via this auction"The synth has an added 25-pin connector on the left side, which does not affect any normal functions, and if you know how to use it it could come in handy. I do not know what it was used for by the previous owner. Because of this modification I am allowing returns"
Returns? I think that is the first time I've actually seen that on Ebay. Anyway, anyone have any ideas what the mod would be for?
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The 25-pin connector is obviously to hook up to a printer and print out your patches.
ReplyDeleteIt could be for anything. But here's a hunch
ReplyDeleteThe MS20 came out in '78 and the PAIA 8700 computer using that same connector came out 2 or 3 years later. At the time the PAIA computer was state of the art, and being directly aimed at synthesizer applications there wasn't much else available like it. For awhile it was quite desirable, even outside the PAIA community.
John Simonton wrote at least one article about interfacing his 8700 to synths other than PAIA. It's not a stretch to think that an MS20 owner might want to use the two together.
If the hunch is correct, most of the important details can be found in a book PAIA published around that time called "Friendly Stories about Synthesizers". The book includes circuits, source code and other technical details. Friendly Stories is a compilation of articles in Polyphony magazine, so back issues would be another source.
Maybe take a look at the back side of the connector and see where the leads go from the pins. Find those locations on the circuit diagram and reverse engineer what they are connected to and may be used for.
ReplyDeleteI have a Korg Polysix that has a connector like this as well. On mine the different pins lead to the different Diodes on the keyboard's PCB. Im guessing it was used to play some other synth that didnt have its own keyboard.
ReplyDelete