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.

Getting Jiggy With Synthfool #9: Match Game

This little setup enables me to match resistors, with the end goal of making Minimoog oscillator boards happier! :)

Getting Jiggy With Synthfool #8: Air Cooled Dummy Load

An oldie but a goodie:




This is used to run an amp at full power while monitoring it on a scope.
Produces 4 ohms or 8 ohms using 4 8ohm 100 watt resistors that have a fan attached to them.
Teflon wire was used to make this durable, and it's stood the test of time quite well!

Getting Jiggy with Synthfool #7: OTA/AMP Tester

Made from one of our buffer board clones, this little tester works with the Amerel power supply to test LM3080's and single opams.






It features a special socket for easier insertion and removal of opamps, and it is a very quick and simple way of testing opamps.

Getting Jiggy with Synthfool #6: "Fluffy"

I decided to name this special power cord after the 3-headed dog in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.



This power plug has all 3 common power plugs found in synths: Roland/Korg, Oberheim SEM/Arp 2600/Steiner Parker, and IEC-Style (standard).
This was made out of the frustration of having to hunt around for the right power cord.

Getting Jiggy WIth Synthfool #5: Multiple Plugs

This is not a custom jig, but rather a modified one. :)




Boss Multiple Plugs (Modified)

A Boss J5 Multiple Jacks that was modified.
It now has 4 plugs instead of jacks.
It sends one signal to 4 places.
It was made almost 20 years ago to test 4 Track recorders.
(A cable was made to test 8 track recorders, but no pic was taken of that.)

Getting Jiggy With Synthfool: #4: SEM Tester

One of my favorite jigs: The Oberheim SEM Tester




This box is a great way to troubleshoot and fix SEM's without having to take it in and out of its chassis.
The pegs on top that allow for it to rest easily and securely using the SEM's mounting holes.
Harnesses are provided with color-coded molex connectors that match the original chassis wiring.
The box also provides scope and meter outputs.

Getting Jiggy With Synthfool: #3: Resistor Substitution Box

This is a very sturdy and very accurate resistor substiution box that was made after Synthfool was sick of fixing his old, standard resistor substitution wheel.
It features a die cast aluminium chassis with all aluminium Alco knobs found on Emu modulars.
It features .1% Holco resistors
All the switches have doubled up contacts.

Inside the Portable VCO

A couple pics of the inside of the Portable VCO:

Getting Jiggy With Synthfool #2: Essential Tools #1-The IC Tester

There are a few essential tools that are worth mentioning as a part of this series.
Here's the first one:
Modular Circuit Technology Mod-HIC IC Tester




Tests many of the chips used in synths--CMOS, TTL, and some memory chips.
An indespensible tool that can even identify certain chips if the writing's been removed.
These are no longer made and occasionally pop up on eBay.

You know, I honestly thought every tech had one of these until it was pointed out to me that they're rare!

New Photo Series: Getting Jiggy With Synthfool: #1: VCO 2 GO

Hello!

I'm starting a new photo series on this blog, and the content won't be found anywhere else. :)

My husband's made a wide variety of his own test equipment and such over the years. We've finally decided to document them, and he's given me permission to post them on my blog. :)

This is one of my favorites: The Portable VCO






This is a battery operated, CEM-based VCO that could very easily fit in a pocket.

The VCO uses a 9 volt battery to power a circuit that uses a CEM3340.
It is very stable and tracks extremely well.
It features both 1/8" and 1/4" jacks for CV in and Audio out.