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2018-06-02 by cheapmachines@...
2018-06-02 by Chas D
Does anyone know what the most up to date firmware is for the VZ-8M?Also, does anyone know how to check the installed version on the unit itself? I guess there's some combination of buttons you need to hold down but unsure what that might be...Thanks for any help.
2018-06-03 by cheapmachines@...
Thanks for that, pretty sure you’re right there. It’s interesting that you very rarely see the .bin firmware for the VZ-8M online, where dumps of most synths of the same era are fairly easy to come by.
2018-06-04 by smw-mail@...
2018-06-04 by cheapmachines@...
2018-06-05 by smw-mail@...
2018-06-05 by cheapmachines@...
2018-06-05 by Chas D
Very interesting. Some of the names of the contributors are very familiar.I wonder why people dump the ROMs and why people find having them useful. The only reason I could come up with is to figure it out and create tweaks--code-bending (parallel to circuit-bending).Oh--where does someone get a device to dump ROM contents? Or is it a DIY project? I suppose someone would also need tools to recompile the code and burn it to a chip. Any resource links on that?Thanks for the link.Steve
Very interesting. Some of the names of the contributors are very familiar.I wonder why people dump the ROMs and why people find having them useful. The only reason I could come up with is to figure it out and create tweaks--code-bending (parallel to circuit-bending).Oh--where does someone get a device to dump ROM contents? Or is it a DIY project? I suppose someone would also need tools to recompile the code and burn it to a chip. Any resource links on that?Thanks for the link.Steve
2018-06-06 by Lee
I do believe some of the cz series control parameters over sysx codes: but I have never tried this,nor do I know if re-triggering happens. Lee Sent from my iPhone
On 5 Jun 2018, at 22:17, "Chas D 350ypvs@... [CZsynth]" <CZsynth@yahoogroups.com> wrote: > There are some people that dump old synth roms to upgrade/ reverse engineer them. A good example is KiwiTechnics from New Zealand. They have taken some classic synths (Roland JX-3P, Roland JX-8P and the Korg Polysix) and completely rewritten their o/s, in the process upgrading, improving and adding numerous extra features that the originals didn't have. I have their KIWI3P upgrade installed in my JX-3P and can confirm that it elevates the 3P several levels above standard. The standard 3P is a great synth, but it was hampered by limited MIDI implementation, no CC or SYSEX control and missing numerous features that could expand its sonic capabilities. For instance, the standard 3P can use a Roland PG200 controller for real time control of its parameters. However, the PG200 uses proprietary controls (no CC output) and cannot be used simultaneously with MIDI (you can only use the PG200 OR MIDI at any one time). KiwiTechnics Kiwi3P included full CC and MIDI control, and allowed the use of any MIDI controller thus eliminating the need for the expensive and limited PG200. It also added an arpeggiator, extra LFO and envelopes, greater control over the oscillators, massively expanded patch memory and sequencer storage, and greater control over the chorus amongst many other new features. Quite a considerable upgrade. > > Others dump synth roms purely for archiving, and as someone mentioned above, also in case the original ROMs fail enabling you burn a new rom to replace it. > > To read ROMs, you need a chip reader or an eprom programmer. An eprom programmer also allows you to 'burn' new ROMs, be it original or one that was modified by someone able rewrite/ reprogram the code. The latter would be done via a computer connected to an ROM/eprom reader programmer. > > My VZ-1 (and my CZ-1 and 101) all work just as good as they ever did, which is testament to how well Casio built those synths. My only wish would be for the CZ series to have real time CC control over some of its parameters. But being digital, it wouldn't be able to smoothly adjust settings without audible audio stepping or retriggering of sounds. At least not unless it was substantially upgraded with newer digital processing chips, which I think is beyond feasible/ practical for the work and costs required to do so. > > On Tue, Jun 5, 2018, 5:52 AM smw-mail@prodigy.net [CZsynth] <CZsynth@yahoogroups.com> wrote: >> >> Very interesting. Some of the names of the contributors are very familiar. >> >> I wonder why people dump the ROMs and why people find having them useful. The only reason I could come up with is to figure it out and create tweaks--code-bending (parallel to circuit-bending). >> >> Oh--where does someone get a device to dump ROM contents? Or is it a DIY project? I suppose someone would also need tools to recompile the code and burn it to a chip. Any resource links on that? >> >> Thanks for the link. >> >> Steve > > > On Tue, Jun 5, 2018, 5:52 AM smw-mail@... [CZsynth] <CZsynth@yahoogroups.com> wrote: >> >> Very interesting. Some of the names of the contributors are very familiar. >> >> I wonder why people dump the ROMs and why people find having them useful. The only reason I could come up with is to figure it out and create tweaks--code-bending (parallel to circuit-bending). >> >> Oh--where does someone get a device to dump ROM contents? Or is it a DIY project? I suppose someone would also need tools to recompile the code and burn it to a chip. Any resource links on that? >> >> Thanks for the link. >> >> Steve > >
