Synhouse
Factory Installation
Customers are urged to do free and easy self-installations whenever
possible. However, the Synhouse MIDIJACK series may also be installed
at Synhouse L.A..
Pricing:
In most cases, models of compatible synthesizers that are already well known to Synhouse (for example, most
of the synths shown on the Analog User
Modifications page) and already have working
CV/gate input
jacks (such as a Moog Rogue or ARP Axxe) can have the MIDIJACK
installation labor done by Synhouse L.A. for
$129.
If the
synthesizer does not have CV/gate jacks (such as a Korg Synthe-Bass),
the price is $169.
If the
synthesizer has CV/gate jacks that don't work properly (such as a Moog Minimoog) and connections must be made to the boards
instead, it
is priced as a synth without CV/gate jacks and the price is $169.
For the Sequential Pro-One (which requires considerable disassembly and reassembly, often followed by repeated disassembly and reassembly, and occasionally has other issues as well), the price is $169.
If
the
synthesizer is a modular, semi-modular, or other special or rare synth
that will require extra time and care, the price will be at least $199,
minimum.
For the Roland MC-202 (which has CV/gate jacks that don't work properly, is flimsy and fragile being made entirely of plastic and paper, and takes more than six hours of installation labor not including preparation of the external power supply plus an additional 30-45 minutes of workspace cleanup), the price is $269.
Installations cannot be done in synths unfamiliar to Synhouse.
Factory Installations are not available
for the Roland SH-1000, Roland SH-2000, and Moog Prodigy due to the time required to fabricate
additional boards and switch assemblies needed by these synths.
Factory Installations are not available
for the Original MIDIJACK in the Roland TB-303, but the MIDIJACK DINSYNC can be
installed in the Roland TB-303.
For any MIDIJACK DINSYNC installation in the Roland MC-202, TB-303, or TR-606, the price is $149. For the TR-808, the price is $129.
Appointments are not available for walk-in Factory Installations, all synths must be shipped as with any other vendor or customer merchandise.
This pricing covers the
cost of the labor and supplies used for
the upgrade but does not cover
shipping the synthesizer round-trip to
Los Angeles, California. The user must also purchase the MIDIJACK from
Synhouse at current pricing. The work can generally be completed in 10-20 business
days or less.
Requirements:
The synthesizer must be in perfect working condition. Synhouse will not
repair broken synthesizers as part of a flat rate installation job
under any circumstances, and repairs at the prevailing hourly shop rate
are discretionary and can't always be accepted. If the synth
doesn't work without MIDI, it certainly won't work with it.
The synthesizer must be shipped prepaid via UPS, FedEx
Ground, or USPS to Los Angeles,
California. To ship cross-country may cost as little as
$25 for a Roland TB-303 Bassline or as much as $80 for a Minimoog
in
a flight case, each way, with the current average being around $40.
The synthesizer must be shipped directly from the customer to
Synhouse
L.A.. Shipments from third parties such as customs agents, family
members, and friends, are not acceptable. Synhouse will only ship the
instrument directly back to the customer at the address from which it
came, not to any third parties. The exception to this is in the case of
a customer who is already having an instrument shipped, such as when
buying a synth on eBay. In this case, they may have it shipped directly
to Synhouse. This exception is meant to save money for the customer as
well as wear and tear on the instrument. Again, it must be
insured.
The synthesizer must be shipped with signature required and insured for what it would cost to
replace it at today's market prices.
The synthesizer must be sufficiently well packed with plenty
of reusable packing material. Experience
has shown that the best way is to wrap it in several layers of
large-size bubble wrap secured with packing tape and place it in a box
with all extra space filled with foam-type packing peanuts. As an extra
precaution, the box may be placed inside a second box with more
cushioning. The box should be sealed with plenty of clear
packing tape and labeled clearly. The packing materials must be
plentiful and reusable for the return trip from Synhouse. If repacking
with Synhouse materials is required, the packing will be
$25/hour for the labor plus materials,
but no charge if it can easily be put back in the same
package for the return trip.
Shipping larger synthesizers via USPS is not
recommended.
The MIDIJACK will be installed in the location and manner
deemed best
by Synhouse, which may differ from installations done in the past.
The return shipping will be billed to the
customers' credit card, unless other arrangements are made in advance.
It is highly recommended to use a credit card, as it saves time and
money for the customer. When the synth is held up for weeks waiting for
money order prepayment of return shipping charges, it delays the return
time and the shipping charges must be be overestimated.
Some synthesizers such as the Moog Rogue, MG-1, and Roland
SH-101 have
the factory portamento correctly wired in the post-CV/gate jack
position so the oscillator glide will work just the same from the
CV/gate jacks as from the local built-in keyboard. Some other synths do
not, so the factory glide will be inactive while using the MIDIJACK or
CV/gate jacks. The Advanced Installation Manual describes a method of
building a new active glide circuit to be placed downstream from the
MIDIJACK and CV/gate jacks. Synhouse can perform this modification with
a new knob and potentiometer for an additional $30. This option is
known as the Active Glide Circuit and may be selected and purchased in
the shopping cart while ordering.
Some synthesizers such as the Roland MC-202 and SH-101
require a new
external
power supply to work with the MIDI upgrade. In the past, this option
was known as the SH-101 MIDIJACK Power Supply and could be purchased in
the online shopping cart while ordering, but it is no longer stocked
and is not available for self-installations. For Factory Installations,
Synhouse will
build and provide this for an additional $20 if needed.
Some synthesizers require a new hardware
switch to be installed to select MIDI or local control. If needed,
Synhouse will provide this, wire it, and mount it for an additional
$25.
Some synthesizers such as the ARP 2600 require additional boards to be
fabricated to do level shifting, etc., and these are usually $30 per
board.
This service is offered for
new MIDIJACKs only: If a customer
or repair shop has attempted the installation but failed and the
MIDIJACK has been removed from the original factory-sealed static
packaging, it may not be sent to Synhouse for installation. The
MIDIJACK must be purchased from Synhouse at the time of installation,
or returned to Synhouse still new in the sealed package. If a customer
receives a MIDIJACK but decides not to self-install it, it may be sent
unopened along with the synthesizer and Synhouse will gladly perform
the installation.
Synhouse reserves the right
to refuse installations due to
scheduling constraints or prior problems with certain instruments.
This service is recommended for customers with small
monosynths
in the USA only. Some customers are reluctant to cut into their
favorite synthesizer as their first electronics project, and for good
reason. If in doubt, send it to Synhouse! Overseas customers may find
it impractical or risky to ship round-trip internationally, but may
find it sensible to ship tiny devices to Synhouse, such as a Roland
TB-303 Bassline or TR-606 Drumatix.
To proceed with your Factory
Installation, please carefully
read the
above, then buy the hardware and make your payment for the installation
labor by selecting your MIDIJACK choice and Factory Installation Option
by clicking here.
Your card will be billed and the hardware will be reserved by Synhouse
for installation. Within 1-2 days an e-mail will be sent to you with
"Synhouse Factory Installation Shipping Information" in the subject
field. Ship synthesizer to the Synhouse L.A. address provided at that
time, which is not listed on this website. The completed synthesizer
will be returned to you within 10-20 business days, sooner in some
cases.
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