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Category: NOT NEWS POSTS

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Many users of this well known pre-amp, will be familiar with the infamous Marshall JMP-1 hum! Emanating from the transformer, the hum is caused by oscillating laminates which don't just produce hum but also can generate a huge amount of heat, thereby potentially reducing the life expectancy of your transformer.

Months in the making, I'm delighted to announce my new PML-TX01 replacement transformer for the Marshall JMP-1.

A replacement transformer for the Marshall JMP-1, my very quiet PML-TX01
And here it is... my PML-TX01 transformer for the Marshall JMP-1

Looking just like the original TXMA-00014 and being pin-for-pin compatible, my PML-TX01 is identical except for one feature; the material used for the laminates is of a much higher quality. This single unique aspect of the PML-TX01 reduces the likelihood of laminate oscillations, excessive heat and mechanical hum.

My PM-TX01 is of course pin-for-pin compatible with the original Marshall TXMA-00014
My PM-TX01 is of course pin-for-pin compatible with the original Marshall TXMA-00014

In a quiet recording environment, the Marshall JMP-1 hum is super-annoying and at last, a solution is now available. If you have hum issues with your JMP-1, then I strongly suggest that you consider this little upgrade.

This item regularly goes out of stock, I'm afraid but... I encourage customers to back-order. Unfortunately, the crappy e-commerce plug-in I use, only tells the links (like the one above) that the item is out of stock. What 's the bloody point of that?!?!?! So if you want this, then please just visit the PML-TX01 page on my e-store here.

MARSHALL JMP-1 VOLTAGE SELECTION

I regularly receive two questions from those interested in my PML-TX01:

  1. Is the PML-TX01 replacement transformer for the Marshall JMP-1, 240V or 120V?
  2. Are the voltage selector components diodes, ferrite beads or just fancy wire links?
Marshall JMP-1 voltage selection
Here are the link locations to select the voltage rating of the primary windings for the transformer in a Marshall JMP-1. The example shown is set to 230V.

The answer to the first question is, just like the original TXMA-00014, my PML-TX01 has two separate primary windings, each rated at 115V. So…

  • EUOPEAN / UK VOLTAGE SELECTION. Wired in series, the primary becomes a single 230V winding. To wire in series, connect ONLY LK2.
  • USA / CANADA / JAPAN VOLTAGE SELECTION. Wired in parallel, the primary becomes a single 115V winding. To wire in parallel, connect LK1 and LK3.

The original links were JUST WIRE LINKS, so you can use wire.

SIDE NOTE

One might ask why the two individual primary windings are put in parallel for 115V. Why not just use one winding?

Well, a system uses a certain amount of power. Power is the product of voltage and current: P = V x I.

You can probably see now that if you half the voltage, you'll need twice the current to deliver the same amount of power. Placing the two primaries in parallel does just that, it doubles the current going into the system. 🙂

Published on

MCK-70 Memory Checker for the Roland MKS-70 and JX-10.

Introducing a fantastic utility, MCK-70 is a memory checker for the Roland JX-10 and MKS-70, developed by non-other than Guy Wilkinson.

A few weeks ago, I received a Roland MKS-70 from a customer in Canada. He’d just had it upgraded with Guy Wilkinson’s fabulous VFD module and Fred Vecoven’s PWM mod but then weird things started to happen. This machine was then sent a couple of thousand miles across the Atlantic to see what I could do with it.

The first thing was to fix the power supply. Indeed, it was shot. Signs of heat damage and all regulated outputs showing zero volts except the -15V line which was reading -21.5V, wasn’t a good start. Oh dear. Anyway, I got that going temporarily as the customer agreed to have Guy Wilkinson’s P0004 switched-mode power supply installed.

The next issue was that some voices weren’t playing. After going over the voice-boards and confirming that they were both okay, I decided to look at the assigner (CPU) board.

To keep things simple, I disconnected the Vecoven PWM mod and I also installed the original Roland firmware. This meant that I had to have the voice-boards connected which is a bit of a pain.

