Getting Jiggy with Synthfool #9: Minimoog MIDI to CV Interface Cable

From the eBay auction listing:

This cable plugs into the keyboard connector of a Minimoog D.
It provides CV and Gate directly into the Minimoog.
It makes the Mini think your external signals actually are the keyboard.
That means you still get the original Moog glide and working orange Keyboard Tracking switches on the filter too.

Works great with many MIDI to CV converters because it requires a positive-going gate (V Trig) and not Moog's special S-Trig.
My husband used it with his Kenton Pro-Solo MKII to test Minimoogs.
Can also be used to interface a modular synth or sequencer with a Minimoog.

Round 2 of Ebay!

Thanks to all who made our first round of Polymoog parts a rousing success! :)

Round 2 has begun with Minimoog replacement vinyl panels! Choose from two different finishes! :)

Coming soon to the parts store...

Minimoog cinch jones connector sets!

Broadway Baby!

I was looking through the eBay folder on my husband's HD while relisting auctions, and I found this:



We sold this Mini years ago. It was purchased for the Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
The concept album was made before the Mini was, so it's interesting that a Mini was added to the orchestra.

Shameless Plug Alert-Sale on Minimoog/Moog Modular Pointer knobs!

We're selling 42 pointer knobs for Minis or Moog Modulars for the low price of $2.50 each!
You can buy one or as many as you need, but once the 42 are gone, that's all!

Click here for the eBay auction

Just the board, ma'am...

(or, Another Shameless Plug Alert...)

While we mainly handle complete restorations of whole Minis, we will, on occasion, take in just a board or two.
Here's the latest of these "just the board" repairs. In this case, a filter board:




If this service sounds intriguing to you, let me know. :)
Obviously, only repairing a Mini's circuit boards won't fix every single problem with a Mini, but it is a step in the right direction. :)

One of a Kind Minimoog Filter Clone in a Moog Module Shell!

Click here for the eBay auction!

When restoring a Minimoog...

"Drill, baby, drill!" is NOT a phrase to keep in mind!








Y'see, you're most likely going to leave tiny bits of metal in the pots when you drill them. That's a disaster waiting to happen!

If you're gonna change caps...

... do yourself and the synth a favor and put the value of the cap face up, and make sure the lead isn't smushed up against the positive side of the cap. That way you look like you know what you're doing. ;-)

Changed some resistors today, too. That always takes me back to my early days with Synthfool, when I helped assemble Polyfusion modules. :)

Mini Mouse House

My husband posted pics of a Mini we just opened up over on the Moog Music Forum

Fail (an ebay find)

My husband contributed this one... apparently someone's selling a shirt that has a Voyager on it under the title "Classic Vintage." Can we say FAIL? Yes, we can...




On what planet is a synth that came out this decade "classic vintage"?
What next, a Little Phatty personally signed by Bob Moog?

(Note: This is not meant as a slam against the Voyager. It is meant as a slam against the idiot who is trying to sell these shirts!)

Early Metal Panel Mini For Sale!

Remember that horrible pic of a metal panel Mini I posted awhile back?
Well, it's done and ready for sale!

Click here for the auction.

Workspace

Last week, I did my first cleaning/rebushing job on a Minimoog keyboard in many, many moons.
I decided to take a picture of how I like like to set my work space up when I do this.

1. Two trash bags spread out. One to keep the keybed on, and one to put the keys on while they're being cleaned


2. Soft mallet to help remove stubborn keys from keybed


3. Special tool for the springs


4. Screwdriver for tightening key screws. (I actually used a 1/4, which is a size bigger than in this picture.)


5. Old wire cutters for removing stubborn bushings


6. Pliers, just in case


7. iPod, for making work more enjoyable


8. Cotton swabs, for various cleaning uses


9. Glass cleaner, for cleaning the keytops


10. Simple green, for cleaning the metal part of the keys


11. Glass jar with lid for little dome thingies (I leave cleaning these up to my husband.)


12. Bin to put springs in


13. Old cotton t-shirt for cleaning keytops

metal panel mini squee!

A new visitor who is older than I am! :)



Yes, I took this with my camera phone, which is why it's so crappy.

Trust me, you'll see lots more pics of the whole Mini this summer. :)

I'm on hiatus until the 14th, 'cause on Friday the 13th, I get to test for my black belt in Tae Kwon Do. It's a little earlier than I expected, so I really gotta practice. :)

Color changing Minimoog

A Minimoog painted with a special color changing paint. The lit wheel has a color changing LED in it too. :)

This is one of those custom projects that was cool to watch. :)

Bad spring, good spring...

All the springs that were removed from a Minimoog's action. I swear, the Mini in question was the victim of malpractice. :(

A Very Filthy Mini

Dunno where this Mini came from, but it's a shot taken at our old place.
It looked much better after a nice, hot bath though. ;-)

Metal panel Mini AND Buchlas.... squee!

The person who sent me this wishes to remain anonymous. If I had a metal panel Minimoog that's 36 years old and a couple of Buchlas, I'd want to remain anonymous, too! :)

Back to synth pics...

Here's Squidlo, who turned 12 a week ago, in front of a very cool Minimoog.
Note the System 700 in the background. :)

Why I Love Being Mrs. Synthfool, 8th Anniversary Edition

... 'cause I'm married to a brilliant man who does stuff like this: