Microkorg+DS-1 Mod help

[Sedrikk1250]

So I really don't like the distortion on the microkorg but I hooked up my DS-1 to it and I really liked the sound and modeling options like tone and such I have on it. What I'm thinking is putting the ds-1 inside the microkorg and using it that way. What I basically want to do it have the DS-1 right before the output of the korg as if it was chained normally (just inside). my other problem is the switch, I have room for the 3 pots, which I will put above the mod and pitch wheels, but I can't find room for an on/off switch. I want the whole operation clean and neat as if it was done by korg. so to recap:

1) how do I solder the DS-1 into the korg so that the mono/l&r/headphone jacks still work (as if when I plug an audio cord in, the ds-1 isn't affecting anything until I activate it.) I want the distortion circuit last in line before output.

2) are there any extremely small on/off switches I can use to activate distortion, and where would be a cnvineant place to put it?

3)Can I use the on/off for distortion in the microkorg and just re-route it to the ds-1 circuit and control the distortion like normal?

Thanks guys!

my idea...

[MaxStatic]

Call me a humbug but if you want it clean, you would be better off just running the pedal after the synth. Me thinks that mod might get gnarly fast and not lead to decent results.

I use the same pedal as an effect in my mixer so I can use it on everything.

[Alan Waddington]

You could disconnect the Left microkorg output Jack and route the signal via the DS-1 circuit, wiring the DS-1 output back to the microkorg Jack. However this wouldn't give distortion on the right channel (The DS is a mono device). Nor would it give a headphone output. Fixing those would require a doubling up of the DS-1 circuit (which would cause difficulties for controlling with a single set of pots). Also, to get the headphone output you need to add a stereo buffer amplifier with (say) 32ohms out.

From wikipedia

The DS-1 has a very simple circuit, based on a single op-amp. The distortion is produced using a variable gain circuit with diodes shorting the output to ground to produce hard clipping of the input waveform similar to the Pro Co RAT distortion pedal. This distortion stage is followed by a passive tone filter and volume control. The tone control is scooped in the midrange. It consists of a simple fixed -6dB/okt low pass filter and a simple fixed -6dB/okt high pass filter using a potentiometer to mix the two signals.

I think you could get close by adjusting the microkorg mixer levels, turning on amplifier distortion and adjusting the equaliser settings. The weak point here is probably the equaliser as there are only two frequencies. The other problem is how to turn the effect on and off.

Alternatively design your own stereo distortion unit loosely based on the DS-1 design; possibly use dual pots for the controls. Add an extra audio amp chip to the design to drive the headphone output.