[sdiy] Korg MS-20 Legacy modding

[Neil Johnson]

Hi,

> If the thing inside is built from OTAs or based on DSP, I actually don't
> care as long as it *sounds* ok.

I think the box is just a control surface, as I think everything you can
do on the unit (twiddle knobs, make patches, etc) can also be done in the
software.  My understanding is that all the sound synthesis itself is done
inside the PC/Mac as either a standalone app. or a VST/AU plugin.

So, the hardware has:
	- a velocity-sensitive 3 octave keyboard
	- pots or rotary encoders
	- a patch panel
	- screen-printed panel with synth-like symbols (!!)

I think the economic argument is appealing too: the package retails, I
gather, for about $499.  Assuming you didn't even have a computer to start
with, it would probably cost you not far off that figure to make a shell
of the same or similar specs.

So, buy the package, toss the software in the bin, and you've got a nice
little 3 octave keyboard, screen-printed front panel, a matching set of
knobs, perhaps even usable pots and jacks.

I wonder how long it will be before there's an ASM-like PCB that would
slot right in?  Complete with a micro to scan the keyboard and receive
MIDI messages as well.

Neil

--
Neil Johnson :: Computer Laboratory :: University of Cambridge ::
http://www.njohnson.co.uk          http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~nej22
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