Minimoog Switch discoloration

Tips and techniques for Minimoog Analog Synthesizers
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normhart
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Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2015 11:25 am

Minimoog Switch discoloration

Post by normhart » Sun Dec 03, 2017 1:09 am

Is there some kind of miracle cleaner that can bring back the original color to these switches? Much as I find the two tone look amusing, I’d still prefer the original color!

On another note, I was noodling around the other day and stumbled onto this talkbox-like patch that has a cool human voice sounding effect. Use the Modulation wheel to do the articulations.
FILTER
Filter Modulation: On
Keyboard Control 1 & 2: Off
Cutoff: -4
Emphasis: 7
Amount of Contour: 2
Attack Time: 400 msec
Decay Time: 400 msec
Sustain Level: 0

LOUDNESS CONTOUR
Attack Time: 0 msec
Decay Time: 800 msec
Sustain Level: 5

MIXER
VCO 1: On
VCO 2: Off
VCO 3: Off (LFO Mode modulating filter)

OSCILLATOR BANK
OSCILLATOR 1: Sawtooth
RANGE: 16’
OSCILLATOR 3: Square
RANGE: 2’
FREQUENCY: 8

OSC. 3 CONTROL: Up
OSCILLATOR MODULATION: Off

MOD WHEEL : Dynamic Control

PS: You may need to adjust some of the settings as my Minimoog is a ‘77 and I’m not sure how far Off specification it may have drifted over 40 years. But the general settings should get you in the ballpark.
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MC
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Re: Minimoog Switch discoloration

Post by MC » Tue Dec 05, 2017 12:15 am

I'm afraid you're stuck with the discoloration.
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normhart
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Re: Minimoog Switch discoloration

Post by normhart » Sun Dec 10, 2017 1:06 am

Here’s what that patch sounds like in case anyone’s interested:

https://soundcloud.com/norman-hartendorp/minimoog-2

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Tom Liberatore
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Re: Minimoog Switch discoloration

Post by Tom Liberatore » Sun Dec 10, 2017 2:11 am

Wild! Good job.
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normhart
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Re: Minimoog Switch discoloration

Post by normhart » Sun Dec 10, 2017 7:02 am

Glad you liked it. Here’s a similar alien noises one I did a few years ago with Animoog. This one sounds more effective thru headphones since there’s a lot of panning & stereo effects :)

https://soundcloud.com/norman-hartendor ... sday-night

Blackout
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Re: Minimoog Switch discoloration

Post by Blackout » Tue Dec 12, 2017 7:58 am

hi normhart, i have done some work on restoring uv-affected switch colors. i wrote a post on my blog about it, take a look at the last few pics where i brought back the blue switch tops from a greenish color back to the original blue...might help you.

https://jup8restoration.wordpress.com/2 ... ne-yellow/

Cheers,
Blackout

normhart
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Re: Minimoog Switch discoloration

Post by normhart » Tue Dec 12, 2017 8:51 am

Thanks Blackout. Those are very impressive results and are exactly what I was looking for -great work! I saw a video somewhere that restored old plastic computer cases that had similar uv related marring. This is what made me believe that it was possible to restore discoloration.

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bichuelo
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Re: Minimoog Switch discoloration

Post by bichuelo » Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:07 pm

great preset @normhart!
On our new unit I opened up the filter to -3 and introduced a little bit of noise on the modulation mix at 1 (Osc 3 and Noise positions, on the black modulation rocker switches) so one could feel the vocalisation with the mod wheel

regarding the decoloration, I understand it will take much more time to happen when not exposed to direct sunlight?
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normhart
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Re: Minimoog Switch discoloration

Post by normhart » Tue Dec 12, 2017 11:29 pm

By all means, go all out on those settings. Those initial settings I made are definitely made to be tweaked. One odd note, I tried using these settings on my iMini iPad app and got nowhere near the sound I got on the hardware. I figure the model Arturia used had a different response compared with mine, or maybe just my 40 year old instrument drifted somewhat from what it sounded like out of the box in 1976/77.

Blackout
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Re: Minimoog Switch discoloration

Post by Blackout » Wed Dec 13, 2017 8:05 pm

You really need the UV light of the sun. The whole process and chemical reaction requires it.

A few guys have tried putting them under their lizard tank UV light and it *kinda* works.. but not as well and requires twice as long. It’s not as full spectrum.

normhart
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Re: Minimoog Switch discoloration

Post by normhart » Thu Dec 14, 2017 2:07 am

Yes, this was done on the video I saw of an Amiga 500 computer case and keyboard restored to perfect original condition.

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