Korg Nano series controllerismiation

[continentalrocket]

Hey everybody!

I got my set of korg nano controllers a few days ago and after seeing this post, I realized the enormous potential in these tiny plastic things. So I say lets put our heads together and come up with something decent.

Now, first thing: has anybody taken theirs apart? It would be nice to see what we're dealing with before starting the design. And although I want to see the inside of a nano, I wouldn't want to take mine apart just yet, so I thought maybe one of you have already and maybe even taken some pictures.

If nobody did, I am willing to be the first, but before I destroy my shiny new controllers, I thought I'd ask if someone has already taken theirs apart.

So yeah, let's get started, any no idea is too dumb, just write your thoughts down!


Peace, love and afro grease,

continentalrocket

[Str8upDrew]

I took apart my nanokontrol the first day i got it. I've always been a big fan of the hacker motto, "If you can't open it, you don't own it". I didn't take any pictures though. It's a pretty straight forward device, everything is pcb mounted, and the conductive rubber button pads are in pairs of 2, except the transport and "scene" buttons are all one piece.
I'm not sure what you're wanting to do with it, but it's a pretty simple device, and i've found to be pretty useful just the way it is.

[continentalrocket]

I took apart my nanokontrol the first day i got it. I've always been a big fan of the hacker motto, "If you can't open it, you don't own it". ... I'm not sure what you're wanting to do with it, but it's a pretty simple device, and i've found to be pretty useful just the way it is.

True that. I attached the pics to the post :-)

From what I saw, you're pretty much right about the fact that it's pretty simple. There's not much that can be done to the KONTROL without pretty major surgery and the effort is simply not worth it, because you'd be better off starting from scratch.

The nanoKey was even worse. The only thing I could remove was the little lid in the top left corner that reveled the pcb.

The nanoPad, however could be improved a little bit. With an hours work, the pads could be changed to arcade buttons, making fast triggers easier. And while you're at it, you can combine it with the Kontrol in a nice new case with a custom layout. Maybe even add the nanoKey. I'll try to figure out some kinda layout. I'll post it as soon as I'm done with it. I know it will never be a VCI-100, but this is the closest I'll get to it for a while. I'm pretty tight with cash at the moment. That's why I'm trying to get the most of what I've got :-)

My only concern is that copper thing on the back. It didn't see anything connected to it. What does it do?

EDIT: forgot the pictures :-) here they are:
http://files.getdropbox.com/u/382996/DSCN0940.JPG
https://files.getdropbox.com/u/382996/DSCN0941.JPG
https://files.getdropbox.com/u/382996/DSCN0943.JPG
https://files.getdropbox.com/u/382996/DSCN0944.JPG
https://files.getdropbox.com/u/382996/DSCN0945.JPG
https://files.getdropbox.com/u/382996/DSCN0946.JPG
https://files.getdropbox.com/u/382996/DSCN0947.JPG
https://files.getdropbox.com/u/382996/DSCN0948.JPG

[Str8upDrew]

Not sure what is up with the copper strip. But i have to say that i'm disappointed with Korg's piss poor soldering job on it. Come on, i could have done better than that when i was 12 with the $7 radio shack iron that i had at the time.

[continentalrocket]

Yeah I couldn't agree more about the soldering.
I attached a very simple starting point, just to get the discussion started. I apologize for the photoshop skills but I drew it on paper and didn't have time to do it nicely in photoshop. Some of us have day jobs, you know :-)

[Str8upDrew]

The only drawback to the arcade buttons, is that you lose pressure sensitivity. But you don't really need that for djing.

[continentalrocket]

Oh yeah, I haven't thought of that. But I don't think I'll be using the pads to make music from scratch. If i do need to, I have the keyboard to do that. (and I couldn't find any pressure sensitive buttons as parts for sale)
I started to look at how to put this idea into reality. My main concern is the case. I have no idea about what material to use. I'm not really keen to make a wooden case, but I can't think of anything else. Any ideas?
Also, where do people make those professional looking labels for theirs mods?

[Fatlimey]

True that. I attached the pics to the post :-)
https://files.getdropbox.com/u/382996/DSCN0948.JPG

Can you humor me and tell me if you can read any of the numbers on those chips? I have a bet with someone the big square one is an Atmel AT90USB<something>, and I'm guessing the larger rectangular one is a 74LS674.

[continentalrocket]

Sure buddy, no problem!
The big square one is an Atmel Atmega32 16AU 0828D (or something like that)
The larger rectangular one is the PDIUSBD12, if that makes any sense. Those letters are REALLY small. Sorry it's not what you thought it is.

[continentalrocket]

About the material for the case, I thought about plexiglass, so you can see all the PCB's and chips and stuff. Maybe put some LED's in there... All I'm waiting for right now is my paycheck :-) I still need to figure out how to combine the non see-through parts with the see-through ones. As soon as I figure that out and get my paycheck, I'll order the parts.

If anybody has some ideas or suggestions, it doesn't matter if it's good or bad, just write them down. I need all the help I need. This is the biggest modding I've done so far.