SH-101 LFO Ext Clock mod??

media at mail1.nai.net media at mail1.nai.net
Sun Nov 12 20:25:23 CET 2000


Help!!  I posted this question a while back and I still haven't found an
answer.  I'm trying trying to add an external clock mod to the LFO of an
SH-101, so that I can sync the LFO and arpeggiator to the same external
clock.

I know people on this list have done this, and that it is part of the
NovaMod.  A couple people said they would trace the modded SH-101's they
own, but they flaked out and never came through with an answer.  I'm trying
to install this mod from a diagram I downloaded from the web well over a
year ago.  Unfortunately it isn't a very good diagram, it's quite vague,
and it's not a schematic.

In response to my first message, several kind people have sent me the
instructions that come with the NovaMod kit, but unfortunately it relies on
the color coding of the wires that come with the kit, and pin numbers on
the jack.  I have not been able to find any reference to a manufacturer of
switched 1/4" jacks that uses pin numbers.

Basically, from what I can tell, this mod takes the input of pins 2 & 3 of
IC3 (the inputs to an op-amp) and replaces them with the tip and sleeve of
the incoming clock using a double-pole switched jack.  The diagram says to
unsolder the entire IC, bend back pins 2 & 3, and then resolder the IC.
That sounds nuts, and remember someone in Boston burning their IC
attempting to do the same mod, so I achieved the same circuit by cutting
traces instead.

Anyway, breaking the connection between pin 3 and the preceding circuitry
completely kills the SH-101 -- the front panel lights display contradictory
messages and the unit makes no sound.  Grounding pin 3 seems to make no
difference.  I have been told pin 3 of IC3 goes to a regulated power supply.

I no longer have a scope, but the inputs of the IC3 op-amp seem to be held
at around 5V, so I'm thinking the unmodified input is a short negative
going pulse.  If I reconnect pin 3, disconnecting pin 2 from the rest of
the circuit and momentarily bringing pin 2 to ground seems to advance the
clock, but it is also very erratic.

Any idea what I could be doing wrong??  If someone has better NovaMod
documentation I'd like to see it, or if anyone else has this mod, I would
be very grateful if you could trace how it was done.

THANX!!





More information about the Synth-diy mailing list