Discussion about the Korg PolySix synthesizer

I've been repairing PolySixes for a while, and have had a number of
requests for MIDI interfaces.  I currently have access to two:  the
Bojan, which is a simple MIDI In device (with channel select);  and
the Miditek, which provides MIDI In, Out & Thru in Poly or Omni mode,
channels 1 - 16.  The only drawback to the Miditek unit is that it
disables the onboard arpeggiator (I'm guessing the designer thought
that the added access to MIDI arpeggiators & sequencers offset this loss).

It looks like I could provide the Bojan for about $60, installed;  and
the Miditek would go for approximately $140, installed.
My question to you, the users of the PolySix:  
which of these would you find more usefull?  -- and, do you think
these prices are reasonable?

Thanks.

~GMM

--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "cavernosum6" <greg.montalbano@u...> 
wrote:
> I've been repairing PolySixes for a while, and have had a number of
> requests for MIDI interfaces.  I currently have access to two:  the
> Bojan, which is a simple MIDI In device (with channel select);  and
> the Miditek, which provides MIDI In, Out & Thru in Poly or Omni 
mode,
> channels 1 - 16.  The only drawback to the Miditek unit is that it
> disables the onboard arpeggiator (I'm guessing the designer thought
> that the added access to MIDI arpeggiators & sequencers offset this 
loss).
> 
> It looks like I could provide the Bojan for about $60, installed;  
and
> the Miditek would go for approximately $140, installed.
> My question to you, the users of the PolySix:  
> which of these would you find more usefull?  -- and, do you think
> these prices are reasonable?
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> ~GMM

As someone who only uses the Six in the studio and has no intention 
of gigging with it (and probably wouldn't use it as a master 
controller if I did gig), I wouldn't lay out the extra cash for the 
Miditek. As a matter of fact, even if I did want those extra features 
I would be very hesitant to install something that robbed me of the 
arpeggiator. Both of those prices sound quite reasonable though, and 
if it didn't involve shipping my beloved beast I'd probably be 
knocking on your door. 

I'm gonna have to check out that Bojan design, it's sounding more 
intriguing all the time. The way I would like to be able to fit it is 
so the installation isn't irreversable and isn't destructive to the 
casing - so that the Six could be returned to stock. Maybe run the 
MIDI In connector cable out through an unused jack hole with the 1/4" 
jack removed and just have the MIDI In connection hanging out of 
there, etc.

Just as long as it doesn't affect the sound...

Peace,
Ron

Thanks, mon -- that's the kind of feedback I need.

~GMM


--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "synapticide" <medsec@g...> wrote:

>
> As someone who only uses the Six in the studio and has no intention 
> of gigging with it (and probably wouldn't use it as a master 
> controller if I did gig), I wouldn't lay out the extra cash for the 
> Miditek. As a matter of fact, even if I did want those extra features 
> I would be very hesitant to install something that robbed me of the 
> arpeggiator. Both of those prices sound quite reasonable though, and 
> if it didn't involve shipping my beloved beast I'd probably be 
> knocking on your door. 
> 
> I'm gonna have to check out that Bojan design, it's sounding more 
> intriguing all the time. The way I would like to be able to fit it is 
> so the installation isn't irreversable and isn't destructive to the 
> casing - so that the Six could be returned to stock. Maybe run the 
> MIDI In connector cable out through an unused jack hole with the 1/4" 
> jack removed and just have the MIDI In connection hanging out of 
> there, etc.
> 
> Just as long as it doesn't affect the sound...
> 
> Peace,
> Ron

I just made Bojan's 1st version and it's a very simple built. It 
works just fine. I don't fins any point for the P6 to have midi out 
(there are much better keyboard controllers. This one doesn't even 
have velocity or after touch). Also I wouldn't "harm" any of the P6 
features like taking out the arpeggiator which is so great !! With 
Bojan's there is not differece using the P6. Also 60$ is VERY 
reasonable price for it!! 

--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "cavernosum6" <greg.montalbano@u...> 
wrote:
> I've been repairing PolySixes for a while, and have had a number of
> requests for MIDI interfaces.  I currently have access to two:  the
> Bojan, which is a simple MIDI In device (with channel select);  and
> the Miditek, which provides MIDI In, Out & Thru in Poly or Omni 
mode,
> channels 1 - 16.  The only drawback to the Miditek unit is that it
> disables the onboard arpeggiator (I'm guessing the designer thought
> that the added access to MIDI arpeggiators & sequencers offset this 
loss).
> 
> It looks like I could provide the Bojan for about $60, installed;  
and

> the Miditek would go for approximately $140, installed.
> My question to you, the users of the PolySix:  
> which of these would you find more usefull?  -- and, do you think
> these prices are reasonable?
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> ~GMM

I mounted the 5 DIN connector just after the "tape from" jack, so 
it "looks" stock.... inside, I installed two long screws of the left 
side which goes from the bottom of the metal case (just where the 
bottom screws goes in oreder to attach it to the wood) and mounted 
the retrofit to those screws so it goes just above the left most 
circuit board.


--- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "cavernosum6" <greg.montalbano@u...> 
wrote:
> Thanks, mon -- that's the kind of feedback I need.
> 
> ~GMM
> 
> 
> --- In PolySix@yahoogroups.com, "synapticide" <medsec@g...> wrote:
> >
> > As someone who only uses the Six in the studio and has no 
intention 
> > of gigging with it (and probably wouldn't use it as a master 
> > controller if I did gig), I wouldn't lay out the extra cash for 
the 
> > Miditek. As a matter of fact, even if I did want those extra 
features 
> > I would be very hesitant to install something that robbed me of 
the 
> > arpeggiator. Both of those prices sound quite reasonable though, 
and 
> > if it didn't involve shipping my beloved beast I'd probably be 
> > knocking on your door. 
> > 
> > I'm gonna have to check out that Bojan design, it's sounding more 
> > intriguing all the time. The way I would like to be able to fit 
it is 
> > so the installation isn't irreversable and isn't destructive to 
the 
> > casing - so that the Six could be returned to stock. Maybe run 
the 
> > MIDI In connector cable out through an unused jack hole with the 
1/4" 

> > jack removed and just have the MIDI In connection hanging out of 
> > there, etc.
> > 
> > Just as long as it doesn't affect the sound...
> > 
> > Peace,
> > Ron