Vox Jaguar MIDI kit retrofit installation manual Vitalka Custom Rev 1
This retrofit only for key triggering through MIDI. Note ON, OFF only.
Welcome to the metric system zone. Here we work with precision things and all dimensions are metric. 1" = 25.4mm.
Read this manual with attention and better if all operations with drilling holes will be after pre-testing functions and noise level.
Installation:
To your good usability select the friendly place to mount the LED, MIDI connector, button and PCB.
Drill all holes that required and mount connector, LED and button before soldering wires.
Cause Jaguar all wooden, it can be a bit difficult to place MIDI jack and learn button. This is most DIY part of this manual. You can build new panel that will fit all old and new parts or reorganize old back panel.
Alternative option is install MIDI connector on front aluminum panel. Drill wood and install connector directly in hole and fix it with epoxy resin. Same with LEARN button and LED indicator.
Of course you can skip it or and place it inside, just set prefer channel once and don't worry about it in future.
Remove the ground bus or isolate her from key contacts (with tape for example). It is important to allow switching keys from the MIDI interface. It can create more humming chaos tone noise after.
Drill dimensions:
MIDI jack (DIN5) = 18mm.
LED holder = 6mm.
Push button = 12.5-13mm.
Be careful with drilling hole for button, it have so small range to get hole too big.
Board dimensions and distance between screws:
Board dimensions 113x57mm. Height 14mm with inserted connectors.
Holes diameter 3.5mm.
Holes distance 102x48mm.
Do not allow the board to bend, it can break the board.
All ribbon cables are 90cm. long, enough for placing all connections and you can cut extra length.
Panic button is not included in the kit. In case of panic - enough turn off and turn on the synth. If you prefer to install it part number is E-Switch RP3502MABLK
This picture shown:
First (1) pin/wire on all connectors. First wire will be start from this side.
J1, J2 Should be open, they are divide common rail on this board.
The next picture shows the pinout for X6 connector ribbon cable and pin number of wires:
Same you can see on bottom side of PCB for more convenience.
(7) V+ should be soldered to any +15V point, (8) GND to any ground. Better if at power supply
So, now time to soldering key contact wires: All next connectors should be soldered to each key contact.
Isolate key contact from the ground bus, or remove. If don't do it - MIDI will not work.
Here is detailed info based on the schematic ZOOM
At this point your brain can blow. Let me explain:
Find key contact spring for Walking BASS note (C) on the first octave and solder wires from the YELLOW connector. Starting from wire 12. When you finish it, your last wire will be 1 and note (B) on this octave. Walking BASS contacts is located on back plan and these contacts is switching contacts. See algorithm example
For BASS octave and others is much simple.
Repeat it for other octaves with same sequence.
On octave 5 RED Solder wire 14 to key contact rail. Wire 13 to last key C (Do). Skip else wires that marked on table "skip".
Almost done.
One small important thing - use hot glue to fix inserted connectors to protect from disconnecting them during vibration when you ride on tour. Also fix wires strong. Do not leave them holding only on soldering joints.
Process for set MIDI channel: User operations
Stop all MIDI traffic.
To teach with which MIDI channel synth will work - push the black button (LEARN) LED will blink two times and stay ON to wait for MIDI messages at one of 16 channels. He will in OMNY mode.
Send any note on the MIDI channel which you want for this synth.
When the synth receives MIDI messages, LED will blink five times and turn OFF. It indicates that channel was received and saved. Then will ON with every NOTE ON messages on the selected channel.
Now the channel saved to memory and will never change before you push LEARN button again and starts settings process again.