[sdiy] patching polys(ESQ), newbie question, electronic kits

[juju punky]

I have cross-posted another version of this message to Analogue
Heaven, and I do apologize for adding to the clutter of the rest of
you who subscribe to both.

I will be soon to reaquire an Ensoniq ESQ-1 that's been on a very
long-term loan. I'm looking forward to having it back, however, I
intend to DO something about how I felt it was always missing
something. I am not very well-schooled in electronics, but have
managed some minor jobs on my own. I do not have a lot of financial
resources at my disposal, which is part of my motivation in trying to
get the most out of the gear I have.

Florian Anwander recently commented on Analogue Heaven about the
possiblility of adding exciter or distortion circuit to the CEM patch
points. I think this is an excellent idea. In fact, a small amplifier
circuit with which to overdrive the VCF a little might be sufficient,
but I think this would require patching in before the CEM 3379 rather
than with CEM's insert pointed out by Florian - as he said, it's the
oscillators that need work, not so much the filters.

So, if someoone like myself were to integrate something like this
fully into the synth, you'd have to consider that you need a circuit
that's small, low-cost easy to duplicate (for each voice), and not
terribly time-consuming. Which leads me to the idea of.using one of
the kits like I find here:

http://store.qkits.com/category.cfm/AUDIO

Not only a wide assortment of small amplifiers, but tone controls,
bass boost(! pre-filter bass boosting?!?!?) and all sorts of things
that may be perfect for a layperson like myself to patch into audio
chains.

Again, I'm no electronics engineer. Would incorporating a set of, say,
2W amps, or perhaps a tone control (I realize they aren't selling Neve
EQ clones) from a supplier like this, somehow isolated, into the
signal path of a DCO polysynth, degrade the signal quality beyond
being worthy of any potential benefit? Even if I were to build a
breakout box for the additional circuitry, would the RF introduced by
new wires, soldering, etc. render this a bad idea?

Also, I realize there are double and perhaps even triple
potentiometers out there, but if one were to want to gang 4-8
amplifier circuits to the same gain control, what would be the best
and/or cheapest and/or most hassle-free way of going about it?

Thanks in advance for any replies,
Juju