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FAQ
· 38 records · 2 columns · Owner mishon53511 · Updated 2007-08-19
Frequently Asked Questions about the entire VFX/VFXSD/SD1/SD132 family
Database table
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the entire VFX/VFXSD/SD1/SD132 family
38 records · Owner mishon53511 · Created 2003-11-01 · Updated 2007-08-19
| Record | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | My VFX, VFXSD and or SD1 gets really hot what can I do about this? | www.Route66studios.com has made a unit called the E cooler just for the VFX and SD line |
| 2 | My floppy drive is not responding are there replacements available? | www.Route66studios.com has drives for the VFXSD, SD1 and SD1 32 |
| 3 | Where can I get the battery for my VFX, VFXSD, VFXSD2, SD1 and SD1 32? | Replacement batterys and battery holders are avialable at www.Route66studios.com |
| 4 | Are there any commercial sounds still available for my VFX, VFXSD, SD1? | Yes, sound discs are avialable from: www.voicecrystal.com and www.syntaur.com |
| 5 | My VFXSD and or SD1 is asking for an OS disc, where can find them? | New OS discs and older version OS discs are availabe at www.Route66studios.com |
| 6 | Can I format a disc in my PC for later use in my VFXSD, SD1 or SD1 32? | Yes, but you will need the Giebler EDM software www.giebler.com |
| 7 | Can I load standard Midi files into my VFXSD, SD1 and or SD1 32? | Yes, but you will need the www.Giebler.com sequencer Conversion Software called VFXSMF this software can convert standard midi files to and from the VFXSD, SD1 and SD1 32 via your PC. |
| 8 | What do i need to save sounds banks through midi from my VFXSD to my PC? | MPU 401 Midi to PC cable and a good software librarian. |
| 9 | Are there any free librarians available for the VFX family? | Yes, sound lib can be downloaded for free on this site in the Files section. |
| 10 | Are there any good multi-featured librarians available for the VFX family? | Yes, several companys have them: www.squest.com, www.motu.com Unisyn Windows or Mac, www.opcode.com Studio Vision 4.0 Pro + Galaxy Deluxe |
| 11 | Where can I find DSDD floppy discs? | DSDD discs are available in bulk from many web sites. |
| 12 | Can I use DSHD or HD discs in my VFXSD, SD1 or SD1 32? | No, this is not recomended, using HD discs in the VFXSD line will produce mixed results at best. |
| 13 | Where can I get ROM and RAM carts for the VFX, VFXSD, SD1 and SD1 32? | At the time ROM and RAM carts are quite difficult to come by but can be found second hand used, Route 66 is in the manufacturing process of both carts and maybe available in the future |
| 14 | Can I add a sequencer memory uprgade to the VFXSD, SD1 or SD1 32 and where can I get them? | Yes, make sure your unit doesn't already have the sequencer upgrade by first saving all sequencer data and sound data to disc. Next press the seq control button 3 times quickly, If your unit reads 25.000 it is not upgraded. The seq upgrade will increase the memory of the VFXSD or SD1 to 75.000 notes this is not nessessary for the SD1 32 as it came stock with the upgrade. For proper operation on VFXSD ROM version must be 1.37 or higher, Press and hold Presets button and press Master the version number will be displayed briefly on the lower middle line of the display. Seq upgrades are available from www.Route66studios.com and www.syntaur.com, be careful when purchasing NON factory upgrades, these may require more voltage and may prematurely burn out the diodes on the power supply board. |
| 15 | My VFX, VFXSD, SD1 or SD1 32 is displaying "battery low save all data" what can i do? can I install this myself? | We do not recomend tackling this repair your self. Remember to save all your data to disc or sysex file before taking your unit to the repair shop. Have a good experienced tech replace the battery with a newer battery holder. With a battery holder installed next time the unit requires a battery you can simply install the non-solder coin battery your self and save the chance of damaging the main board. |
| 16 | How can I tell what ROM upgrade i have? | Press and hold Presets button and press Master the version number will be displayed briefly on the lower middle line of the display. |
| 17 | How can I tell what KPC version i have? | Press and hold Presets button and press Master the version number will be displayed briefly on the lower rigth line of the display. |
| 18 | What is the KPC ROM and do I need to upgrade it if mine is a lower number? | The KPC is the keyboard pressure control, there were several poly key version improvements made along the way and thus we have differnt ROM versions. Upgrading the KPC ROM may improve poly key after toutch and update timing bugs. KPC ROMS are available through www.Route66studios.com |
| 19 | Can I swap a power supply from a VFX to my dead SD1? | No, Ensoniq service manuals state that all products contain the same power supply but this is not true. The VFXSD and the VFXSDll can be swapped, the SD1 and the SD1 32 cannot be swapped, the VFX and the VFXSD, VFXSDll, SD1 and SD1 32 cannot be swapped. |
| 20 | My display board is dead can I swap one from another unit? | Yes. The VFXSD, VFXSDll, SD1 and SD1 32 all have the same display. The VFX is not the same as the VFXSD, VFXSDll, SD1 and SD1 32. |
