Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

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Mslwte
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Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by Mslwte »

i thought i would start a thread for studio mods and hacks as this is something that i am quite interested in doing myself. anything can be added here whether it is either an electrical mod to some hardware that you have bought or carried out yourself, or some DIY that you have done to your studio, or even a software hack of some description.


I enjoying modding hardware. im always looking to modify something that ive bought to either make it more useful, or open up a unique sound/process.
today ive just fitted a floppy disk drive emulator to my A3000 sampler, so that now i can load sounds onto it via USB which is far better/easier and reliable than loading samples by floppy's. also previously modded the fan so it runs quieter

a few weeks back i completed the alesis 3630 compressor mods. i recapped it with better spec capacitors and audio grade caps in the audio circuit and beefed up the power supply. now i have a much more usable device that sounds much better than it did before. its still not on par with something that costs £3000 but it is worth having in my opinion. (it also distorts quite nicely)

ive done the moog slayer mod the korg poly800, which turns the thing into a fucking beast. the reason why i bought the 3630 in the first place was to use as a limiter so the i didnt blow my speakers as the resonance on that thing is nuts!

built a X0xb0x. (it took years to complete as my fault finding electrical skills are not up to scratch) but compared to my 303 i think it has a nicer sound. ive got the parts to carry out the VCA mod when i get around to it.

ive carried out most of the alpha mods to the commodore 64 and have the mssiah cart. ive not actually made a track with it yet but if was a fun process which i enjoyed. i play games on it though which take me back to my childhood lol.

im no genius when it comes to electronics but i have access to most of what i need at work. i mostly just follow instructions from blogs online and my boss is a wizard when it comes to this sort of thing and helps me out if i get stuck.

future projects im considering are building my own 500 series modules. a proper valve compressor and or parametric EQ and id like to mod the Kawai eq8 and improve the sound quality.
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WOLF!
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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and upgrades

Post by WOLF! »

Interesting stuff what you're doing; I'm currently thinking about getting out the soldering iron (and build a MS20 filter clone to start with after a very long break).
If you like your x0xb0x then the n0nx0x2 is a very nice upgrade (new cpu with better OS but also needs a new frontplate).

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Lost to the Void
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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and upgrades

Post by Lost to the Void »

I`ve made a bunch of effects. Mostly distortion and fuzz with weird additions.
Modified a PAIA Quadrafuzz to run clean stereo and sorted out some of the gain problems in the bands. Pretty great now, split your signal into 4 bands, each can be fuzzed and filtered individually then summed back to stereo or each band has it`s own output. It`s sorta my own Analog Heat for the 2buss. Absolute wiring nightmare, was considering making my own valve comp before doing this, but after getting through it and comparing it to some of the comp specs I was looking at. Well, some things are best left to the pro`s. Absolute headache.
Great and rare effect though, I recommend buying a quadrafuzz kit, even unmodified they are amazing.
Added an active circuit to my bass, rewired it, changed out all the circuitry as it was pretty knacked when I bought it.
Am in the process of recarving the body of one of my guitars (it needs skulls carved in it) with a dremel. which I will carry on with once summer comes and the shed is livable again.
Next project is a proper spring reverb or a decent quality analog delay.
Changed out all the knobs on my Minilogue for nice aluminium ones and it looks a million times better.

I went through an obsession with reel to reel tape machines and bought, renovated and sold them for a while. But way too time consuming.

Quite tempted to buy the PAIA synth kit and build one of his machines since I heard the demo and they sound real nice.
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jordanneke
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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by jordanneke »

I'm in awe of you guys who do this.

I can barely make my bed without fucking something up.

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Lost to the Void
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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by Lost to the Void »

wayfinder wrote:I had a pair of 555s lying around and did this: http://mikebeauchamp.com/misc/sennheise ... d-595-mod/

Works!

Wow. Just shows you what cunts pro audio companies can be.
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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by terryfalafel »

I've done lots of diy. And the to-do list is still pretty long.

Synthwise I put together a xoxbox, Mi Ambika, Shruthi XT and Anushri and a Preen FM2.

FX wise I've built a couple of 1073 clone preamps, a Dimension D clone, another analogue chorus called Triko, a Neve 33609 clone, a passive monitor controller and various little headphone amps and bits and pieces.

Still to finish are a dual LA-2A clone, a 500 series SSL mixbuss compressor clone and the ARP 2600 clone that did the rounds on muffwiggler last year. Since moving house, all the workshop / soldering gear has moved into the shed so DIY stops in winter unfortunately.....

I think I've said this before on here - working with equipment you've built yourself is extremely gratifying, but it takes a long time and it's expensive to build good quality equipment. Time that could be spent making music...

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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by TheBinaryMind »

Haven't done that much DIY stuff actually. The only things I recall is

- designing and building my own studio desk
- building panels for room treatment
- removing the dead battery that was soldered directly on the board on my Ensoniq DP4+ and replacing it with a fresh one on a socket, so it can be replaced easily in the future
- replacing the audio cable of one of my SL 1210's.

