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CZ-1 programming interface

CZ-1 programming interface

2008-01-24 by jdcx64

I have both a CZ-1 and a JX-8P+PG800
The Roland is well built, it is easy to program and makes interesting
sounds, but I like the Casio even better.
The thing I don't like about the Casio is the programming interface.
The direct key for every setting is a good approach but the page
up/down cursor left/right system forces me to keep looking at the LCD
screen and spoils my mood. The value up/down keys are also not practical.

A small change to the CZ1 firmware could improve this:

- the modulation wheel could be used for parameter input

- the 8 black panel keys could be relabeled and used for direct
parameter selection,
  no more page up/down cursor left/right value+/- sus/end keys
  a first 1-8 key press to select parameters 1a-8a
  [a second 1-8 key press to select parameters 1b-8b]
  [a third 1-8 key press to select parameters 1c-8c]

example:

Changing DCW1 envelope curves:
1. press the DCW1ENV key

2. press panel key 1 for rate1; roll the wheel
3. press panel key 1 for level1; roll the wheel
[4. press panel key 1 for ***/sus/end1; roll the wheel]

5. press panel key N for rateN; roll the wheel
6. press panel key N for levelN; roll the wheel
[7. press panel key N for ***/sus/endN; roll the wheel]

This would allow me to play with sounds without even looking at the
screen.


I've been an assembly language programmer for many years and this
small change to the CZ-1 firmware is within my capabilities.
Does anyone know of disassembler/assembler tools for the NEC 87AD
series microcontrollers? Is a dump of the CZ1 ROM available?

Best regards,
Joaquim Carvalho

Re: CZ-1 programming interface

2008-01-28 by Fulfil Objective

Joaquim,

I don't think I've seen a dump of the CZ-1 ROM anywhere in all my
hunting around the web.

Your idea for reprogramming the mod wheel is interesting, although it
sounds a little intimidating to me.

If programming the envelopes (etc.) is the problem, maybe an easier
answer would be to use a higher level programming language to make a
nice application for a computer? It's so easy to interface the CZ-1
with a computer, and it has a decent set of sysex commands.  You could
have the whole computer screen to create your sounds, all the settings
at once, and not even use the little LCD.  I guess that wouldn't be as
good if what you're looking for is real-time or performance control. 
But it would be good if all you need is better programming
capabilities.  And it wouldn't require disassembling, flashing ROMs, etc.


--- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "jdcx64" <jdcx64@...> wrote:
>
> I have both a CZ-1 and a JX-8P+PG800
> The Roland is well built, it is easy to program and makes interesting
> sounds, but I like the Casio even better.
> The thing I don't like about the Casio is the programming interface.
> The direct key for every setting is a good approach but the page
> up/down cursor left/right system forces me to keep looking at the LCD
> screen and spoils my mood. The value up/down keys are also not
practical.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> 
> A small change to the CZ1 firmware could improve this:
> 
> - the modulation wheel could be used for parameter input
> 
> - the 8 black panel keys could be relabeled and used for direct
> parameter selection,
>   no more page up/down cursor left/right value+/- sus/end keys
>   a first 1-8 key press to select parameters 1a-8a
>   [a second 1-8 key press to select parameters 1b-8b]
>   [a third 1-8 key press to select parameters 1c-8c]
> 
> example:
> 
> Changing DCW1 envelope curves:
> 1. press the DCW1ENV key
> 
> 2. press panel key 1 for rate1; roll the wheel
> 3. press panel key 1 for level1; roll the wheel
> [4. press panel key 1 for ***/sus/end1; roll the wheel]
> 
> 5. press panel key N for rateN; roll the wheel
> 6. press panel key N for levelN; roll the wheel
> [7. press panel key N for ***/sus/endN; roll the wheel]
> 
> This would allow me to play with sounds without even looking at the
> screen.
> 
> 
> I've been an assembly language programmer for many years and this
> small change to the CZ-1 firmware is within my capabilities.
> Does anyone know of disassembler/assembler tools for the NEC 87AD
> series microcontrollers? Is a dump of the CZ1 ROM available?
> 
> Best regards,
> Joaquim Carvalho
>