After a lot of testing, chatting with Fred Vecoven and Guy Wilkinson, it seemed clear that the machine had a memory issue.

Guy told me that he’d developed a little bit of software to test the RAM in the Super-JX, so we agreed that this would be a perfect opportunity to actually check it out.

Guy e-mailed me the bin file, I promptly burnt a ROM, installed it into the MKS-70’s Assigner-board and switched on. Oh wow! This is so cool!

MCK-70 in action

Running in the processor's on-board memory and thereby leaving all other memory free, MCK-70 systematically checks not only the main RAM but also the gate-array RAM, writing all zeros as it sweeps. After a few seconds, you end up with an ultra-clean slate, a Super-JX that's cleaner than factory!

I then loaded some factory stuff into the MKS-70. Wow! All looking good so far. Programming a very simple tone and patch confirmed that everything was working and that the issues that were present before, were all gone. Guy, you’re a genius! THANK YOU, my friend. 🙂

MCK-70 Boot
MCK-70 will work on the Roland MKS-70 and the JX-10.

It was obvious that MCK-70 would be really useful to others and so Guy and I decided to make MCK-70 Memory Checker for the Roland MKS-70 and JX-10, available to purchase in my on-line store.

A great tool for anyone who may have similar JX-10 or MKS-70 memory corruption problems, MCK-70 will save you a lot of hassle and money. Removing the TC5564 RAM chip requires removal of the assigner-board and unlike the voice-boards, the assigner-board has a couple of delicate membrane cables connecting it to the display board and the cartridge board. You really want to avoid disturbing these, if you can. On top of that, the TC5564PL-15 isn’t at all easy to get hold of.

So, just imagine if you could check the memory in your MKS-70 and fully initialise it. Why on earth would you want to go to all the trouble of changing the RAM chip just because a few noughts and ones are temporarily in the wrong place?

IMPORTANT

  • Not only available as a downloadable .bin file allowing you to burn MCK-70 on to your favourite 27C256, MCK-70 can also be purchased pre-burnt on to a ROM which will be sent out to you.
  • MCK-70 will totally delete the memory in your machine. Don't mess with it unless you actually have an issue or your machine's memory is backed up.
  • To be clear, MCK-70 will work in the Roland JX-10 and the MKS-70.

Published on

The V02 mounting bracket for the Vecoven PWM mod, allows the two boards of the mod to be mounted off the voice-boards in a MKS-70.

The V01 custom mounting bracket for Vecoven PWM mod for MKS-70
Custom mounting bracket for Vecoven PWM kit in Roland MKS-70.

Occupying the space previously taken up by the transformer, the V02 can ONLY be fitted if Guy Wilkinson's P0004 power supply is installed.

V01 bracket fitted in Roland MKS-70
Notice that Guy Wilkinson's P0004 power supply is also fitted.

There are two main advantages to using the V02 mounting bracket for the Vecoven PWM mod:

  • You don't have to drill any holes into your MKS-70 voice-boards.
  • The PWM mod can very easily and quickly be disconnected from the voice-boards.

IMPORTANT: The V01 mounting bracket is a great solution and keeps things tidy but... due to the fact that the V02 mounts the Vecoven PWM boards in very close  proximity to the voice-boards, it's strongly recommended that vertical IDC headers are fitted to the PWM boards and that the Molex headers used on the ribbon cables are NOT foldback types.

Read more about upgrades for the Roland Super-JX here, or check out Fred Vecoven's awesome PWM mod here. Alternatively, you can just buy it now:

A full guide to mounting the Vecoven PWM daughter-boards to the V01 bracket and securing the V02 bracket into your MKS-70, is available after purchase.

Published on
Live Forever battery mod at Plasma Music
Large capacity CR123A battery mounted off-board in a Roland MKS-70.

My Live Forever back-up battery mod isn't rocket science. It's not even particularly clever but an incredibly simple upgrade to many synthesisers, sound modules and effects processors, it does offer the following advantages:

  • Reduced risk of battery leakage.
  • Reduced risk of damage to sensitive electronics as a result of battery leakage.
  • Easier replacement of memory back-up battery.
  • Easier measurement of memory back-up battery voltage.
  • Higher capacity battery means that it'll probably outlive you!

