So, I was asked how this mod was done.
I'm afraid I can't explain in too much detail because:
- I've picked up the mod half done in the first place, thus did only see the result of the early work.
- I then gave it to a third party to finish it up.
BUT, what I can do, is provide a general account on the process for people who might consider modifying their Microkorg.
I) The early stages
On this older post, you can see the state I first got the MicroMoorg in : http://khoral.blogspot.com/2010/05/introducing-micromoorg.html
The owner had cut the plastic at the junction, using a very good saw, just between the keyboard section and the board section. Needless to say, this has to be done very carefully in order not to damage the circuit laying down below.
At this point, the board was totally independent from the keyboard, because once you unscrew the original wood parts and the junction is severed, nothing but the keyboard cables stand between the two sections.
That is why you can lift up the board like it is on the photograph, but if you were to look behind the mod, you'd see that there's just a void, all circuits are open to the air.
That's why you have to add a back panel.
II) The new wood panels
On the above pics, you can see the finished mod, with measures.
Please notes that the measures are in millimeters. You may use http://www.convertunits.com/from/inches/to/mm to convert.
The side panel is composed of two different pieces, which assembled look somewhat like a Little Phatty side panel. You can obviously create a single pieced panel, but this was assembled from various spare wood parts.
The back panel is also composed of two pieces, and here you may see that it isn't varnished yet like the other parts. Then again, a single piece is possible.
The screws in the wood panels then go through the plastic casing on the inside, without touching the circuits.
You can see a hinge is running along the junction on the front. That's because the original plan was to have the board able to move down à la Minimoog. This proved a bit difficult, and here the more modest solution of a still board was chosen, à la Little Phatty.
On the inside, the cables going from the circuit board to the keyboard were changed for longer one, so that the added distance wouldn't stress the original ones.
That's the basics of it, if you plan to do a mod like that, please keep me posted!
On request from a reader, I'll soon post a more detailed account on how this nice mod was made, with new pics and specs for the various wood panels.
Stay tuned!
A little improvisation...
The first half is one complex Prophet 08 patch.
The second half is one Crumar Bit01 patch.
Also Guitars and drum machine, and a Microkorg pad in the middle.
My current setup : Roland Juno-1 and Microkorg, with Boss SP303 for fx and movie dialogue.
A whole bunch of EHX pedals (and one Marshall compressor).
All right, my Moog-mod for the Microkorg is done...
Heavier and bulkier, but soooo retro.
For a nice vintage tune done within the Microkorg, check out this post.
More pics of my new modded Microkorg...
As usual, click on the pics for higher resolution.
Next step : closing the back (it's open right now, needs some wood work).
Or is it a MSicrokorg-20? Little Korg? Microphatty?
Anyway, remember some time ago I've posted some pics of a modded Microkorg, à la Moog.
Well, I own it now! I've exchanged my flat one for it.
I'll make some more detailed pics later on, but here's a preview.
I hadn't been using my Microkorg too much these last couple of years, but lately I've added it to my live rig and got to program new stuff.
The following track is 100% Microkorg, except CR78 drums.
All patches used on this track can be downloaded in this zip file.
They are in sysex format. You may use a free software like MIDI-OX to load them in your Microkorg.
It's getting hot in here.
I had to open my Microkorg to check out something, and grabbed the opportunity to take this rather indecent shot.
As seen on a french forum : http://fr.audiofanzine.com/synthe-modelisation/korg/MicroKorg/forums/t.401016,moded-microkorg,post.5771584.html
I'd love that mod for my Microkorg.
I had the "Bad" album K7 when I was a kid and pretty much wore it down, and just a couple of weeks ago I found a bargain copy of the Jacksons Five's "Destiny", which contains some badass funky grooves.
So anyway, I won't digress endlessly on Michael Jackson's oddities, I'm sure the blogosphere can indulge without me on that.
