Korg Poly800/EX800 Users

From: static.people <static.people@...>
To: korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 5:46:04 PM
Subject: Poly-800 24ppqn analog sync out very simple mod

Many years ago I read on a magazine about a very simple mod I made on my old Poly-800: it consisted in extracting a 24ppqn analog timing pulse signal (to sync old drum machines) directly out from a pin of an IC on the synth main board: it's the same clock pulse leading the internal sequencer (and being then converted internally to MIDI digital time sync out messages). Today I got a Poly-800 mkII again but, unfortunately, I don't remember what pin and what chip were the right ones: can anyone help in telling what is the right pin to connect? Then, it's easy to join by a small wire that IC's pin to a free side pin of a (midi) DIN port, so it can work as a midi port or as a din sync port (cause earth is in common on the central pin)! One good choice could be the MIDI IN port, allowing it being used even as a din sync out port, so you could use the Poly-800 as a master timing sequencer with a din24 sync out and a midi sync out working together for non midi
 and midi machines. Now, please, remind me: what is the IC's pin on Poly-800's board giving internal sequencer's tempo analog pulse?!

>
> I would suggest that you buffer the signal with a 40HC04 before sending it to the outside world so that you can be certain that bad things won't happen to the original signal.
> 
> I put together a small PDF with the recommended circuit diagram and dropped it into the "Clock Sync Output" folder in the "Modifications" section of the files area.
> 
> Mike.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: Michael Hawkins <korgpolyex800@...>
> To: korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 8:09:31 AM
> Subject: [korgpolyex] Poly-800 24ppqn analog sync out very simple mod
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Pin 6 on IC28 is the sequencer clock signal.
> 
> Mike
> 
> From: static.people <static.people@ yahoo.it>
> To: korgpolyex@yahoogro ups.com
> Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 5:46:04 PM
> Subject: Poly-800 24ppqn analog sync out very simple mod
> 
> Many years ago I read on a magazine about a very simple mod I made on my old Poly-800: it consisted in extracting a 24ppqn analog timing pulse signal (to sync old drum machines) directly out from a pin of an IC on the synth main board: it's the same clock pulse leading the internal sequencer (and being then converted internally to MIDI digital time sync out messages). Today I got a Poly-800 mkII again but, unfortunately, I don't remember what pin and what chip were the right ones: can anyone help in telling what is the right pin to connect? Then, it's easy to join by a small wire that IC's pin to a free side pin of a (midi) DIN port, so it can work as a midi port or as a din sync port (cause earth is in common on the central pin)! One good choice could be the MIDI IN port, allowing it being used even as a din sync out port, so you could use the Poly-800 as a master timing sequencer with a din24 sync out and a midi sync out working together for non midi
> and midi machines. Now, please, remind me: what is the IC's pin on Poly-800's board giving internal sequencer's tempo analog pulse?!
>

>
> The buffer I suggested may not work unless you match the signals to your external devices correctly.
> 
> So what is the type of equipment/interface you are trying to send the sync clock signal to?
> 
> Mike
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: static.people <static.people@...>
> To: korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 10:03:38 AM
> Subject: [korgpolyex] Re: Poly-800 24ppqn analog sync out very simple mod
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks Mike,
> I tried it before reading your post: IC28's pin 6 appears being connected straight to CPU's pin 9 (res 5.5 interrupt in) and in the service manual (courtesy of your site :) I saw on that path should run the right pulse signal. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to work directly 'cause, when I connected it as an out sync to my drum machine sync in, poly-800's sequencer stopped (nor the drum started), like connection (pin 6) and its signal were short-circuited. Fortunately when I disconnected sequencer worked again. Mine seems to be one of the "common mistakes" you refer to in your pdf :) Obviously I'll build a buffer like the one you recommend.
> Thanks again, Mike.
> Buzz of Static People
> 
> --- In korgpolyex@yahoogro ups.com, Michael Hawkins <korgpolyex800@ ...> wrote:
> >
> > I would suggest that you buffer the signal with a 40HC04 before sending it to the outside world so that you can be certain that bad things won't happen to the original signal.
> > 
> > I put together a small PDF with the recommended circuit diagram and dropped it into the "Clock Sync Output" folder in the "Modifications" section of the files area.
> > 
> > Mike.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ____________ _________ _________ __
> > From: Michael Hawkins <korgpolyex800@ ...>
> > To: korgpolyex@yahoogro ups.com
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 8:09:31 AM
> > Subject: [korgpolyex] Poly-800 24ppqn analog sync out very simple mod
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Pin 6 on IC28 is the sequencer clock signal.
> > 
> > Mike
> > 
> > From: static.people <static.people@ yahoo.it>
> > To: korgpolyex@yahoogro ups.com
> > Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 5:46:04 PM
> > Subject: Poly-800 24ppqn analog sync out very simple mod
> > 
> > Many years ago I read on a magazine about a very simple mod I made on my old Poly-800: it consisted in extracting a 24ppqn analog timing pulse signal (to sync old drum machines) directly out from a pin of an IC on the synth main board: it's the same clock pulse leading the internal sequencer (and being then converted internally to MIDI digital time sync out messages). Today I got a Poly-800 mkII again but, unfortunately, I don't remember what pin and what chip were the right ones: can anyone help in telling what is the right pin to connect? Then, it's easy to join by a small wire that IC's pin to a free side pin of a (midi) DIN port, so it can work as a midi port or as a din sync port (cause earth is in common on the central pin)! One good choice could be the MIDI IN port, allowing it being used even as a din sync out port, so you could use the Poly-800 as a master timing sequencer with a din24 sync out and a midi sync out working together for non midi
> > and midi machines. Now, please, remind me: what is the IC's pin on Poly-800's board giving internal sequencer's tempo analog pulse?!
> >
>

