I sent out a message asking if anyone wanted to sell a synth, and someone from the Chicago area got back to me. I look back on those days with nothing but fondness. I had been active for some time on the Flaming Fish Mailing List, an email mailing list (remember those?) for fans of the Christian Industrial music label, Flaming Fish. I had been using a pirated copy of FruityLoops 2.0 with my friend Dan to make some rhythmic mayhem, but it was pretty wanting in terms of synth sounds (and FruityLoops was not the fully fledged DAW studio environment it eventually became…and I did eventually go legal and purchase it), so I thought it would be a good idea to buy an actual synthesizer. Near the end of my Freshman year in college, in 2001, I purchased my first hardware synthesizer. Red traces show the FM-800 modification.Of all my synths and drum machines, this one has the longest story, and it also the dearest to me. Mount the pot on the front panel and amaze your friends!īlack traces show the original wiring.This doesn't seem to be critical, but I would recommend using a 22K resistor if you replace R22. Optionally, remove R22 and replace it with a vertically oriented 1/ 4W 22K resistor. One end of R22 is conected to R23 connect that point to the wire that's connected to the 1K resistor (connected to the 5K pot). If you connect the wire to the leg of the vertically oriented resistor it will be a better connection and less likely to cause problems. Optionally, remove R74 and replace it with a vertically oriented 1/ 4W 62K resistor. One end of R74 is connected to IC4 pin 7 connect that point to the high side of the pot. Locate the ground pad next to connector CN9 and solder a ground wire to it.Solder a length or wire to the resistor.Ĭover the resistor and it's leads with heat-shrink tubing. Solder the 1K resistor to the arm of the 5K pot.1K resistor ( 1/ 8W or more will work fine.Knob to make the pot look pretty and feel good.5K (or 4.7K) linear taper pot ( 1/ 8W or more will work fine).If I visit where you live or you visit where I live (currently Wellington NZ) you owe me lunch. If you perform this modification send me an email with pictures, samples and your location. This modification is Copyright Atom Smasher and published under a Picture, Sample, Lunch-Ware License: If anyone wants to send me samples of their modded synth, maybe I'll post it here. The cost of having this modification performed by skilled hands is probably less than the cost Synth/guitar/amp technician if they can do it for you. If you have doubts about your ability to perform this modification, ask your local If you don't have a lot of experience replacing components on a circuit board.
Unfortunately, replacing the resistors risks damage to the circuit board Resistors before trying to connect wires to them. I highly recommend replacing those resistors with vertically oriented 1/ 4W Soldering directly to 1/ 8W resistors mounted tightly to aīoard is something that beginers should avoid (but it seems so easy!). Moog Slayer, I suspect it will result in more casualties. I'd like to also point out that I will not be responsible for blown speakers, amps & ear-drums.Īlthough this modification seems easier than the In addition to the usual disclaimers (if you break it, it's your problem, not mine!),
Moog Slayer modification for a total of 3 knobs full of fun. This modification very nicely compliments the To far beyond the normal capabilities of a Poly-800. The results are capable of sounding very much like an FM synthesizer.Ī knob allows the effect to be turned from completely off, This is commonly known as FM control of a filter.Īlthough it's technically not Frequency Modulation,
This modification to the Poly-800 series of synthesizers adds the ability to
FM-800 Filter Mod for Korg EX-800 and Poly-800įM-800 By Atom Smasher Filter Mod for Korg EX-800 and Poly-800Īlso see the HAWK-800 mod, and keep an eye out for the Reviews, Pictures, Tech Notes