Josh Paxton Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I have a love-hate relationship with my SV-1; love the sounds, hate the keybed. I'm in the process of overhauling my rig, and what I would really love is a rack-mount SV-1 -- or more to the point, a table top one, since I don't want to actually install it in a rack. So I'm wondering about the cost and practicality of having someone take the guts out of my SV-1, and put them in a nice compact box that I can trigger via MIDI. As far as space considerations, I don't need most of the front panel controls, which should cut down on the physical size. Basically I just need the power switch, volume knob, and patch selectors (two knobs plus the keypad). If anyone here does this kind of work, knows someone who does, or can give me a ballpark idea of how big and expensive a project this is likely to be, please chime in. Any info much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Maybe contact Phil at MegaOhm Audio in Chicago. http://www.megaohmaudio.com/ He's a really nice guy and makes some wonderful modules for the dotcom / Moog 5U format. He also does custom work for people that want non-dotcom things in 5U format, so he knows how to do the metal work that a project like this would need and is obviously very good with electronics. I have no idea if he'd take something like this on, but he's the first name that popped in my head. Keep it greazy! B3tles - Soul Jazz THEO - Prog Rock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Is the SV-1 one big PC board. In theory is sounds like an easy thing. But I don't know what it would be like to custom etch the boards you need. It would be cool to see the final product. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Ferris Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Or Jim Williams at Audio Upgrades. http://www.audioupgrades.com/contact_us/conact_us.htm He's out here between LA & San Diego in Carlsbad so not sure you wanna deal with shipping and all that. He mainly does mods for studio pro audio stuff-mics, consoles, effect units, etc. But he also has done keyboards. He's still Stevie's main tech who services his keyboards when he goes out the road. I was going to get him to upgrade the D/A on my CP300 before I sold it. Not sure he'd take it on but it's worth a try if you strike out everywhere else. https://soundcloud.com/dave-ferris 2005 NY Steinway D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgoo Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Before going to the expense that you'll likely never be able to recoup, why not sell it & get something else? To have a SV-1 but not need the keyboard or front panel kinda diminishes the point of that instrument IMHO. Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio www.gmma.biz https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangefunk Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I'm with McGoo... problem is that there are no real hardware solutions atm. I think something will happen on the iPad though. Hopefully that and a MIDI controller will be the gig set up for many of us in the future. I also own a SV-1, I like it for what it is and I think for gigging it's limitations (mostly the dynamics of the rhodes) are okay. I agree on the keyboard action, I think Korg need to get their actions to the level of Roland and Yamaha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 The cost of having a module made ( if possible) plus the loss of $'s you could get on the SV-1 sale would probably get you a Receptor 2 loaded with what ever you want. This won't be cheap but it could be cool. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Paxton Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 Thanks for the info and names, and please keep 'em coming. Before going to the expense that you'll likely never be able to recoup, why not sell it & get something else? A valid question. The simple answer is, because I have yet to find another board whose sounds I connect with like I connect with those. The Rhodes and Wurlitzer in particular just speak to me in a way that others don't. Plus, with the rig I'm putting together, a module is far preferable to another keyboard. Running a laptop regrettably isn't a viable option for this scenario. I'm actively looking for a GEM RP-X (put an ad in the classified section earlier today) to see if that gives me what I need. But in case it doesn't, I just wanted to get an idea what the options were like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I believe Speakeasy does work like this.If the front panel is separated into a number of separate PCBoards, it should be fairly straightforward. If all the buttons and knobs are on one long-ass PCB, then not. I doubt they'd make it from one long circuit board, but what do I know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Then there's the question of what board are you going to play the "rack" from, and are the keys on that board going to allow you to connect to the sounds in the same manner that you do using the SV-1's action? Seems to be more trouble than it's worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherScott Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Then there's the question of what board are you going to play the "rack" from, and are the keys on that board going to allow you to connect to the sounds in the same manner that you do using the SV-1's action? Well, that would be easy to test "pre-surgery" by simply triggering the SV1 over MIDI using whatever controller board you're thinking about using... Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Well, that would be easy to test "pre-surgery" by simply triggering the SV1 over MIDI using whatever controller board you're thinking about using... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LyonsT Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 its a great idea, I'd sure as hell buy one! Tonewheels!! KeyB Duo MkII Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burningbusch Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Maybe you should wait and see if the new SV-1 has an action more to your liking. Korg has come out with a fix for Kronos users with the double strike issue. This is a complete keybed replacement. Reports are the double strike is gone, the odd gaps between keys are gone and the overall feel/response is better. It is still called the RH3. You should be able to tell if it's a new keybed by looking at the key gaps. Don't know when these are going to hit the stores. Busch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Coda Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 I'm actively looking for a GEM RP-X (put an ad in the classified section earlier today) to see if that gives me what I need. But in case it doesn't, I just wanted to get an idea what the options were like. New @Music Store ... http://www.musicstore.de/en_EN/GBP/GEM-RP-X-Piano-Expander-der-Promega-Serie/art-KEY0002087-000 A.C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonglow Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 The RP-X is great for APs....not so much for Rhodes and Wurlis, IMHO. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Coda Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 The RP-X is great for APs....not so much for Rhodes and Wurlis, IMHO. That´s my impression too. Have you ever found something which works for AP, Rhodes, Wurly, Pianet & Clavinet in a perfection and out of one box ? I didn´t. Up to now for me, Kurzweil does the trick, but isn´t perfect at all. Korg Kronos and NORD Stage 2 comes in mind too, but there´s the price if one wants the weighted 88 action. A.C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Paxton Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 Maybe you should wait and see if the new SV-1 has an action more to your liking. Korg has come out with a fix for Kronos users with the double strike issue. This is a complete keybed replacement. Reports are the double strike is gone, the odd gaps between keys are gone and the overall feel/response is noticeably better. It is still called the RH3. This is the first I've heard of this news, and it definitely caught my attention. Where did you hear it? Are there more details online? With all the (valid) complaints about the RH3, you'd think this would be the talk of the town for Korg users. You'd also think Korg would give the new action a new name. [EDIT: Found the info on KorgForums.] Have you ever found something which works for AP, Rhodes, Wurly, Pianet & Clavinet in a perfection and out of one box ? Of course not. Based on current hardware boards, my personal Frankensynth would have the Kronos APs, the SV-1 Rhodes and Wurlitzer (and effects, including the tube), and the Nord Clavs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherScott Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Have you ever found something which works for AP, Rhodes, Wurly, Pianet & Clavinet in a perfection and out of one box ? I didn´t. Me neither. My favorite APs have been from Yamaha and Nord, my favorite EPs have been from Kurzweil and Korg (and sometimes Casio). I'm not so fussy about clav, so won't offer an opinion there. (I also haven't spent as much time with some of the Kawai, Roland, and Numa stuff.) Up to now for me, Kurzweil does the trick, but isn´t perfect at all. The PC2R with the Classic Keys ROM was fine for me for these things, except being weaker in the acoustic piano. Okay for its time, but outclassed by current Yamaha/Nord pianos which have spoiled me. But that PC2R would still make a nice companion module to a MOX8 or an Electro 3HP. Though since I always prefer to gig with two boards anyway, it would be even better to use a PC361 instead of the PC2R. Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burningbusch Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 This is the first I've heard of this news, and it definitely caught my attention. Where did you hear it? Are there more details online? With all the (valid) complaints about the RH3, you'd think this would be the talk of the town for Korg users. You'd also think Korg would give the new action a new name. http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=68811 Regarding improved playability, it seems some users sense it while other are not so sure, so the feel is probably close to the current version. Busch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Well, that would be easy to test "pre-surgery" by simply triggering the SV1 over MIDI using whatever controller board you're thinking about using... Why the eyeroll on a reasonable suggestion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Does anything about this thread really seem easy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zephonic Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 http://www.forat.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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