Casio CZ/ VZ/ FZ - Pro Series

Well, when I use the card in my PG380 synth guitar, there are 3 banks available - the guitar's internal bank (64 sounds), then 2 more, each with 64 sounds (total 128 sounds, or 192 sounds including the guitar's bank), added by insertion of the card. You select the different banks with a bank button on the guitar, which toggles through the 3 banks. I also have 2 ROM cards as well and they both add 2 banks to the in-built bank, like the RAM card, so it's the same as them.

Capacity - according to the chips datasheet its a 256k memory chip (32k x 8 bit). I think the RA100 is a 128k.

RAM card from Germany?? Missed that one, damn! I did however just get one from the UK - it's on its way now - but if any others apppear I'm going to get them also, in case this card ever dies. These cards are not so important for the VZ (has its own user memories) but are essential for the PG guitars (no user memories, playback module only).

Modifying other cards - I have looked into this - it is technically feasable, but physically difficult to do - you have to have the card small enough/thin enough to fit into the VZ slot. No other brand card fits the connector (single row of connectors, 40 pins), so your only hope is to get a Casio ROM card and rip it apart for the sake of the connector. And for me, then also get it to fit into the PG380 card bay. Possible, but a real pain in the neck to do - quicker to wait for one to appear on ebay. I have my old dead RA500 card sitting here (the reason I need a new one) and I cut it open to see - simple enough inside. All surface mount chips though (2 of them). If I get absolutely desperate/excess of boredom I'll try replacing the chips sometime.

Cheers, Graham



--- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "k9k9dog" <domgoold@...> wrote:
>
> ok, so according to the manual the ra500 offers 64 presets, 
> eg ONE bank(not 2). it is the ROM card that has 2 banks ( i 
> had this but no use to me so sold with last vz8m).
> however RA500 DOES say 'card1'. maybe you can name them when 
> you format, i never did a format. but if anyone has any tips 
> or infos...
> hope it was you that managed to grab the ra500 that was on sale 
> in germany recently ;) (was gone when i asked about it)
> 
> how about modifying a general purpose sdram card? i have 2 
> panasonic 64kb pcm type memory card here, with a double row of 
> connectors. don't know what to do with them, or what they are for.
> 
> --- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "k9k9dog" <domgoold@> wrote:
> >
> > the RA500 has TWO banks? how do you access the 2nd bank?
> > when i hit 'Bank' i get 'Card1' (others are pst1/pst2/int).
> > any idea what the actual memory capacity in KB is for these 
> > cards(ra100+ra500)?
> > 
> > --- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "Graham" <gmeredith1@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Has anyone tried this? These cards were meant for the HT series keyboards but has anyone tried them in the VZ-1/8M/10M as an alternative to the RA-500 RAM card? I ask this as i'm looking for an RA-500 or an alternative right now. I think the RA-100 only has 64 memories (1 bank) as opposed to the RA500 with 128 (2 banks).
> > > 
> > > Or has anyone got an RA500 for sale??
> > > 
> > > Cheers, Graham
> > >
> >
>