So just about all digital equipment has some sort of mechanism to provide memory retention. Your equipment has patches, right? So those patches are 'remembered' by your gear with the use of a memory back-up battery.

Newer equipment doesn't always have a memory back-up battery. Instead, memory is held within what is known as non-volatile RAM.

Anyway, older stuff does have a memory back-up battery and if left unchecked, the results can be devastating. I recently did a post on a gorgeous Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 Rev 2 that hadn't been touched for over thirty years. Of course during that time, the back-up battery had degraded and had in fact leaked all over the CPU board. It's going to take me months to sort out the mess and that's going to be expensive!

Battery Acid Damage in Prophet 5 2 (2020.12.16)
After thirty years, this battery in a Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 is more than just flat!

My Live Forever battery mod doesn't just involved replacing the original battery with a larger type. If possible, I try to mount the holder for the new battery, usually a lithium CR123, directly on to the chassis and off any PCB. In the event that the battery does leak, then it won't damage any circuitry.

Of course mounting the new battery on to the chassis isn't always possible. The Marshall JMP-1 is a good example. There are two versions of the  JMP-1. One has a case with a little room to allow for a CR123 battery holder to be mounted to the metal. The other and more popular version doesn't. In situations where the battery can't be mounted off-PCB, I simply have to find the best place to put it.

MEMORY BACK-UP BATTERY TYPES

Most vintage equipment that uses a memory back-up battery does so with something like a CR2030, CR2032 or similar type 'coin' battery that's soldered to a PCB and located close to the RAM (memory chip). This isn't always the case, though. The Roland MKS-80 for example, used a CR-1/3N battery as pictured below.

Back-up battery in Roland MKS-80

My Live Forever battery mod involves replacing the original battery with a much higher capacity CR123 type cell which is also small enough to fit into many situations.

Supernova has on-board back-up battery for Juno-106 memory back-up
My Supernova replacement switched-mode power supply for the Roland Juno-106 comes with my Live-Forever memory battery back-up mod.

The default battery chemistry is lithium or rather lithium manganese dioxide (LiMnO2). They're cheap, readily available and very reliable.

Lithium CR123s however, aren't the only option that can be used for replacing the original memory back-up battery. While sticking with the CR123 form-factor, I'm a big fan of Lithium thionyl chloride batteries (LiSOCl2), for example. Designed specifically for very low-current, very long-life applications, they're ideal for the job. They are however, more expensive and more difficult to procure.

jhsbjshdb
On the left is a standard Duracell manganese dioxide (LiMnO2) CR123 battery. On the right is the super performance Saft Lithium thionyl chloride batteries (LiSOCl2) CR123 battery.

Finally, a long time ago, I experimented with clip-on retainers that fit over the CR123 battery holder, thereby offering more physical security to the actual battery.

Well, apart from having installed my Live Forever battery mod into countless machines over the years, all of my own gear is fitted with my mod. In over thirty years, I have NEVER experienced a battery being dislodged from the battery holder and feel that any impact that would be strong enough to do that, would most likely seriously damage the machine that it's fitted to!

The main reason I don't supply the retention clip however, is that they have a very (VERY) tight fit. I'm concerned that if the battery ever does need to be removed, damage to the unit may occur while simply trying to remove the clip! 🙁

Anyway, my Live Forever memory back-up battery mod is available for just about any synthesiser, sound module or effects processor so don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. In the meantime, if you'd like to learn more about lithium manganese dioxide and Lithium thionyl chloride batteries, please check out these links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_battery_sizes#Lithium_cells

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-volatile-memory-and-non-volatile-memory/

http://www.tadiranbat.com/compare-lithium-cells.html

 

Published on

RE-MKS-80 replacement rack-ears for Roland DDR-30 at Plasma Music

I didn't originally intend to design a pair of rack ears for the Roland DDR-30. My idea was to make a pair of rack ears just for the MKS-80. Modelled on the rack ears of my own MKS-80, Lenton Engineering in Watford, delivered yet another superb job, based on my plans.

