Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

Hi

I've searched historic entries as far as I can and can't find an 
answer to this but apologies if I have missed it.

I have an SD1 and bought a great talking manual from Syntaur 
together with some floppies with sounds etc on. I hoped this would 
tell me how to get the sequencer working but from reading these 
entries it seems I need an o/s disk (it has version 4.1) to start 
the sequencer.

Questions...

1. How do I know that there is a sequencer inside my SD1 (the 
buttons have sequencer options so I assume it is there somewhereas 
standard)?

2. If I do need a system disk to get the sequencer going how would I 
load a disk into my SD1 which has no slot for a disk. Would I need 
to do it through my PC/midi?

3. I did see a disk drive for the SD1 advertised somewhere but if I 
do need one how would I attach it to my SD1 which as far as I can 
see has no obvious plugholes for a sequencer. 

4. I also bought an ESQ1 and have a cartridge I took from it hoping 
that it might work on the SD1. I can't get it to work though it 
looks fine. is this incompatability or something I need a system 
disk for to resolve.

Any thoughts on any of the areas welcomed as it's driving me nuts!

Thanks in advance.

Phil

> 2. If I do need a system disk to get the sequencer going how would I 
> load a disk into my SD1 which has no slot for a disk. Would I need 
> to do it through my PC/midi?

SD1's, indeed every memeber of the VFX family except the original
"vanilla" VFX, all had floppy drives.  On the left end of the
keyboard, front to back, you should have pitch & mod wheels, patch
select buttons, and a floppy disk drive, with a slanted recess above
it that could hold floppies, paper clips, or just dust.  What do you
have?

The orginal VFX, without the sequencer buttons, has the same cabinet,
but has a "shelf" in place of the floppy disk drive, apparently the
right size to hold a cartridge or two.  Maybe somebody took this shelf
and put it in place of your floppy drive when the drive failed, but
that'd be highly unusual.

To the best of my knowledge, you can't load the sequencing software
into the system without a floppy drive.

--> Steve

Thanks Folks

It is definately an SD-1 manufactured June 13th 1991 and doesn't 
have the disk drive (as you can see from my pictures on - 
http://philssynths.4t.com/photo2.html ) so it seems I'm knackered. 
If I can't get all the extra sounds in that I have bought on floppy 
disk I think I'll sell on the SD-1 as whilst it sounds and feels 
great its going to depress me knowing that I can't take it any 
further.

Thanks for all your help.

Regards

Phil

Steve

Definately an SD-1 but seems the disk drive has disappeared as you 
can see from my photos on - http://philssynths.4t.com/photo2.html

I've decided to sell it on if I can't use all the sounds I have 
bought but thanks for your help.

Regards

Phil

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "philip_tompsett2002" 
<philip_tompsett@h...> wrote:
> Steve
> 
> Definately an SD-1 but seems the disk drive has disappeared as you 
> can see from my photos on - http://philssynths.4t.com/photo2.html
> 
> I've decided to sell it on if I can't use all the sounds I have 
> bought but thanks for your help.
> 
> Regards
> 
> Phil

You can convert all your sounds to syx and load them through the 
midi port. You probably can get all you sounds you have on disk on 
this site or others, I wouldn't sell the synth till you listen to 
the great sounds.

Maybe, if the only problem was the Disk drive, putting a new one in may 
work, but if the problem is in the motherboard, and the previous owner 
removed the drive, and replaced it with the the infil, then it may not 
repair.

Also, you may want to try and find out..
A> Is your SD-1 really an SD-1, or an early VFX transplanted into an 
SD-1 box.
B> If you remove the panel where the disk drive should be, or access it 
somehow from inside, is there a plug that plugs into a disk drive.