Re: [CZsynth] Re: CZ-1 programming interface

2008-01-28 by Atom Smasher

On Mon, 28 Jan 2008, Fulfil Objective wrote:

> If programming the envelopes (etc.) is the problem, maybe an easier 
> answer would be to use a higher level programming language to make a 
> nice application for a computer? It's so easy to interface the CZ-1 with 
> a computer, and it has a decent set of sysex commands.  You could have 
> the whole computer screen to create your sounds, all the settings at 
> once, and not even use the little LCD.  I guess that wouldn't be as good 
> if what you're looking for is real-time or performance control. But it 
> would be good if all you need is better programming capabilities.  And 
> it wouldn't require disassembling, flashing ROMs, etc.
=================

or better yet (for me, anyway) would be if you could do this in hardware 
and put it in a 1U or 1/2U case ;)


-- 
         ...atom

  ________________________
  http://atom.smasher.org/
  762A 3B98 A3C3 96C9 C6B7 582A B88D 52E4 D9F5 7808
  -------------------------------------------------

 	"A farmer's duty, is protecting the earth, maintaining
 	 it's fertility, and maintaining the fertility of seed.
 	 That is part of being a farmer. A farmer is not a
 	 low-paid tractor driver, that's a modern definition of
 	 what a farmer is. The real definition of a farmer is a
 	 person who relates to the land and relates to the seed
 	 and keeps it for future generations, keeps renewing
 	 it, fertility."
 		-- Dr. Vandana Shiva

Re: CZ-1 programming interface

2008-01-28 by jdcx64

...for me the fun thing is real-time programming with immediate sound
response.
The problem with the computer+midi sysex approach is that uploading a
patch to the CZ1 via midi takes almost 1 second.

--- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "Fulfil Objective" <kasploosh@...> wrote:
>
> Joaquim,
> 
> I don't think I've seen a dump of the CZ-1 ROM anywhere in all my
> hunting around the web.
> 
> Your idea for reprogramming the mod wheel is interesting, although it
> sounds a little intimidating to me.
> 
> If programming the envelopes (etc.) is the problem, maybe an easier
> answer would be to use a higher level programming language to make a
> nice application for a computer? It's so easy to interface the CZ-1
> with a computer, and it has a decent set of sysex commands.  You could
> have the whole computer screen to create your sounds, all the settings
> at once, and not even use the little LCD.  I guess that wouldn't be as
> good if what you're looking for is real-time or performance control. 
> But it would be good if all you need is better programming
> capabilities.  And it wouldn't require disassembling, flashing ROMs,
etc.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> 
> 
> --- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "jdcx64" <jdcx64@> wrote:
> >
> > I have both a CZ-1 and a JX-8P+PG800
> > The Roland is well built, it is easy to program and makes interesting
> > sounds, but I like the Casio even better.
> > The thing I don't like about the Casio is the programming interface.
> > The direct key for every setting is a good approach but the page
> > up/down cursor left/right system forces me to keep looking at the LCD
> > screen and spoils my mood. The value up/down keys are also not
> practical.
> > 
> > A small change to the CZ1 firmware could improve this:
> > 
> > - the modulation wheel could be used for parameter input
> > 
> > - the 8 black panel keys could be relabeled and used for direct
> > parameter selection,
> >   no more page up/down cursor left/right value+/- sus/end keys
> >   a first 1-8 key press to select parameters 1a-8a
> >   [a second 1-8 key press to select parameters 1b-8b]
> >   [a third 1-8 key press to select parameters 1c-8c]
> > 
> > example:
> > 
> > Changing DCW1 envelope curves:
> > 1. press the DCW1ENV key
> > 
> > 2. press panel key 1 for rate1; roll the wheel
> > 3. press panel key 1 for level1; roll the wheel
> > [4. press panel key 1 for ***/sus/end1; roll the wheel]
> > 
> > 5. press panel key N for rateN; roll the wheel
> > 6. press panel key N for levelN; roll the wheel
> > [7. press panel key N for ***/sus/endN; roll the wheel]
> > 
> > This would allow me to play with sounds without even looking at the
> > screen.
> > 
> > 
> > I've been an assembly language programmer for many years and this
> > small change to the CZ-1 firmware is within my capabilities.
> > Does anyone know of disassembler/assembler tools for the NEC 87AD
> > series microcontrollers? Is a dump of the CZ1 ROM available?
> > 
> > Best regards,
> > Joaquim Carvalho
> >
>

