{"id":4887,"date":"2024-10-10T18:15:40","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T18:15:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maffez.com\/?page_id=4887"},"modified":"2026-04-24T17:16:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T17:16:28","slug":"behringer-ms5-teardown","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/maffez.com\/?page_id=4887","title":{"rendered":"Behringer MS5 teardown & modifications"},"content":{"rendered":"
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https:\/\/www.synthxl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Roland-sh-5-service-notes.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.sequencer.de\/synthesizer\/threads\/roland-sh-5-und-aehnliche-modifikationen.170760<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/modwiggler.com\/forum\/viewtopic.php?p=4256398<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The What?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is how the MS5 (modded) can sound…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teardown<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See also here: https:\/\/imgur.com\/a\/xnSjJjT<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notable differences to SH-5\/first impressions: instead of Programmable Unijunction Transistors in LFO1 and ADSR, there are simple added transistors (see markings below); at front of AR and Fixed Envelope (I wrongly wrote “Gate” sometimes in the pics) there is a comparator IC we don’t find in the SH-5. Yet, the setup is not quite well chosen in terms of extreme level differences between ADSR, AR and Fixed Envelope (which could have been adjusted quite easily). Portamento, transpose and tune knob (on the left hand controller) are digital and partly wonky). Removing the LHC prevents you fron playing the SH per midi, but you can still use it as a CV-Gate-Driven Module, which is what I am going for. The headphones amp bites your ears off above 5% fader travel.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Modifications<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will document more in the coming weeks, but here are some for starters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CV points<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Linear FM<\/strong>: use an input socket, then go 100nf capacitor and 150k resistor in series. Connect the resistor to IC201, PIN2<\/strong> for VCO1 LFM and\/or IC37, PIN2 <\/strong>for VCO2 LFM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VCO outputs<\/strong>: via 1k resistor to selected wave rotary switch pin. The “selected wave” pin of your rotary switch is here: look at the wave select switch, which is diagonal. Right hand side uppermost pin is the selected wave. You can also tap SAW and TRI individually, but the VCO setup is such that you don’t get square\/PW unless that is the selected waveform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PWM inputs<\/strong>: connect input sockets via 100k resistors to the following points (there are through vias on the back of the PCB, which might be easier to solder onto: VCO1 terminal of R411 that faces away from IC201; VCO2 terminal of R402 that faces away from IC37.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutoff Control CV (multi VCF)<\/strong>: input socket via 100k reistor to IC15, PIN6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VCA CV<\/strong>: input socket via 150k resistor to IC 10, PIN6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LFO MODIFICATIONS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

LFO1 RESET ON GATE ON deactivated<\/strong>: you can make LFO1 free running by pulling the base of T63 to ground. If you want to be able to alternate between reset\/free running, use a SPDT switch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n