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Críoch
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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by Críoch »

I've a few pics of stuff I've done recently to make life a bit easier.

I like working with wood. I go for function & cost over slick finishes :lol:

I made cheeks for my MachineDrum.. and a cheek / chassis thing for my TR8, just to get it tilted. I probably wont use it as often now that I have the shelf on my mixer / rack. I decided to add that so I can take different stuff out whenever I like. Really rough & ready.. but its su-fucking-perb in action & gets everything at arms reach & takes the cables up off the floor.

Did cheeks for my Evolver too.. which is cool cos you can really get at all the controls, like a filterbank & its still ok for playing at that angle. I like standing up & moving around. I think I'd like to get some kind of rack thing for keyboards. My brother in law is a welder so I'm considering getting him to make me some kinda thing.

Theres lots of stuff I want to get soldering. I've got a fuzz pedal I have to get to still.. and have a monotron delay that I'm going to hopefully turn into a synth with cv etc..

I made a few bass traps.. but I've given up on that now as rockwool fucking stinks to me. I'd rather turn it down a bit instead & live with my room as it is. The room is a 3.3m x 3.3m box & is never gonna be perfect.
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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by terryfalafel »

Those angled holders for the TR8 and Evolver are great. They would help a lot with the desktop stuff I've got.

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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by Críoch »

They make a huge difference. Seems a bit mad sometimes doing stuff like that.. but ergonomically it makes sense. Saves the back & the screen is usually easier to read too.
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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by Planar »

I've been learning a bit of (analog) electronics theory recently and plan to take up a practical project in the summer (not learning to solder in my house, and the garage is too cold right now). Something audio related would be decent, like making a pedal work at line level or something like that.

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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by PixelKind »

I got myself an Arduino a few months ago and am trying to build a little 8-bit chiptune synth with it at the moment

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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by Lost to the Void »

Críoch wrote:They make a huge difference. Seems a bit mad sometimes doing stuff like that.. but ergonomically it makes sense. Saves the back & the screen is usually easier to read too.
Great job with the TR.
Definitely nice to have stuff angled so it is more ergonomically useful.
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Mslwte
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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by Mslwte »

jordanneke wrote:I'm in awe of you guys who do this.

I can barely make my bed without fucking something up.
I bet you know how to strip your bike and service it. Sure you could learn to use a soldering iron. 8-)
https://soundcloud.com/mslwte
https://noizefacilityrecords.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/subsekt909
https://www.facebook.com/subsekt909/
Lost to the Void wrote:Fuck off, get some tequila down ya neck and make some noise you cunt....

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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by Mslwte »

terryfalafel wrote:
FX wise I've built a couple of 1073 clone preamps, a Dimension D clone, another analogue chorus called Triko, a Neve 33609 clone, a passive monitor controller and various little headphone amps and bits and pieces.

Still to finish are a dual LA-2A clone, a 500 series SSL mixbuss compressor clone and the ARP 2600 clone that did the rounds on muffwiggler last year. Since moving house, all the workshop / soldering gear has moved into the shed so DIY stops in winter unfortunately....
Of the comps and preamps that you have made, were they kits? I don't want to self source parts but I'm interested in buying complete kits. Any that you would recommend or steer clear from?
https://soundcloud.com/mslwte
https://noizefacilityrecords.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/subsekt909
https://www.facebook.com/subsekt909/
Lost to the Void wrote:Fuck off, get some tequila down ya neck and make some noise you cunt....

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Mslwte
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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by Mslwte »

Críoch wrote:I've a few pics of stuff I've done recently to make life a bit easier.

I like working with wood. I go for function & cost over slick finishes :lol:

I made cheeks for my MachineDrum.. and a cheek / chassis thing for my TR8, just to get it tilted. I probably wont use it as often now that I have the shelf on my mixer / rack. I decided to add that so I can take different stuff out whenever I like. Really rough & ready.. but its su-fucking-perb in action & gets everything at arms reach & takes the cables up off the floor.

Did cheeks for my Evolver too.. which is cool cos you can really get at all the controls, like a filterbank & its still ok for playing at that angle. I like standing up & moving around. I think I'd like to get some kind of rack thing for keyboards. My brother in law is a welder so I'm considering getting him to make me some kinda thing.

Theres lots of stuff I want to get soldering. I've got a fuzz pedal I have to get to still.. and have a monotron delay that I'm going to hopefully turn into a synth with cv etc..

I made a few bass traps.. but I've given up on that now as rockwool fucking stinks to me. I'd rather turn it down a bit instead & live with my room as it is. The room is a 3.3m x 3.3m box & is never gonna be perfect.
20170213_184552.jpg
20170213_184608.jpg
20170213_184156.jpg
20170213_184513.jpg
20170213_184301.jpg
You've done a nice job there. Have you thought about doing that as a sideline?