Re: CZ-1 programming interface

2008-02-01 by gmeredith1

I'm wanting to do the same thing, both for my CZ101 and also my 
VZ10M. Surely someone out there is using one of those assignable 
keyboard controllers to do this? Since reading this thread it has 
just dawned on me that my Korg MicroKontrol may be just the thing 
(well, Duh!!) so I might see if I can figure out how to assign all 
the controls (32 of them!!) on the Korg to all the parameters on the 
CZ/VZ. I can then save it in the Korg as a preset.

Cheers, graham


--- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "jdcx64" <jdcx64@...> wrote:
>
> ...for me the fun thing is real-time programming with immediate 
sound
> response.
> The problem with the computer+midi sysex approach is that uploading 
a
> patch to the CZ1 via midi takes almost 1 second.
> 
> --- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "Fulfil Objective" <kasploosh@> 
wrote:
> >
> > Joaquim,
> > 
> > I don't think I've seen a dump of the CZ-1 ROM anywhere in all my
> > hunting around the web.
> > 
> > Your idea for reprogramming the mod wheel is interesting, 
although it
> > sounds a little intimidating to me.
> > 
> > If programming the envelopes (etc.) is the problem, maybe an 
easier
> > answer would be to use a higher level programming language to 
make a
> > nice application for a computer? It's so easy to interface the CZ-
1
> > with a computer, and it has a decent set of sysex commands.  You 
could
> > have the whole computer screen to create your sounds, all the 
settings
> > at once, and not even use the little LCD.  I guess that wouldn't 
be as
> > good if what you're looking for is real-time or performance 
control. 
> > But it would be good if all you need is better programming
> > capabilities.  And it wouldn't require disassembling, flashing 
ROMs,
> etc.
> > 
> > 
> > --- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "jdcx64" <jdcx64@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I have both a CZ-1 and a JX-8P+PG800
> > > The Roland is well built, it is easy to program and makes 
interesting
> > > sounds, but I like the Casio even better.
> > > The thing I don't like about the Casio is the programming 
interface.
> > > The direct key for every setting is a good approach but the page
> > > up/down cursor left/right system forces me to keep looking at 
the LCD
> > > screen and spoils my mood. The value up/down keys are also not
> > practical.
> > > 
> > > A small change to the CZ1 firmware could improve this:
> > > 
> > > - the modulation wheel could be used for parameter input
> > > 
> > > - the 8 black panel keys could be relabeled and used for direct
> > > parameter selection,
> > >   no more page up/down cursor left/right value+/- sus/end keys
> > >   a first 1-8 key press to select parameters 1a-8a
> > >   [a second 1-8 key press to select parameters 1b-8b]
> > >   [a third 1-8 key press to select parameters 1c-8c]
> > > 
> > > example:
> > > 
> > > Changing DCW1 envelope curves:
> > > 1. press the DCW1ENV key
> > > 
> > > 2. press panel key 1 for rate1; roll the wheel
> > > 3. press panel key 1 for level1; roll the wheel
> > > [4. press panel key 1 for ***/sus/end1; roll the wheel]
> > > 
> > > 5. press panel key N for rateN; roll the wheel
> > > 6. press panel key N for levelN; roll the wheel
> > > [7. press panel key N for ***/sus/endN; roll the wheel]
> > > 
> > > This would allow me to play with sounds without even looking at 
the
> > > screen.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > I've been an assembly language programmer for many years and 
this
> > > small change to the CZ-1 firmware is within my capabilities.
> > > Does anyone know of disassembler/assembler tools for the NEC 
87AD
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> > > series microcontrollers? Is a dump of the CZ1 ROM available?
> > > 
> > > Best regards,
> > > Joaquim Carvalho
> > >
> >
>

Re: CZ-1 programming interface

2008-02-11 by jdcx64

--- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "gmeredith1" <gmeredith1@...> wrote:
>
> I'm wanting to do the same thing, both for my CZ101 and also my 
> VZ10M. Surely someone out there is using one of those assignable 
> keyboard controllers to do this?