After a little digging around however, I subsequently discovered that as well as the DDR-30, these rack ears will also fit a whole bunch of other Roland 2U modules from the same era:

  • Roland MKS-7 Super Quartet (released 1986)
  • Roland MKS-10 Planet-P piano module (released 1984)
  • Roland MKS-20 Rack mount version of the RD-1000 digital piano (released 1986)
  • Roland MKS-30 Rack-mount of the JX-3P synthesiser (released 1984)
  • Roland MKS-80 Rack mount version of something in between the Jupiter 6 and Jupiter 8 keyboard synthesisers (released 1984)*
  • Roland MKS-100 Rack mount version of the S-10 sampler (released 1986)

* If you have a MKS-80 Rev 4, then you'll only use three screws each side. Yes, that's right; Roland didn't standardise the rack case 'till the Rev 5 was released!

Please note that these rack ears are only available in black and as a pair.

RE-MKS-80 Replacement Rack Ears Fitted to Roland MKS-80
Image shows RE-MKS-80 fitted to a Roland MKS-80 as I don't have a DDR-30.

When the prototypes were ready to collect, I got a real shock. They seemed to fit better than the originals and they looked just great!

Just like the originals, these rack ears are made of aluminium, with a lovely horizontally running mill finish. Supplied with eight black countersunk pozidrive machine screws, the only thing you need to fit these, is a screwdriver! 🙂

My rack-ears have a horizontally running mill-finish, just like the originals
My rack-ears have a horizontally running mill-finish, just like the originals

Sadly, my own DDR-30 was sold many years ago and I can only model these rack ears on my own MKS-80 as pictured.

I'm now happy to announce that these rack ear kits are available to purchase.

IMPORTANT: Shipping price is for worldwide delivery. 🙂

Plasma Music Limited -

I'm deeply concerned about the environment and the exploitation of labour and so  I always use local manufacturers in preference to the Far East, with the following in mind:

  1. I can be confident that workers are treated fairly and earn a proper wage.
  2. I can be confident of the standard of quality of each item that is delivered to me.
  3. Communication is important and using local manufacturers, all correspondence is quick and understandable.
  4. I believe in supporting the local economy.
  5. I can be confident that the disposal of manufacturing waste is managed properly and in accordance with national and EU law.

Plasma Music uses local manufacturers

Using local manufacturers isn’t the cheapest option but the above points are important to me. I hope that they’re important to you too.

Published on

RE-MKS-80 replacement rack-ears for Roland MKS-10 at Plasma Music

I didn't originally intend to design a pair of rack ears for the Roland MKS-10. My idea was to make a pair of rack ears just for the MKS-80. Modelled on the rack ears of my own MKS-80, Lenton Engineering in Watford, delivered yet another superb job, based on my plans.

After a little digging around however, I subsequently discovered that as well as the MKS-10, these rack ears will also fit a whole bunch of other Roland 2U modules from the same era:

    • Roland MKS-7 Super Quartet (released 1986)
    • Roland MKS-20 Rack mount version of the RD-1000 digital piano (released 1986)
    • Roland MKS-30 Rack-mount of the JX-3P synthesiser (released 1984)
    • Roland MKS-80 Rack mount version of something in between the Jupiter 6 and Jupiter 8 keyboard synthesisers (released 1984)*
    • Roland MKS-100 Rack mount version of the S-10 sampler (released 1986)
    • Roland DDR-30 Electronic drum module (released 1985)

* If you have a MKS-80 Rev 4, then you'll only use three screws each side. Yes, that's right; Roland didn't standardise the rack case 'till the Rev 5 was released!

Please note that these rack ears are only available in black and as a pair.

RE-MKS-80 Replacement Rack Ears Fitted to Roland MKS-80
Image shows RE-MKS-80 fitted to a Roland MKS-80 as I don't have a MKS-10.

When the prototypes were ready to collect, I got a real shock. They seemed to fit better than the originals and they looked just great!

