, the keybed is compatible with a whole range of Yamaha and Korg keybeds, so finding one of the right models beyond repair is a great source for parts.

Until you get the parts salvaged you can use it as a module - a great synth, really!

[billbaker]

... If I were doing it ...

I'd think that turning it (them) into a module (no telling how big) might be an easier project. Since most of the boards are in the same are and not spread out too much size shouldn't be a big issue and you can retain much of the controls that would make it easy to use live (touch screen/num pad). It would just be a matter of layout design -- deciding what you need and where you want yo grab each knob.

Then I'd just play 'em with a battery powered midi controller with strap-lock'd knobs added (with the cases reinforced with epoxy and a metal washer inside at the attachment points.) Commercial controllers are way light (3 to 8 pounds depending on number of keys), fairly cheap (check used pages at www.guitarcenter.com), and most have some extra controls you could route as needed.

Adding on a "neck" with additional controllers (wheel, switch, ribbon) would be fairly simple, and jacks for 'em already there or hackable.


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