>
> I would suggest that you buffer the signal with a 40HC04 before sending it to the outside world so that you can be certain that bad things won't happen to the original signal.
> 
> I put together a small PDF with the recommended circuit diagram and dropped it into the "Clock Sync Output" folder in the "Modifications" section of the files area.
> 
> Mike.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: Michael Hawkins <korgpolyex800@...>
> To: korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 8:09:31 AM
> Subject: [korgpolyex] Poly-800 24ppqn analog sync out very simple mod
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Pin 6 on IC28 is the sequencer clock signal.
> 
> Mike
> 
> From: static.people <static.people@ yahoo.it>
> To: korgpolyex@yahoogro ups.com
> Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 5:46:04 PM
> Subject: Poly-800 24ppqn analog sync out very simple mod
> 
> Many years ago I read on a magazine about a very simple mod I made on my old Poly-800: it consisted in extracting a 24ppqn analog timing pulse signal (to sync old drum machines) directly out from a pin of an IC on the synth main board: it's the same clock pulse leading the internal sequencer (and being then converted internally to MIDI digital time sync out messages). Today I got a Poly-800 mkII again but, unfortunately, I don't remember what pin and what chip were the right ones: can anyone help in telling what is the right pin to connect? Then, it's easy to join by a small wire that IC's pin to a free side pin of a (midi) DIN port, so it can work as a midi port or as a din sync port (cause earth is in common on the central pin)! One good choice could be the MIDI IN port, allowing it being used even as a din sync out port, so you could use the Poly-800 as a master timing sequencer with a din24 sync out and a midi sync out working together for non midi
> and midi machines. Now, please, remind me: what is the IC's pin on Poly-800's board giving internal sequencer's tempo analog pulse?!
>

>
> I would suggest that you buffer the signal with a 40HC04 before sending it to the outside world so that you can be certain that bad things won't happen to the original signal.
> 
> I put together a small PDF with the recommended circuit diagram and dropped it into the "Clock Sync Output" folder in the "Modifications" section of the files area.
> 
> Mike.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ____________ _________ _________ __
> From: Michael Hawkins <korgpolyex800@ ...>
> To: korgpolyex@yahoogro ups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 8:09:31 AM
> Subject: [korgpolyex] Poly-800 24ppqn analog sync out very simple mod
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Pin 6 on IC28 is the sequencer clock signal.
> 
> Mike
> 
> From: static.people <static.people@ yahoo.it>
> To: korgpolyex@yahoogro ups.com
> Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 5:46:04 PM
> Subject: Poly-800 24ppqn analog sync out very simple mod
> 
> Many years ago I read on a magazine about a very simple mod I made on my old Poly-800: it consisted in extracting a 24ppqn analog timing pulse signal (to sync old drum machines) directly out from a pin of an IC on the synth main board: it's the same clock pulse leading the internal sequencer (and being then converted internally to MIDI digital time sync out messages). Today I got a Poly-800 mkII again but, unfortunately, I don't remember what pin and what chip were the right ones: can anyone help in telling what is the right pin to connect? Then, it's easy to join by a small wire that IC's pin to a free side pin of a (midi) DIN port, so it can work as a midi port or as a din sync port (cause earth is in common on the central pin)! One good choice could be the MIDI IN port, allowing it being used even as a din sync out port, so you could use the Poly-800 as a master timing sequencer with a din24 sync out and a midi sync out working together for non midi
> and midi machines. Now, please, remind me: what is the IC's pin on Poly-800's board giving internal sequencer's tempo analog pulse?!
>

>
> On Thu, 16 Jul 2009, Michael Hawkins wrote:
> 
> > A 74HC04 is an exact equivalent.
> >
> > http://mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=sGAEpiMZZMutXGli8Ay4kNQoxOz2kMipooItkeg7TPE%3d
> >
> > But like I said, this might not work unless you work out the electrical 
> > requirements for the interface that you are trying to sync to.
> =================
> 
> off the top of my head, the 74xx should be more robust than the 40xx, 
> especially when interfacing to other stuff. IIRC, it should handle higher 
> output current and be more resilient to ESD.
> 
> 
> -- 
>          ...atom
> 
>   ________________________
>   http://atom.smasher.org/
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>
> On Sat, 2009-07-18 at 19:25 +0000, static.people wrote:
> > Hi, I succeeded at least!
> > Things work well now: the sync signal from poly-800 leads the Boss DR-110 acidlab sync-in interface. As I supposed in another message that interface needed a start/stop signal on the other pin to work, just like other drums machines like korg KPR-77, while stuff like Roland TB-303 didn't need (as far as I can remember): so I used 3 x 1,5 volts batteries in series for that purpose. It seems like acidlab's interface has a logical buffer inside (a 74HCT74 ?) similar to the one you suggested but it should do the additional job of dividing external 24ppqn sync to match internal 12ppqn. So I safely connected it to poly-800 extracted sync-out directly and (courtesy of the start/stop circuit switch) now it works.
> > I'm thinking about finding a way to mod acidlab's interface to exclude buffer's internal divider and let it easily switch from native "external divided-by-two 24ppqn to internal 12ppqn" mode to an "external buffered-only 24ppqn to internal 12ppqn" mode: it should be an easy way to double drum machine tempo by a simple switch.
> > But I wouldn't be daring too much... :D
> 
> Another way would be to use a PLL to synthesize a higher clock from the
> lower drum machine clock.  A very simple system could be a squarewave
> generator running at a multiple of the incoming clock and retriggered by
> it.
> 
> Gordon
>