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Korg Micro Preset M-500/SP

Well, my Korg Micro Preset M-500SP (SP = with built-in internal speaker) actually came with all the original stuff, as new if you've bought it back in the 70's. It has all the accessories, manual, preset cards, keyboard cover (tho a bit yellowed now), music stand and was also in its original box! PLUS the original "Korg Synthesizer" sticker!

The only thing I haven't got with it, is probably the hardcase...


The Presets on the M-500/SP

2' 2' TRUMPET I VIOLIN I RECORDER WHISTLE
4' WHITE NOISE TRUMPET II VIOLIN II FLUTE SOPRANO
8' 8' TRUMPET III VIOLA OBOE ALTO
16' PINK NOISE TROMBONE CELLO CLARINET TENOR
32' 32' TUBA D. BASS BASSOON BASS
SYNTHE 1 SYNTHE 2 BRASS STRING WOOD VOICE
There's a trick in these push buttons - you can actually press down more than 1 button, and get new sounds.
eg you can have SYNTHE2 and VOICE pressed down together....
My Korg M-500SP
I didn't drop down notes on what I have done when i 1st modded this, as I didn't know anything about modding synths back then. I only installed a socket kit from Analogue Solutions and later on a Synhouse Midi-Jack II.
Anyway, here's how mine looks like now:

You can see it's slightly modded, I'll slowly gather the info on these pages. I'll eventually re-work on this, as i do want to sort out a CV Tuner and mod the Gate Input so that REPEAT Functions could be used.
I do have the Service Notes on the M-500, but they're very faint photocopied sheets, and I've tried scanning them but even with the highest res, it's still very hard to read.

From the schematics, I did find a route to patch in an AUDIO INPUT to the "Traveler" VCF.

 

 

Stuff I've Done on My Korg M-500SP
-> see the M-500SP MOD page
bulletIEC Mains Inlet Connector (Not a socket tho) 
bulletSwitch to MUTE the internal speaker
bulletBasic CV/Gate In
bulletAux CV to VCF Traveler
bulletExternal Audio Input to Traveler VCF
bulletMIDI - Synhouse Midi-Jack II
bulletFuture Plans: External CV Tuner / External Gate with REPEAT Function and/or better Midi

 

 

Some Korg Micro Preset M-500 SP Soundz
Just some basic playing around with the Synthe2 sounds....
bullet Synthe2 + Traveler 1
 Synthe2 at 32' setting, moving the Traveler VCF...
bullet Synthe2 + Traveler 2
 Synthe2 at 8' setting, moving the Traveler VCF...
bullet Synthe2 + Traveler + Mod + Portamento
 Synthe2 + Modulation and with the Portamento slide, plus moving the Traveler as played along...
bullet Synthe2 + Traveler + Mod + REPEAT
 Synthe2 + Modulation and with the REPEAT function turned ON, plus moving the Traveler as played along...
bullet Synthe2 + VOICE + Traveler + Mod + Portamento
 Synthe2 AND Voice button pressed together...
With Modulation & Portamento...
This is that freaky ghost sound....
bullet White Noise + Traveler
 Just the White Noise, but moving the Traveler, you can easily get those synth "WIND" FX sounds...
-> Play ALL
 

 

 

Other Links on the Micro-Preset

bullet Korg Kornukopia (korganalogue.net) has info on old Korg Synths
bulletJapanese: K.T.'s Analogue Synth Site has detailed (tables) description of the M-500 Front Panel (in Japanese)
bulletJapanese: E-Lab site has info and CV/Gate Mods Schematics of the M-500 (in Japanese) - Now gone (?)
bullet Original M-500 Japanese Brochure for the M-500 (courtesy of Denhaku.com)

 

 

 

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