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[billywood]

Hello all. This is my first post. Great forum. Blah....

I just bought this HR-16B (hopefully pictured if I've done it right):



Is it safe to assume that this is a circuitbenders.co.uk mod? The 3-way patches and switches seem like the signature.

Just so I know who to blame when my neighbours start banging on the walls.

Cheers.

[Circuitbenders]

Its one of ours but i'm sure i only modded that one about a month ago. In fact i used it to create this demo:
http://soundcloud.com/circuitbenders-co-uk/some-free-loops-from-a-circuit

Did you just get that from this auction http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/180673890817 ?

[jamiewoody]

after seeing this, it makes me wish i had not sold mine! this was my pre-bending days!

[billywood]

Did you just get that from this auction http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/180673890817 ?

Yes, that's the one. They're selling a TR-707 too (unmodified), but their feedback history is too sparse to be a dealer of any sort, so I don't think they've set out to make a profit from you. It's great news for me anyway, it being so 'new'.

In any case, I'll be sure to acknowledge Circuitbenders if any music I make with it goes public.

[billywood]

So having learned how easy it appears to be to reprogram the sample ROMs, I am seriously considering it. My only concern is how delicate the patch-bay installation is as I imagine things are somewhat tight in there now.

In your opinion Paul, would a moderately clumsy person be able to lift and replace the ROMs without knacking the patch bay mod?

Cheers.

[Circuitbenders]

The wiring bundle for the patchbay will all be held together with cable ties so it should be fairly sturdy. Be careful of the connections to the pitch knobs from the small LTC1799 oscillator board thats mounted on the back panel just under the main board.
If it was me i'd probably disconnect the pitch knobs while you lever out the sound ROM's so you don't accidently yank the wiring. In fact i think i'd probably remove the main board and the LTC1799 board from the rear casing altogether as it might be easier to get at the ROM's.

If you take your time and are reasonably careful it shouldn't be a problem.

[billywood]

Thanks for that. What you described, is that all something I can do without soldering? I have a condition that makes my hands shake, which makes soldering unthinkable. I like to think that in a parallel universe there's a version of me with steady hands that builds his own synths...

[Circuitbenders]

I think your best bet would be to unscrew the 4 screws that hold the back on and carefully separate the front and the back to see just how much space between them you have to deal with. Its going to be awkward, i know that much, but if you're careful it should be entirely possible without soldering.
Your only issue might be the length of the wires going to the pitch knobs, but i don't recall how long they will be.

[billywood]

Just had a look and there's plenty of wire going to the pitch knobs, enough to leave connected and prop the case open while I pull the sample ROMs.

I've got a few chips and a programmer on order. I'll report back on how I get on.

Cheers.