Note the drive is double density double side (Not high density)

Ralph :-)



philip_tompsett2002 wrote:

>Thanks Folks
>
>It is definately an SD-1 manufactured June 13th 1991 and doesn't 
>have the disk drive (as you can see from my pictures on - 
>http://philssynths.4t.com/photo2.html ) so it seems I'm knackered. 
>If I can't get all the extra sounds in that I have bought on floppy 
>disk I think I'll sell on the SD-1 as whilst it sounds and feels 
>great its going to depress me knowing that I can't take it any 
>further.
>
>Thanks for all your help.
>
>Regards
>
>Phil
>
>
>  
>

Phil,

selling the SD-1 would be a good solution only for the one who's going to
buy it! You have two other ways to go on:
1. if you own a computer with MIDI ports: extract the sounds on your disks
as sysex files and load them through the MIDI interface. To extract the
sysex you can use a program you'll find in the file section of this group
for free. Here's the link to download VFXtools.zip:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ensoniq-VFX-SD/files/Tools/

This would work even if you got a faked SD-1, i.e. a SD-1 case with a
vanilla VFX motherboard. However, if that would be the case there would be
empty holes at the Ft.Sw. and Aux.Out Left position.

2. if you have some technical skills, or a friend who has, do the following:
open the cover and have a look at the mainboard (have a look into
Tools > Doc calibration problem > Figures for keyboard fix under the above
link
to see a descrption and a picture how to do it).

Maybe the cable connection for the floppy drive is still there (there are
two: the data cable and the power supply, both are floppy drive standard
cables and plugs and you can buy them in any computer store.

With the floppy drive it's a bit more complex since Ensoniq used the so
called Shugart drives which are not compatible with today's standard drives.
I think Route66 still sells them. I also remember to have read about how to
connect a standard drive (you have to switch two lines in the cable to make
it work)

To mount the new drive you must unscrew the box to the left holding the
wheels and the drive (4 screws from the bottom). Maybe you have also to
remove the keyboard (another 10 screws), but I'm not sure if that's
necessary.

If you need more instruczions just let me know...
The VFX you have is definitely worth the work!!

Regards,
Hans

-----Original Message-----
From: philip_tompsett2002 [mailto:philip_tompsett@...]
Sent: Samstag, 17. Januar 2004 20:04
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: How do you load disks into an SD1 that has
no disk slot?


Steve

Definately an SD-1 but seems the disk drive has disappeared as you
can see from my photos on - http://philssynths.4t.com/photo2.html

I've decided to sell it on if I can't use all the sounds I have
bought but thanks for your help.

Regards

Phil




Yahoo! Groups Links

To visit your group on the web, go to:
 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ensoniq-VFX-SD/

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
 Ensoniq-VFX-SD-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
 http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

In a message dated 1/17/2004 1:51:26 PM Eastern Standard Time, philip_tompsett@... writes:

> Thanks Folks
> 
> It is definately an SD-1 manufactured June 13th 1991 and doesn't 
> have the disk drive (as you can see from my pictures on - 
> http://philssynths.4t.com/photo2.html ) so it seems I'm knackered. 
> If I can't get all the extra sounds in that I have bought on floppy 
> disk I think I'll sell on the SD-1 as whilst it sounds and feels 
> great its going to depress me knowing that I can't take it 
> any 
> further.
> 
> Thanks for all your help.
> 
> Regards
> 
> Phil


Phil
      I have the disc drives and I have the replacement drive housing if you need one let me know. Replacing the drive is easy, replacing the entire housing is quite simple as well.
 It looks like the early owner pulled the drive out for some reason, I can supply you with install directions if you like.
 Richard at Route 66

It seems my disk drive has been chopped by a previous owner and from 
the mutilated wires I doubt I could reinstall one (see mutilation 
pics at http://philssynths.4t.com/photo2.html ). 

I'm going to try to work out disk to sysex and how to get them into 
the SD1.

Thanks for the help much appreciated and great to solve the mystery.

Phil

In a message dated 1/18/2004 3:44:58 PM Eastern Standard Time, philip_tompsett@... writes:

> 
> 
> It seems my disk drive has been chopped by a previous owner and from 
> the mutilated wires I doubt I could reinstall one (see mutilation 
> pics at http://philssynths.4t.com/photo2.html ). 
> 
> I'm going to try to work out disk to sysex and how to get them into 
> the SD1.
> 
> Thanks for the help much appreciated and great to solve the 
> mystery.
> 
> Phil
> 
> 
 Phil
     No it's a 15 min install we even have the new ribbon cables for the SD1, really dont get bummed out this can all be fixed and up and running in no time.
 Richard at www.Route66studios.com

Richard

I'm away for a couple of days but definately interested if it won't break 
the bank as it is a great synth. How much are we talking about for the cable 
drive and anything else you think I might need?