Just like the originals, these rack ears are made of aluminium, with a lovely horizontally running mill finish. Supplied with eight black countersunk pozidrive machine screws, the only thing you need to fit these, is a screwdriver! 🙂

My rack-ears have a horizontally running mill-finish, just like the originals
My rack-ears have a horizontally running mill-finish, just like the originals

Unfortunately, I don’t have a Roland MKS-10 and so the rack ears are shown attached to my own MKS-80.

I'm now happy to announce that these rack ear kits are available to purchase.

IMPORTANT: Shipping price is for worldwide delivery. 🙂

Plasma Music Limited -

I'm deeply concerned about the environment and the exploitation of labour and so  I always use local manufacturers in preference to the Far East, with the following in mind:

  1. I can be confident that workers are treated fairly and earn a proper wage.
  2. I can be confident of the standard of quality of each item that is delivered to me.
  3. Communication is important and using local manufacturers, all correspondence is quick and understandable.
  4. I believe in supporting the local economy.
  5. I can be confident that the disposal of manufacturing waste is managed properly and in accordance with national and EU law.

Plasma Music uses local manufacturers

Using local manufacturers isn’t the cheapest option but the above points are important to me. I hope that they’re important to you too.

Published on

RE-MKS-80 replacement rack-ears for Roland MKS-100 at Plasma Music

I didn’t originally intend to design a pair of rack ears for the Roland MKS-100. My idea was to make a pair of rack ears just for the MKS-80. Modelled on the rack ears of my own MKS-80, Lenton Engineering in Watford, delivered yet another superb job, based on my plans.

After a little digging around however, I subsequently discovered that as well as the MKS-100, these rack ears will also fit a whole bunch of other Roland 2U modules from the same era:

  • Roland MKS-7 Super Quartet (released 1986)
  • Roland MKS-10 Planet-P piano module (released 1984)
  • Roland MKS-20 Rack mount version of the RD-1000 digital piano (released 1986)
  • Roland MKS-30 Rack-mount of the JX-3P synthesiser (released 1984)
  • Roland MKS-80 Rack mount version of something in between the Jupiter 6 and Jupiter 8 keyboard synthesisers (released 1984)*
  • Roland DDR-30 Electronic drum module (released 1985)

* If you have a MKS-80 Rev 4, then you'll only use three screws each side. Yes, that's right; Roland didn't standardise the rack case 'till the Rev 5 was released!

Please note that these rack ears are only available in black and as a pair.

Image shows RE-MKS-80 fitted to a Roland MKS-80 as I don't have a MKS-100.
Image shows RE-MKS-80 fitted to a Roland MKS-80 as I don't have a MKS-100.

When the prototypes were ready to collect, I got a real shock. They seemed to fit better than the originals and they looked just great!

Just like the originals, these rack ears are made of aluminium, with a lovely horizontally running mill finish. Supplied with eight black countersunk pozidrive machine screws, the only thing you need to fit these, is a screwdriver! 🙂

My rack-ears have a horizontally running mill-finish, just like the originals
My rack-ears have a horizontally running mill-finish, just like the originals

Unfortunately, I don’t have a Roland MKS-100 and so the rack ears are shown attached to my own MKS-80.

I'm now happy to announce that these rack ear kits are available to purchase.

IMPORTANT: Shipping price is for worldwide delivery. 🙂

Plasma Music Limited -

I'm deeply concerned about the environment and the exploitation of labour and so  I always use local manufacturers in preference to the Far East, with the following in mind:

  1. I can be confident that workers are treated fairly and earn a proper wage.
  2. I can be confident of the standard of quality of each item that is delivered to me.
  3. Communication is important and using local manufacturers, all correspondence is quick and understandable.
  4. I believe in supporting the local economy.
  5. I can be confident that the disposal of manufacturing waste is managed properly and in accordance with national and EU law.

Plasma Music uses local manufacturers

Using local manufacturers isn’t the cheapest option but the above points are important to me. I hope that they’re important to you too.

