More Minibrute

So, someone has been in this machine before, and rather brutally broken the connectors. This is what the connector looks like once all of the hot glue (!) has been removed. 

Looking at the other end of the 34 pin cable, I think the hot glue is original; it looks like when they manufacture these things, they hot glue the connectors as an added protection against falling apart? 

So as far as I can tell, someone wanted to get into the machine, has hacked away at the hot glue on the other end of the connection, and in the process have destroyed the connector latches. When they were done, they kind of pressed the assembly together again, hoping for the best. So unsurprisingly, the connector and socket have drifted apart, causing the beast to cease to function. This 34 pin cable is the main interface between the digital board (where the keyboard scanning, CPU, Midi etc is) and the analog board - where the sound comes from. 

Now I have implemented a hack of my own, which is not something I am too proud of but it is a bit of a bugger getting 34 pin 2mm surface mount sockets to suit - so herewith my hack ... 

It works a lot better! Not perfect, but we have some sounds. I also found what was the reason for someone having a go at getting inside the beast. The analog board is covered in a heavily corroding mess of dried diet coke. So, I am gradually working around the board with isopropyl alcohol, and a toothbrush. 

And we have some more sounds ... it kind of makes noises, seems to be largely controllable. The LFO doesn't seem to make any difference to sounds at the moment, but the keyboard all works, the filter filters, the main oscillators and vibrato, pitch bend and the amazing arpeggio all seeem to work. There is some cosmetic work as well  a couple of missing knobs, the slider knobs are all pretty worn and shabby. 

But, all in all, good news - it lives!