Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

I'm curious, has anyone tried the Emu 1x1 USB-MIDI? It has the least 
expensive list price of any of that I've seen ($29.95)... 
notwithstanding those EBay Chinese knock-offs.

- Mark

Hans Artmann wrote:

> Just to add to the device list:
> I'm using an Emagic AMT-8 and a Tascam U428 without any problems, both 
> connected via USB.
> It's a pity that Emagic has been aquired by Apple - same sad story like 
> with Ensoniq and Emu. Good products
> are been taken out of the competition while there's nothing better to offer.
>  
> Hans
>  
>  
> 
>     -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
>     Von: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>     [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] Im Auftrag von Steve Wahl
>     Gesendet: Samstag, 21. Juni 2008 07:28
>     An: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>     Betreff: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Beware cheap chinese USB MIDI cables
>     onebay...
> 
>     On Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 03:11:23AM +0000, Claus wrote:
>      > Hi Steve :)
>      >
>      > I´ve been using a Winman 1x1 (ISA back then!) with no
>      > problems. Midiman BiPort 2x4s (COM port) on Win98se with NO
>      > problems. For the last year or so, a MidiSport 8x8 (USB on 98se(!!)
>      > is running. No problem either. I've also tried the MIDI I/O on the
>      > Evolution UC33e controller and the MIDI I/O on a Terratec Phase
>      > 22. All working.
> 
>     I've used a few working interfaces over the years, too. You mention
>     all brand name stuff, many that shipped with their own drivers.
> 
>     I should be clear: I'm not talking about brand name midi interfaces
>     that just happen to be made in China. They're likely as good as the
>     name on them and the company standing behind them.
> 
>     I'm talking about a no-name, generic USB-MIDI cable from ebay, that in
>     fact I realize I'm only assuming was made in China.
> 
>     Speaking as a driver writer (but, so far, not a MIDI driver writer),
>     sometimes hardware has bugs in it that must be worked around. My
>     theory is that this cheap, no-name cable "stole" the circuitry /
>     silicon from a slightly buggy version of the UNO, and changed the USB
>     ID for the device which means the driver that works OK with a real UNO
>     can't recognize that it has to compensate for a hardware bug.
> 
>     (If you don't think they can easily steal things like circuit board
>     artwork and silicon, read up on counterfiet Cisco hardware someday!)
> 
>      > So I'm really wondering what Your problem might be. Maybe I'm wrong,
>      > but to my knowledge, VFXs don't use running status. Roland does, as
>      > one of the only ones getting to my mind from back then.
> 
>     If it's true that the VFX doesn't use running status, that throws a
>     big wrench into my theory. I looked at a different interface with my
>     VFX and Midi-Ox, and I don't see running status. BUT I have a feeling
>     that the windows midi driver API has the driver hide received running
>     status from the applications, so midi-ox wouldn't know if running
>     status came in or not.
> 
>     If I get time, I'll hook up the oscilloscope and find out for certain!
>     :-)
> 
>     (You're not by any chance confusing running status with active
>     sensing, are you? I know nearly nobody used active sensing.)
> 
>      > To me it really sounds like a 'bad' USB port or something along that
>      > line. Which might include bad drivers. The BiPort 2x4s as an example
>      > runs way better with v1.02 than the newest avaiable drivers (1.05 I
>      > think, allthough discontinued). Have You tried that? It MIGHT
>      > help.
> 
>     This is one of those devices that doesn't come with drivers, instead
>     uses the "class" drivers that ship with your OS. So far I've used Mac
>     OS X Leopard, and Windows XP (SP2 I think, but I haven't paid too much
>     attention to detail there); both machines using USB ports that have no
>     problem with other things like thumb drives. I also used a MidiMan
>     Oxygen 8 on the mac a little while back. I can't say for sure it was
>     the same port, because I have two USB ports.
> 
>      > Else I really would suggest the 8x8s (or similar), since it:
>      > Brings LOTS of I/O, works as a MIDI-patchbay. AND can be used
>      > without the computer :)) (OK, pricey, but really nice!)
> 
>     I have quite a few examples of midi interfaces around here; I think I
>     even still have one to connect to my amiga around somewhere! While
>     I've had one in particular be a bit flakey (MOTU PC midi flyer,
>     parallel port connection, I think it was interrupt conflicts or
>     something that caused flakeyness), all the others I've tried have
>     basically worked. Never had a problem like this before.
> 
>     The object of this purchase was a simple, inexpensive midi interface I
>     can toss in the laptop bag. $20 seemed like a "what have I got to
>     lose" price -- the answer was I've got $20 to lose, of course. $40 +
>     tax / shipping / etc. for a brand name interface seemed a little high
>     at the time. Not now, though!
> 
>      > One last (SIMPLE!) suggestion, as I had this problem once: Have You
>      > tried spraying the MIDI I/Os on the VFX with elctronic-cleaner? That
>      > MIGHT help too.
> 
>     I use the VFX-SD midi out all the time to control a Roland JV-1080.
>     And I hooked it up to the midi in on my Emu-1212 just to check for
>     certain (same win XP system I tested the USB interface on). NO
>     dropped notes with that. So, I think the electrical connection is
>     fine.
> 
>      > You're on XP?
> 
>     As well as OS X Leopard and various Linux systems; haven't done MIDI
>     on any of them for a while. I mostly use MIDI only for live playing
>     and VFX-SD sequencing; I just record audio when I use a computer.
> 
>     But, anyway, thanks for your input on this, Claus!
> 
>     --> Steve
> 
>     -- 
>     Steve Wahl steve@... <mailto:steve%40pro-ns.net>
> 
>     "'No Child Left Behind' -- Think about those words for a second. How
>     else do you not leave a child behind unless you hold everyone else
>     back with him?"
>     -- Someone named "Geoffrey" on Slashdot