That would be great(!) but I don't think it is possible, there are no
SYSEX messages for changing individual parameters on the CZs.

There's a message for sending all patch parameters as a whole but it
takes almost 1s and can not be programmed on the MIDI controllers that
I know of.

If anyone has any info contrary to this, please say so!

Joaquim
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Since reading this thread it has 
> just dawned on me that my Korg MicroKontrol may be just the thing 
> (well, Duh!!) so I might see if I can figure out how to assign all 
> the controls (32 of them!!) on the Korg to all the parameters on the 
> CZ/VZ. I can then save it in the Korg as a preset.
> 
> Cheers, graham
> 
> 
> --- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "jdcx64" <jdcx64@> wrote:
> >
> > ...for me the fun thing is real-time programming with immediate 
> sound
> > response.
> > The problem with the computer+midi sysex approach is that uploading 
> a
> > patch to the CZ1 via midi takes almost 1 second.
> > 
> > --- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "Fulfil Objective" <kasploosh@> 
> wrote:
> > >
> > > Joaquim,
> > > 
> > > I don't think I've seen a dump of the CZ-1 ROM anywhere in all my
> > > hunting around the web.
> > > 
> > > Your idea for reprogramming the mod wheel is interesting, 
> although it
> > > sounds a little intimidating to me.
> > > 
> > > If programming the envelopes (etc.) is the problem, maybe an 
> easier
> > > answer would be to use a higher level programming language to 
> make a
> > > nice application for a computer? It's so easy to interface the CZ-
> 1
> > > with a computer, and it has a decent set of sysex commands.  You 
> could
> > > have the whole computer screen to create your sounds, all the 
> settings
> > > at once, and not even use the little LCD.  I guess that wouldn't 
> be as
> > > good if what you're looking for is real-time or performance 
> control. 
> > > But it would be good if all you need is better programming
> > > capabilities.  And it wouldn't require disassembling, flashing 
> ROMs,
> > etc.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > --- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "jdcx64" <jdcx64@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I have both a CZ-1 and a JX-8P+PG800
> > > > The Roland is well built, it is easy to program and makes 
> interesting
> > > > sounds, but I like the Casio even better.
> > > > The thing I don't like about the Casio is the programming 
> interface.
> > > > The direct key for every setting is a good approach but the page
> > > > up/down cursor left/right system forces me to keep looking at 
> the LCD
> > > > screen and spoils my mood. The value up/down keys are also not
> > > practical.
> > > > 
> > > > A small change to the CZ1 firmware could improve this:
> > > > 
> > > > - the modulation wheel could be used for parameter input
> > > > 
> > > > - the 8 black panel keys could be relabeled and used for direct
> > > > parameter selection,
> > > >   no more page up/down cursor left/right value+/- sus/end keys
> > > >   a first 1-8 key press to select parameters 1a-8a
> > > >   [a second 1-8 key press to select parameters 1b-8b]
> > > >   [a third 1-8 key press to select parameters 1c-8c]
> > > > 
> > > > example:
> > > > 
> > > > Changing DCW1 envelope curves:
> > > > 1. press the DCW1ENV key
> > > > 
> > > > 2. press panel key 1 for rate1; roll the wheel
> > > > 3. press panel key 1 for level1; roll the wheel
> > > > [4. press panel key 1 for ***/sus/end1; roll the wheel]
> > > > 
> > > > 5. press panel key N for rateN; roll the wheel
> > > > 6. press panel key N for levelN; roll the wheel
> > > > [7. press panel key N for ***/sus/endN; roll the wheel]
> > > > 
> > > > This would allow me to play with sounds without even looking at 
> the
> > > > screen.
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > I've been an assembly language programmer for many years and 
> this
> > > > small change to the CZ-1 firmware is within my capabilities.
> > > > Does anyone know of disassembler/assembler tools for the NEC 
> 87AD
> > > > series microcontrollers? Is a dump of the CZ1 ROM available?
> > > > 
> > > > Best regards,
> > > > Joaquim Carvalho
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

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