| 21 | How do I reinitalize my unit? | There are several ways to reinitalize, first save all data. For the VFXS, VFXSD, VFXSDll, SD1, and SD1 32 from the front pannel, press and hold the PRESETS button then press the upper left soft button on the display, next select YES to erase memory and reinitalize. For the VFXSD, VFXSDll, SD1, and SD1 32 only, insert the OS DISC into the drive and press storage, next select DISK and move the data entery slider to the maximum to select FILE-TYPE=SEQUENCER-OS, select YES. The only way to reinitalize a VFX with OS 1.72 or lower is: turn off all power and short the LEFT lead of C1 (upper left corner of the main board) to the BOTTOM LEFT PIN (pin 28) of U9. For a hard reset of the VFXSD, VFXSDll, SD1, and SD1 32 short the minus side of (left) of the battery to the BOTTOM LEFT PIN (pin 28 or 32 if memory is expanded) of U1. |
| 22 | I have an older ROM version in my VFX, should I update my VFX software ROMS and what new features have been added? | Yes, The latest software version 2.30 has many refinements and new features as well as several MIDI enhancements. Changes are in: New effects, Midi implementation specs, master page, pitch tables, and sound selection. |
| 23 | I have an older ROM version in my VFXSD, should I upgrade my software ROMS and what new features are added? | Yes, Version 2.0 adds a whole new level of power to the VFXSD, changes are: Step entry recording, multi track recording, master pages changes, Midi control changes, pitch table carts, new effects, playing tracks in audition mode, sustain pedal changes, using seq from older OS, Midi implementation specs, updating system setup file and more. |
| 24 | I need a manual for my VFX, VFXSD, SD1 and or SD1 32, are they still available? | Yes, www.Route66studios.com and www.syntaur.com have new manuals available. |
| 25 | I need a service manual and schematics for my VFX, VFXSD SD1 and or SD1 32, where can I get them | Service manuals and hard to find schematics for the VFX, VFXSD, SD1 and or SD1 32 are available at www.Route66studios.com |
| 26 | There were several other manuals for the VFX, VFXSD and SD1 synths, including data sheets of every factory sound made where can I find them? | They are available at www.Route66studios.com |
| 27 | I have the latest OS disc but it wont load or work in my VFXSD, SD1 and or SD1 32 what's wrong? | Chances are you have an older software ROM installed that is incompatable with the latest OS disc, get the latest software ROMS installed. |
| 28 | My display is not working but the unit boots up what's wrong do I need a new display? | If the unit boots up but the display only makes a small flicker, 95% of the time it's the diodes on the power supply board and they will need replacing. Do NOT keep turning the unit on and off attempting to get the display to boot or you will cook the 68000 CPU. |
| 29 | I am new to the group and I am thinking of buying a VFX, VFXSD, SD 1 or an SD1 32 but I have heard many horror stories of a glitch or bug in the poly key keyboard that causes an error 144, what's the real story on this problem? | Ensoniq did have a problem with the poly key pressure board but this was finally solved in service bulletin # 12. This bulletin is available free for download in the files section listed under Polyb12.zip . There were many suspected culprits to this error, solder flux, coil board drift, KPC version 2.20, foamless keyboards, heat changes, oxide on tin connectors but the real problem was in the keyboard KPC header connector flex or weakness, this was easly solved by having the header connectors removed and the wires direct soldered to the coil boards. Do NOT let this sway your decision to pick up a second hand VFX, VFXSD, SD1 or SD1 32, this was and is a simple fix and most of all units have already had this repair done. This problem started in the VFX and ended in the SD1 32, the EPS series samplers were also affected. |
| 30 | I need to replace a ribbon cable to the KPC board do I need to keep the old ferite bead? how do I get it on a new ribbon cable? | Yes, simply cut the old ribbon cable in half and slide the bead off and send it to www.Route66studios.com for a replacement. |
| 31 | Can I load my SD1 sequences into my TS10? | Yes, but you will need the www.Giebler.com SD1TS10SMF software converter |
| 32 | I want to step up from an SQ80 to an VFXSD or SD1, can I load my SQ80 sequences in the either unit? | Yes, but you will need the www.Giebler.com S80VFXSD conversion software |
| 33 | Can SCSI be added to the VFX, VFXSD, SD1 or the SD1 32? | No. |
| 34 | Which of all the VFX family synths creates the least amount of noise? | The SD1 and or the SD1 32 have the lowest noise ratio. |
| 35 | Can I load the OS for the the SD1ver 4.10 in my VFXSD? | No, this will not work because the firmware or software ROMs are not compatible. |
| 40 | Does the VFX use bank changes | No, bank changes were created shortly after the VFX was made |
| 41 | My sequencer won't record tracks. I haven't owned a VFXSD in years until recently. Is it just that I forget something about starting a track? | Starting tracks is easy but make sure your sequencer OS is loaded. |
| 42 | Can a CD Drive or zip drive be added to the VFXSD or SD1 series? | No |