Published on

RE-MKS-80 replacement rack-ears for Roland MKS-30 at Plasma Music

I didn’t originally intend to design a pair of rack ears for the Roland MKS-30. My idea was to make a pair of rack ears just for the MKS-80. Modelled on the rack ears of my own MKS-80, Lenton Engineering in Watford, delivered yet another superb job, based on my plans.

After a little digging around however, I subsequently discovered that as well as the MKS-30, these rack ears will also fit a whole bunch of other Roland 2U modules from the same era:

  • Roland MKS-7 Super Quartet (released 1986)
  • Roland MKS-10 Planet-P piano module (released 1984)
  • Roland MKS-20 Rack mount version of the RD-1000 digital piano (released 1986)
  • Roland MKS-80 Rack mount version of something in between the Jupiter 6 and Jupiter 8 keyboard synthesisers (released 1984)*
  • Roland MKS-100 Rack mount version of the S-10 sampler (released 1986)
  • Roland DDR-30 Electronic drum module (released 1985)

* If you have a MKS-80 Rev 4, then you'll only use three screws each side. Yes, that's right; Roland didn't standardise the rack case 'till the Rev 5 was released!

Please note that these rack ears are only available in black and as a pair.

RE-MKS-80 Replacement Rack Ears Fitted to Roland MKS-80
Image shows RE-MKS-80 fitted to a Roland MKS-80 as I don't have a MKS-30.

When the prototypes were ready to collect, I got a real shock. They seemed to fit better than the originals and they looked just great!

Just like the originals, these rack ears are made of aluminium, with a lovely horizontally running mill finish. Supplied with eight black countersunk pozidrive machine screws, the only thing you need to fit these, is a screwdriver! 🙂

My rack-ears have a horizontally running mill-finish, just like the originals
My rack-ears have a horizontally running mill-finish, just like the originals

Unfortunately, I don’t have a Roland MKS-30 and so the rack ears are shown attached to my own MKS-80.

I'm now happy to announce that these rack ear kits are available to purchase.

IMPORTANT: Shipping price is for worldwide delivery. 🙂

Plasma Music Limited -

I'm deeply concerned about the environment and the exploitation of labour and so  I always use local manufacturers in preference to the Far East, with the following in mind:

  1. I can be confident that workers are treated fairly and earn a proper wage.
  2. I can be confident of the standard of quality of each item that is delivered to me.
  3. Communication is important and using local manufacturers, all correspondence is quick and understandable.
  4. I believe in supporting the local economy.
  5. I can be confident that the disposal of manufacturing waste is managed properly and in accordance with national and EU law.

Plasma Music uses local manufacturers

Using local manufacturers isn’t the cheapest option but the above points are important to me. I hope that they’re important to you too.

Published on

RE-MKS-80 replacement rack-ears for Roland MKS-20 at Plasma Music

I didn’t originally intend to design a pair of rack ears for the Roland MKS-20. My idea was to make a pair of rack ears just for the MKS-80. Modelled on the rack ears of my own MKS-80, Lenton Engineering in Watford, delivered yet another superb job, based on my plans.

After a little digging around however, I subsequently discovered that as well as the MKS-20, these rack ears will also fit a whole bunch of other Roland 2U modules from the same era:

  • Roland MKS-7 Super Quartet (released 1986)
  • Roland MKS-10 Planet-P piano module (released 1984)
  • Roland MKS-30 Rack-mount of the JX-3P synthesiser (released 1984)
  • Roland MKS-80 Rack mount version of something in between the Jupiter 6 and Jupiter 8 keyboard synthesisers (released 1984)*
  • Roland MKS-100 Rack mount version of the S-10 sampler (released 1986)
  • Roland DDR-30 Electronic drum module (released 1985)

* If you have a MKS-80 Rev 4, then you'll only use three screws each side. Yes, that's right; Roland didn't standardise the rack case 'till the Rev 5 was released!

Please note that these rack ears are only available in black and as a pair.

RE-MKS-80 Replacement Rack Ears Fitted to Roland MKS-80
Image shows RE-MKS-80 fitted to a Roland MKS-80 as I don't have a MKS-20.