Regarsd

Phil


>From: mishon66@...
>Reply-To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: How do you load disks into an SD1 that 
>has no disk slot?
>Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 22:20:14 -0500
>
>In a message dated 1/18/2004 3:44:58 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
>philip_tompsett@... writes:
>
> >
> >
> > It seems my disk drive has been chopped by a previous owner and from
> > the mutilated wires I doubt I could reinstall one (see mutilation
> > pics at http://philssynths.4t.com/photo2.html ).
> >
> > I'm going to try to work out disk to sysex and how to get them into
> > the SD1.
> >
> > Thanks for the help much appreciated and great to solve the
> > mystery.
> >
> > Phil
> >
> >
>  Phil
>      No it's a 15 min install we even have the new ribbon cables for the 
>SD1, really dont get bummed out this can all be fixed and up and running in 
>no time.
>  Richard at www.Route66studios.com

_________________________________________________________________
Tired of 56k? Get a FREE BT Broadband connection 
http://www.msn.co.uk/specials/btbroadband

I would guess that the ribbon cable goes into the drive, and the other 
cable may be a separate power supply for the drive.
Hopefully, the previous owner didn't have access to new ribbon, 
explaining the attempted repair, as the cable ought to plug into the 
main board somewhere, and you should be able to replace the ribbon cable 
as well s the drive. That looks a long ribbon. If you can't get new 
ribbon with the proper connectors on each end, those connectors may open 
to place a cable strip in it. You may find the wrong connect to on the 
disk drive end of the cable, if the previous owner tried wiring up to a 
disk drive from another computer, or keyboard.

Also, I'd hope the drive was faulty, not the mother board, and that the 
previous owner hasn't damaged the board.

Either way, that does look promising.

Good Luck...

Ralph :-)



philip_tompsett2002 wrote:

>It seems my disk drive has been chopped by a previous owner and from 
>the mutilated wires I doubt I could reinstall one (see mutilation 
>pics at http://philssynths.4t.com/photo2.html ). 
>
>I'm going to try to work out disk to sysex and how to get them into 
>the SD1.
>
>Thanks for the help much appreciated and great to solve the mystery.
>
>Phil
>
>
>
> 
>  
>

In a message dated 1/19/2004 1:23:55 PM Eastern Standard Time, philip_tompsett@... writes:

> Richard
> 
> I'm away for a couple of days but definately interested if it won't break 
> the bank as it is a great synth. How much are we talking 
> about for the cable 
> drive and anything else you think I might need?
> 
> Regarsd
> 
> Phil

 Phil
      The drive is $65.00 + shipping where are you? I will toss in the cable.
 Richard at Route 66

Thanks Richard and sorry for not mentioning earlier that I'm in UK.

I'd definately like to buy the drive/cable and see what I can do with it. Do 
you accept paypal (happy to pay the 4% or similar sellers surcharge) or 
credit card or can I pay direct into your account from the UK?

Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Phil


>From: mishon66@...
>Reply-To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: How do you load disks into an SD1 that 
>has no disk slot?
>Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 23:12:55 -0500
>
>In a message dated 1/19/2004 1:23:55 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
>philip_tompsett@... writes:
>
> > Richard
> >
> > I'm away for a couple of days but definately interested if it won't 
>break
> > the bank as it is a great synth. How much are we talking
> > about for the cable
> > drive and anything else you think I might need?
> >
> > Regarsd
> >
> > Phil
>
>  Phil
>       The drive is $65.00 + shipping where are you? I will toss in the 
>cable.
>  Richard at Route 66

_________________________________________________________________
It's fast, it's easy and it's free. Get MSN Messenger today! 
http://www.msn.co.uk/messenger