2018-06-06 by Loscha
I do believe some of the cz series control parameters over sysx codes: but I have never tried this,nor do I know if re-triggering happens.Lee
Sent from my iPhoneThere are some people that dump old synth roms to upgrade/ reverse engineer them. A good example is KiwiTechnics from New Zealand. They have taken some classic synths (Roland JX-3P, Roland JX-8P and the Korg Polysix) and completely rewritten their o/s, in the process upgrading, improving and adding numerous extra features that the originals didn't have. I have their KIWI3P upgrade installed in my JX-3P and can confirm that it elevates the 3P several levels above standard. The standard 3P is a great synth, but it was hampered by limited MIDI implementation, no CC or SYSEX control and missing numerous features that could expand its sonic capabilities. For instance, the standard 3P can use a Roland PG200 controller for real time control of its parameters. However, the PG200 uses proprietary controls (no CC output) and cannot be used simultaneously with MIDI (you can only use the PG200 OR MIDI at any one time). KiwiTechnics Kiwi3P included full CC and MIDI control, and allowed the use of any MIDI controller thus eliminating the need for the expensive and limited PG200. It also added an arpeggiator, extra LFO and envelopes, greater control over the oscillators, massively expanded patch memory and sequencer storage, and greater control over the chorus amongst many other new features. Quite a considerable upgrade.Others dump synth roms purely for archiving, and as someone mentioned above, also in case the original ROMs fail enabling you burn a new rom to replace it.To read ROMs, you need a chip reader or an eprom programmer. An eprom programmer also allows you to 'burn' new ROMs, be it original or one that was modified by someone able rewrite/ reprogram the code. The latter would be done via a computer connected to an ROM/eprom reader programmer.My VZ-1 (and my CZ-1 and 101) all work just as good as they ever did, which is testament to how well Casio built those synths. My only wish would be for the CZ series to have real time CC control over some of its parameters. But being digital, it wouldn't be able to smoothly adjust settings without audible audio stepping or retriggering of sounds. At least not unless it was substantially upgraded with newer digital processing chips, which I think is beyond feasible/ practical for the work and costs required to do so.Very interesting. Some of the names of the contributors are very familiar.I wonder why people dump the ROMs and why people find having them useful. The only reason I could come up with is to figure it out and create tweaks--code-bending (parallel to circuit-bending).Oh--where does someone get a device to dump ROM contents? Or is it a DIY project? I suppose someone would also need tools to recompile the code and burn it to a chip. Any resource links on that?Thanks for the link.SteveVery interesting. Some of the names of the contributors are very familiar.I wonder why people dump the ROMs and why people find having them useful. The only reason I could come up with is to figure it out and create tweaks--code-bending (parallel to circuit-bending).Oh--where does someone get a device to dump ROM contents? Or is it a DIY project? I suppose someone would also need tools to recompile the code and burn it to a chip. Any resource links on that?Thanks for the link.Steve
2018-06-06 by charles copp
yes that is true ,cz will always retrigger the sound ... not certain if it retriggers or just has an interupt but I know because have written a cz editor and this happens .... its good if you do realtime edits and want some legato style note chops but other wise asking the envelope to pick up where the new envelopes (if any) exisit is oo much for the dyamic phase synth engine... love it or leave it , or modify it ,,,its casio and I like it !
2018-06-12 by cheapmachines@...
2018-06-12 by José Ángel Morente
Just to follow up on the original post, I've had a look at the EPROM inside the VZ-8M and unfortunately it's soldered directly to the PCB (rather than in a DIP socket) which obviously makes removing it to dump its contents using a chip reader a rather messy job.If anyone knows how to read these DIP28 chips without desoldering I'm happy to do it but it does explain why the firmware isn't easy to find online.Chip is an NEC D27C1001D-15 with a M302 sticker over the crystal.