Audio Damage NRST Powerup Fix Board

Background / Step by Step Instructions

The now long-out-of-production Audio Damage ADM17 Proton is one of the best Karplus Strong synth voices available. However, in common with a few earlier SMT32-based modules its particular chipset had an 'on-die bug' which caused the MCU to go into failure mode if its +12v, -12v and +5v lines were not absolutely at full charge at the instant the power was delivered.

Many users therefore find their Proton fails to power up over half the time and have to resort to multiple power-cycles or re-plugging the live module. Obviously this is frustrating and risks damage to the module or case. 

The problem is not fixable by any firmware update but the introduction of this tiny board completely solves the issue.

Installation

1) Unplug your Audio Damage module and turn it on its side from the back so "AUDIODAMAGE MADE IN THE USA", faces the right way up.  Identify the 6 gold programming terminals immediately above this, labeled "H101" and note that the left-most gold hole is square. 

2) Compare this with the legs on the WMD power fix board. Viewed from above, with the legs pointing away from you and in a row along the top of the board, the left-most leg attachment also has square connection.

3) Offer up and then insert the WMD board legs through the holes on the Proton board in this orientation.

4) Holding the WMD board in place, turn both of them over so the WMD legs are now pointing upwards through the holes. You will need to find something to prop up the WMD board from underneath.

5) Solder the legs in place.

Big thanks to Phin Head for writing this copy and Matt Ward for the step by step photos.