Modding Audio Equipment

[MCharbonnet]

I've just unearthed an old keyboard, a Yamaha PortaSound PSS-130, and I really enjoy the samples/sounds I get from it. While the keyboard has some pretty sweet sounds, I lack the ability to line out from it. I record music as a hobby and I would prefer to use an audio out from the PortaSound to the mixer, but as I said, no line out. Does anybody have any ideas or even the knowledge of the possibility to create an audio out from a keyboard that uses an onboard speaker?

Charbonnet

 

[Harvey]

If the manual I read online for this keyboard is correct, it doesn't have a line output jack. You would have go into the unit to derive the signal you want.

You could look for a place to drill a hole to hold an appropriate jack. If it has stero output, you would need a TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) jack (like stereo headphones) or two RCA or standard mono 1/4" jacks.

You can derive the signal you want by patching across the speaker(s) or, if you can locate the point in the signal path before the power amp (the circuit that drives the speakers), you could tap it, there.

If you want the speakers to turn off when you plug in, you would need a jack that accomplishes that, or you would also have to include a switch that manually made the change.

This is an easy mod if you have any tech experience. If you're not experienced enough to understand all of the above, ask a friend to help you. I could do it if you're in in the L.A. Ca. area.

Good luck.

 

[herm0016]

sounds like a fun project. you may want to look for Easter eggs too, many of the old key boards used the same logic boards with different settings as higher end models with more features, i do not know about this one though.