Hey, I just found out I have both chip 'versions' of the EK-001,
Here is how my 2 differ-but these may be only rough guides, there are probably many production changes!
Newer(?) 'Blob chip' has large T-1 sized power light and tempo light, tempo light on dimly all the time.
Has VERY loud volume, too loud even on lowest setting.
'Microphone volume" label text smaller than 'power' text
'C-C#' text over lower keys is normal proportion/size.
DC in and headphone jacks 'closed' on bottom side.
DC jack in tip/center POSITIVE 6-9 volts
The BIG clue-this unit takes SIX AA batts.
Has 1 big main board inside.
Has bug-after messing with rhytms then starting the demo, sometimes only plays the beat (demo tune does not start)
2nd Older model(?):
It has 1/3 size board over the main one with a surface mount IC (quite large, pins can be soldered)
Volume is reasonable unmodded, has pot inside(pitch setting?), TINY power and tempo lights, squished C-C# letters over the low keys, the speaker under the grille has a silver center,DC in and Headphone in are open to the inside,DC in is center/tip NEGATIVE (honestly.....be careful with AC adaptors!!!!), and takes only 4 AA batts.
The power light does not light? (but power switch is screwed, so...)
This one a very light high pitch 'sing' from speaker when on.....
Both units have horrible switches.....
I also have 2 of a "CX-500 Electronic sound system" keyboard that is ALSO a EK-001 in disguise.
All functions are same/sounds same, keyboard notes DO seem to decay a bit faster, a small capacitor difference?
3 settings only for volume/microphone, volume acts as a tone control (higher=brighter)
"the music designer" under power switch, mic input right by the volume control.
Has dark gray case with light gray under controls, blue square "custom drummer" buttons on right, pink rhythm buttons, separate 1-8 list for rhythms and 'orchestra' (all buttons just numbered) everything is 'angled' toward the front center a bit!
Overall quaility seems quite better than the EK, good swiitches, looks nice, etc....
Has the 'blob' chip inside.
I was REALLY attracted to the "organ" sound on these....nothing else sounds like it, and I have a lot of keyboards pass through my hands!
BTW, a Playskool PS-635 toy KB ALSO has the exact same organ sound, and neat blippy rhythms. BUT it is only ONE note 'poly'-can it be modified for 2?
Is this a useful first post ? :*)
I just love this stuff.....