Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

This VFX is really a strange beast !
Following this "low battery" warning, I opened up the hood to take a 
look at the battery type and the way to replace it.
First of all, the analog tests showed (Preset+Compare): REF: 70, BAT: 
115. Date on the synth: Aug 1990.
While trying to identify the battery type and the way it is soldered, 
I discovered the battery holders were loose and it broke quickly 
after I just touched it...
Now the best part: as a temporarily solution, I put the same 
battery&holders back in place making sure the contacts were OK and 
taped the whole thing so it won't move... and it works ! Analog tests 
shows: REF: 90 and BAT: 223 !!! Played with it last night for 3 
hours, the random-pitching on sounds never appeared !

I'm going to replace the battery and resolder the battery holders to 
the board.
Question: The battery looks exactly the same as the ones used in 
photo cameras (3V, Lithium. There is also a strange "BR 2/3A" 
reference on it too). My guess is to use this type of battery. Any 
recommendations ??

Thanks in advance !

Fred

Hi folks, I just picked up a VFX cart and plugged it
into the old charmer SD-1, et ca function! A third of
the total 60 patches show as just a couple zeros on
the display. Is this because of their being vacant or
because of incomapability of the VFX and SD-1
programming? And yes, is there anyone into trading
SD-1 floppies... I have a few on hand. Also wondering,
I just picked up a second SD-1 and was curious if
there's anything interesting and out of the ordinary
that you can do with 2 of the machines hooked up
together. Cheers, Keith 

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices
http://auctions.yahoo.com/

Oh ya Fred, that's the same battery I use in my WS and
X3, must be really common for synths of that
generation. It'll be interesting to see how the repair
goes. See ya, Keith

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices
http://auctions.yahoo.com/

Hi folks, I've received requests on how to replace the
disk-drive, so for all, here's the procedure as
written in the Service Manual (a touch abbreviated).1)
remove all cords inc. power cord 2) use 2.5 mm hex
wrench, remove the four brass screws that fasten the
front control panel and raise the panel 3)turn the
unit over, top down, and remove the four screws that
attach the wheel assembly to the case. Return the unit
to an upright position and raise the control panel.
Carefully lift the wheel assembley out of the case.4)
disconnect the two cables from the disk drive paying
attention to the polarity 5) remove the four screws
that attach the disk drive to the wheel assembly 6)
carefully slide the disk drive out of the wheel
assembly. Remove the two screws that attach the metal
plate to the bottom of the drive 7) attach metal plate
to the new drive 8) slide the disk drive into place
and mount it using the four screws. Reconnect the two
cables 9) reattach the wheel assembly to the case
using the four screws.....It may seem complicated, but
it's about as tough as plugging in a light and humming
Joy to the World, the hardest part is finding the hex
wrench at the local hardware. Good luck to all, and
check out Studio 66's Ensoniq site
<hometown.aol.com/mishon66/index.html> for reasonably
priced replacement drives. Cheers, Keith

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices
http://auctions.yahoo.com/

The installing is almost true, but still missing the most important 
thing, the "JP addresses" on the drive. 
It should set to 0.

But I've still got problem with my drive.
 The drive starts to format the disk, but after about 1-min the VFX 
tells me that the disk is not formatted.
 If I trying to load from the drive it's telling me the format is 
wrong (formatted on the PC in the EDE program as an 720kb disk)...

Is there some one who is recognising this problem?

regards/
Niklas




--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@y..., keith cummings <keithkcummings@y...> 
wrote:

> Hi folks, I've received requests on how to replace the
> disk-drive, so for all, here's the procedure as
> written in the Service Manual (a touch abbreviated).1)
> remove all cords inc. power cord 2) use 2.5 mm hex
> wrench, remove the four brass screws that fasten the
> front control panel and raise the panel 3)turn the
> unit over, top down, and remove the four screws that
> attach the wheel assembly to the case. Return the unit
> to an upright position and raise the control panel.
> Carefully lift the wheel assembley out of the case.4)
> disconnect the two cables from the disk drive paying
> attention to the polarity 5) remove the four screws
> that attach the disk drive to the wheel assembly 6)
> carefully slide the disk drive out of the wheel
> assembly. Remove the two screws that attach the metal
> plate to the bottom of the drive 7) attach metal plate
> to the new drive 8) slide the disk drive into place
> and mount it using the four screws. Reconnect the two
> cables 9) reattach the wheel assembly to the case
> using the four screws.....It may seem complicated, but
> it's about as tough as plugging in a light and humming
> Joy to the World, the hardest part is finding the hex
> wrench at the local hardware. Good luck to all, and
> check out Studio 66's Ensoniq site
> <hometown.aol.com/mishon66/index.html> for reasonably
> priced replacement drives. Cheers, Keith
> 
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices
> http://auctions.yahoo.com/

Hi Niklas, what's a JP address? Also, when my disk
drive did not format any disks it became appartent my
drive was toasted golden brown big time. Cheers, Keith

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices
http://auctions.yahoo.com/

In a message dated 5/18/01 8:39:24 AM Central Daylight Time, 
keithkcummings@... writes:

<< Subj:     Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Installing a disk drive-VFXSD and SD-1
 Date:  5/18/01 8:39:24 AM Central Daylight Time

 From:  keithkcummings@... (keith cummings)
 Reply-to:  Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
 To:    Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
 
 Hi Niklas, what's a JP address? Also, when my disk
 drive did not format any disks it became appartent my
 drive was toasted golden brown big time. Cheers, Keith
 
 _________________________________________________ >>
On the VFXSD the JP settings on an original Sony MP-F63W-00D you must use the 
setting of 0, or the selector switch set to furthest setting to the back of 
the drive. Our replacement drives come fully config read to install with your 
existing screws.
Richard