The tr8 case looks as if it could be dual use. Turn the tr8 over and stand it up at a steeper angle.
https://soundcloud.com/mslwte
https://noizefacilityrecords.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/subsekt909
https://www.facebook.com/subsekt909/
Lost to the Void wrote:Fuck off, get some tequila down ya neck and make some noise you cunt....

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Lost to the Void
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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by Lost to the Void »

Mslwte wrote:
terryfalafel wrote:
FX wise I've built a couple of 1073 clone preamps, a Dimension D clone, another analogue chorus called Triko, a Neve 33609 clone, a passive monitor controller and various little headphone amps and bits and pieces.

Still to finish are a dual LA-2A clone, a 500 series SSL mixbuss compressor clone and the ARP 2600 clone that did the rounds on muffwiggler last year. Since moving house, all the workshop / soldering gear has moved into the shed so DIY stops in winter unfortunately....
Of the comps and preamps that you have made, were they kits? I don't want to self source parts but I'm interested in buying complete kits. Any that you would recommend or steer clear from?
You might find this useful
http://www.masonaudio.org/diy/comp1176
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Mslwte
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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by Mslwte »

Lost to the Void wrote:
Mslwte wrote:
terryfalafel wrote:
FX wise I've built a couple of 1073 clone preamps, a Dimension D clone, another analogue chorus called Triko, a Neve 33609 clone, a passive monitor controller and various little headphone amps and bits and pieces.

Still to finish are a dual LA-2A clone, a 500 series SSL mixbuss compressor clone and the ARP 2600 clone that did the rounds on muffwiggler last year. Since moving house, all the workshop / soldering gear has moved into the shed so DIY stops in winter unfortunately....
Of the comps and preamps that you have made, were they kits? I don't want to self source parts but I'm interested in buying complete kits. Any that you would recommend or steer clear from?
You might find this useful
http://www.masonaudio.org/diy/comp1176
Thanks, that is very useful.
https://soundcloud.com/mslwte
https://noizefacilityrecords.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/subsekt909
https://www.facebook.com/subsekt909/
Lost to the Void wrote:Fuck off, get some tequila down ya neck and make some noise you cunt....

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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by Alume »

Im in the proces of making some agled cases like John did. I want to make them for the elektons, push2, pedals and the 0coast. Plan is to design some low profile laser cuttings, doesnt have to be pretty. The same goes for a 3u eurorack case.

I'd also like to build a huge desk, again nothing fancy, just a big board with 2 support units.

As for treatment, im thinking about either going DIY and building some panels or getting some 2nd hand pro stuff. I think in the end i will do a combination, make a few DIY panels (again lasercut) and simply keep my eyes and ears open for 2nd hand bass traps on the second hand market.


AND get into some DIY eurorack modules.

----


Having acces to a lasercutter really boosted my diy mentality as I dont have to bother about tolerances while working with wood.

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Re: Studio Mods, Hacks and Upgrades

Post by terryfalafel »

Mslwte wrote:
terryfalafel wrote:
FX wise I've built a couple of 1073 clone preamps, a Dimension D clone, another analogue chorus called Triko, a Neve 33609 clone, a passive monitor controller and various little headphone amps and bits and pieces.

Still to finish are a dual LA-2A clone, a 500 series SSL mixbuss compressor clone and the ARP 2600 clone that did the rounds on muffwiggler last year. Since moving house, all the workshop / soldering gear has moved into the shed so DIY stops in winter unfortunately....
Of the comps and preamps that you have made, were they kits? I don't want to self source parts but I'm interested in buying complete kits. Any that you would recommend or steer clear from?
There are not all that many projects where everything is included.

Ordering components is a steep learning curve and takes time away from music making, but it's useful to learn about if you end up finishing one project and wanting to do more.

Hairball audio does 1176 clones in rack and 500 series format that are full kits - case and everything included.

I linked to a 1073 preamp clone (EZ-1073) in another thread. That's from Audio Maintenance and it comes with everything except a case. Ironically, metalwork and front panel design / creation is often the most time consuming part of the build, but hey ho :-) It's highly recommended though - mic and line preamp with EQ and it sounds lovely.

I'd steer clear of anything with valves for the first few projects. Dealing with mains voltages and wiring power transformers etc is enough on the first couple of builds. Very high voltage tube circuits with very high current heater supplies is something to build up to.

One project which is almost a rite of passage for lots of DIYers is the Gyraf SSL 4000 bus compressor clone. It's a simple enough build, it's not too expensive and it comes with the option of lots of nice mods when it's working. Plus it's a really useful unit which most people seem to find a use for in their studio, no matter what style of music they record.

If you haven't been there already, have a look at groupdiy.com. It's really the best source of this stuff that I've found on t'internet. Ex-console designers and techs rubbing shoulders with professional recording engineers and electronics gurus, plus mere mortals asking simple questions and getting (generally) polite and correctly-explained answers.


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