The Parastream RP-SM304A is a replacement part for the Siemens SM304A integrated
circuit used in the Korg BX-3 and CX-3 combo organs, circa 1980. The Siemens SM304A
is a keyboard encoder that converts 32 parallel keyboard inputs into a serial stream.
These original Siemens parts were very difficult to find.
The RP-SM304A is a small printed circuit board that plugs directly into the 40-pin
socket of the BX-3/CX-3 KLM-244 board. It utilizes surface-mount CMOS technology
to realize its small size and low power consumption.
The Korg CX-3 uses two SM304A parts on one KLM-244 board. The BX-3 uses four SM304A
parts on two KLM-244 boards. An adapter socket (23-00040615) is included with each
RP-SM304A to facilitate mounting of the RP-SM304A in some circuit boards.
The Parastream RP-SM304A is categorized as “Spare parts for equipment in service,”
and is exempt from the RoHS (Lead-free) directive. The Parastream RP-SM304A is
manufactured using non-RoHS compliant components and solder.
These parts are out of stock and we do not have plans to replace our inventory in the near future.
Please order the original Siemens SM304A IC as an alternative.