The following plans describe a method of adding
MIDI capability to the Roland SH-1000 analog synthesizer with the Synhouse
Original MIDIJACK. The SH-1000 was the very first synthesizer
from Roland, and just like the first instruments from Korg,
Linn Electronics, Moog, Oberheim, Sequential Circuits,
the SH-1000 and the SH-2000 sounded better than what came later.
Some drilling is required. There is plenty of space on the SH-1000
to mount the MIDIJACK with the provided hardware. You may be able
to do this yourself if you have experience with electronic repair and the
soldering of wires and circuit boards. If
not, it is recommended that you send the instrument to Synhouse L.A.
for a quick, low-cost Factory
Installation. The particular installation on which this document
is based was not done by Synhouse, but rather
a very courteous Analog User, so neither Synhouse nor the
Analog User who provided this is responsible for the accuracy of this infomation,
nor any damage to your instrument or Original MIDIJACK resulting from the
use of it, misuse of it, or inability to use it. Those
who choose to read it and use it do so at their own risk. Synhouse
does not have any direct knowledge about this particular installation,
but the author may be willing to answer questions if they are asked nicely,
and Original MIDIJACK customers doing an SH-1000 installation may ask to
be privately referred to the author by e-mail. It is best to download
these notes and photos and print them out on paper to look at while working
on the instrument and make notes and check off the steps as you go.
As with any project, you should completely read and understand each
step of the instructions before starting. All repairs and modifications
made to your instruments will be done at your own risk and Synhouse Multimedia
Corporation assumes no liability for personal injury caused or damage to
equipment or loss of use caused directly or indirectly by the use of these
plans. If in doubt, don't do it!
Instructions:
MIDIJACK works in a Roland SH1000! I
hope that the pictures I sent you can help you to create a guide of how
to install MIDIJACK in a SH1000. The summary of the installation
is:
-
CV very easy to connect, but MIDIJACK PCB has to be modified by bypassing
R21. Solder a tiny piece of jumper wire across R21 so there is no
resistance there anymore. (Note from Synhouse:
This PCB modification or any other voids the Synhouse factory warranty,
but if you specify your intention to do the SH-1000, Synhouse Factory
Installation services will do this tiny modification for you for free,
saving the warranty coverage. Ask for it in the NOTES box when ordering
online.)
-
After installation MIDIJACK best is tuned down 3 octaves, using the -36
setting of the MIDI Transpose Select Mode, because the SH1000 CV
is only linear adjustable between 0.2 and 5.6 V (1.8V/Oct). I didn't
reach to adjust the SH1000 for more as those three octaves. Although
MIDIJACK went higher SH1000 went completely out of pitch. When adjusted,
the bypassed keyboard is bad tuned, because of the 0.2V offset, but
for internal keyboard use this can be tuned with the tunepot.
-
Power for the MIDIJACK very easy to find. Several points can be found
by using the Layout plan and the Schematic that I sent you.
-
Gate can not directly be connected. An additional circuitboard has
to be designed, but its ultra lowcost.
-
To install gate, two tracks have to be cut.
-
To bypass CV MIDIJACK can be used. (Note from
Synhouse: It would be best not to use the built-in MIDIJACK bypass
circuit at all, but rather a DPDT switch so the CV and gate bypassing
occurs simultaneously with a flick of the switch.)
-
To bypass Gate a mechanical dual switch has to be used.
-
Mounting the MIDIJACK PCB in the SH1000 back is a little bit tricky because
there is 1cm wood everywhere. In the front is not enough space and
in the back panel neither.
-
Therefore some special holes have to be made to make the MIDIJACK switch
come through the back of the SH1000.
They look like this: ______
\______
inside
outside
______
______/
-
I hope this becomes clear :-)
-
Installation time, without having problems... probably one could
do it within 2 hours
-
Additional costs: Not to be mentioned.
-
Additional challenge: Exactly as much for having as much fun as possible.
-
Additional fun: It was good fun, Synhouse support is great.
-
My SH1000 has MIDI now. My father once bought the SH1000, around
1980 or earlier. Later he didn't use it anymore and gave it to me.
Yesterday I showed him the SH1000 controlled by cubase, he thought
he couldn't see right. He only believed that the SH1000 was sounding,
when he turned the knobs...
Click here to see
the photos
Copyright © 10/7/2002 Synhouse Multimedia
Corporation