Dark Thoughts

Finally got my TR 909 back from the shop, all modded and fixed. MIDI now works well (including external Sync and SYSEX) and I've updated my GTRC module to fully support the two banks. Unfortuately, Roland implemented bank changes using a system real time message, so Studio Connections can't do the bank changes automatically, but heck, being able to use a SYSEX librarian at all for 20 year old gear is a testament to the power of MIDI.

One little niggle I did have was in regards to the new button caps and switches from Chip for Brains. The switches aren't the same height as the old switches, and sit a little higher than the existing ones. Also, the button caps do not stay on the buttons very well. I'm going to have to use some blu-tac or some form of glue to stop them popping off all the time, but it sure does look mean in blue. I also had a couple of non-functioning switches which I'm going to have to return. At least we can get the parts though, so the niggle is pretty minor.

I also changed the knobs on the mods so that they are the same as the old knobs and kinda look like they are meant to be there. The Colin Fraser mods are well worth doing if you want to use the TR 909 properly.

I'm currently working on a KSP8/Rumour/Mangler GTRC module which should be ready for deployment in the next few days once I finishe figuring out exactly what it is Kurzweil did with SYSEX on the Rumour and Mangler. It's close enough to the KSP8 to be annoying.

Anyway, back to the grind. Too much work, too little time.

Labels: GTRC, music, Roland, Studio Connections, TR 909