When the prototypes were ready to collect, I got a real shock. They seemed to fit better than the originals and they looked just great!

Just like the originals, these rack ears are made of aluminium, with a lovely horizontally running mill finish. Supplied with eight black countersunk pozidrive machine screws, the only thing you need to fit these, is a screwdriver! 🙂

My rack-ears have a horizontally running mill-finish, just like the originals

My rack-ears have a horizontally running mill-finish, just like the originalsUnfortunately, I don’t have a Roland MKS-20 and so the rack ears are shown attached to my own MKS-80.

I'm now happy to announce that these rack ear kits are available to purchase.

IMPORTANT: Shipping price is for worldwide delivery. 🙂

Plasma Music Limited -

I'm deeply concerned about the environment and the exploitation of labour and so  I always use local manufacturers in preference to the Far East, with the following in mind:

  1. I can be confident that workers are treated fairly and earn a proper wage.
  2. I can be confident of the standard of quality of each item that is delivered to me.
  3. Communication is important and using local manufacturers, all correspondence is quick and understandable.
  4. I believe in supporting the local economy.
  5. I can be confident that the disposal of manufacturing waste is managed properly and in accordance with national and EU law.

Plasma Music uses local manufacturers

Using local manufacturers isn’t the cheapest option but the above points are important to me. I hope that they’re important to you too.

Published on

RE-MKS-80 replacement rack-ears for Roland MKS-7 at Plasma Music

I didn't originally intend to design a pair of rack ears for the Roland MKS-7. My idea was to make a pair of rack ears just for the MKS-80. Modelled on the rack ears of my own MKS-80, Lenton Engineering in Watford, delivered yet another superb job, based on my plans.

After a little digging around however, I subsequently discovered that as well as the MKS-7, these rack ears will also fit a whole bunch of other Roland 2U modules from the same era:

  • Roland MKS-10 Planet-P piano module (released 1984)
  • Roland MKS-20 Rack mount version of the RD-1000 digital piano (released 1986)
  • Roland MKS-30 Rack-mount of the JX-3P synthesiser (released 1984)
  • Roland MKS-80 Rack mount version of something in between the Jupiter 6 and Jupiter 8 keyboard synthesisers (released 1984)*
  • Roland MKS-100 Rack mount version of the S-10 sampler (released 1986)
  • Roland DDR-30 Electronic drum module (released 1985)

* If you have a MKS-80 Rev 4, then you'll only use three screws each side. Yes, that's right; Roland didn't standardise the rack case 'till the Rev 5 was released!

Please note that these rack ears are only available in black and as a pair.

RE-MKS-80 Replacement Rack Ears Fitted to Roland MKS-80
Image shows RE-MKS-80 fitted to a Roland MKS-80 as I don't have a MKS-7.

When the prototypes were ready to collect, I got a real shock. They seemed to fit better than the originals and they looked just great!

Just like the originals, these rack ears are made of aluminium, with a lovely horizontally running mill finish. Supplied with eight black countersunk pozidrive machine screws, the only thing you need to fit these, is a screwdriver! 🙂

My rack-ears have a horizontally running mill-finish, just like the originals
My rack-ears have a horizontally running mill-finish, just like the originals

Sadly, my own MKS-7 was sold many years ago and I can only model these rack ears on my own MKS-80 as pictured.

I'm now happy to announce that these rack ear kits are available to purchase.

IMPORTANT: Shipping price is for worldwide delivery. 🙂

Plasma Music Limited -

I'm deeply concerned about the environment and the exploitation of labour and so  I always use local manufacturers in preference to the Far East, with the following in mind:

  1. I can be confident that workers are treated fairly and earn a proper wage.
  2. I can be confident of the standard of quality of each item that is delivered to me.
  3. Communication is important and using local manufacturers, all correspondence is quick and understandable.
  4. I believe in supporting the local economy.
  5. I can be confident that the disposal of manufacturing waste is managed properly and in accordance with national and EU law.

Plasma Music uses local manufacturers

Using local manufacturers isn’t the cheapest option but the above points are important to me. I hope that they’re important to you too.