Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family group photo

Yahoo Groups archive

Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

Index last updated: 2026-04-29 00:03 UTC

Thread

VFX discs

VFX discs

2001-06-19 by Ashe

Hi....

Im thinking of buying a VFX....can someone tell me if this model uses 
3.5 floppys or does it use some sort of special disc....and if so how 
hard are those to find?


Thanks for any info

~Ashe

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by John

Hi Ashe,
    I think I would stay away from the VFX, this is my opinion.  I would go
with a  Ensoniq VFX-SD or a SD-1,
I have owned all three of these.  There is no floppy drive in the VFX, it
does have a cartage but they are becoming rare and getting expensive. The
vfx also runs a lower operating system. (maybe someone has an update chip
for them but finding it may be hard)
John
----- Original Message -----
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: "Ashe" <aeternumrecordings@...>
To: <Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2001 7:52 PM
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs


> Hi....
>
> Im thinking of buying a VFX....can someone tell me if this model uses
> 3.5 floppys or does it use some sort of special disc....and if so how
> hard are those to find?
>
>
> Thanks for any info
>
> ~Ashe
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> Ensoniq-VFX-SD-unsubscribe@egroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by John

Sorry if I have given wrong info but my VFX did not have a floppy drive.(only a cartridge slot). My VFX-SD and my SD-1 do have 3 1/2 floppy drives.
Thanks, John
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2001 9:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

yes it uses standard 3.5" floppies.
T.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ashe
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2001 8:54 PM
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs
Hi....

Im thinking of buying a VFX....can someone tell me if this model uses
3.5 floppys or does it use some sort of special disc....and if so how
hard are those to find?


Thanks for any info

~Ashe



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



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.


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



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by Todd Bryant

yes it uses standard 3.5" floppies.
T.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ashe
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2001 8:54 PM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs
Hi....

Im thinking of buying a VFX....can someone tell me if this model uses
3.5 floppys or does it use some sort of special disc....and if so how
hard are those to find?


Thanks for any info

~Ashe



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



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by carl engerer

they are very hard to find but i think thier is a web site that sells them
Show quoted textHide quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: Ashe [mailto:aeternumrecordings@...]
Sent: Tuesday, 19 June 2001 10:53 AM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

Hi....

Im thinking of buying a VFX....can someone tell me if this model uses
3.5 floppys or does it use some sort of special disc....and if so how
hard are those to find?


Thanks for any info

~Ashe



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



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by Bill Wilcox

VFX does not use disks.  VFX-SD and SD1 use 3.5" double density disks.

Bill Wilcox
bwilcox@...
1-314-863-5717 ext. 146
Hastings+Chivetta Architects, Inc.
700 Corporate Park Drive
Suite 400
St. Louis, Missouri   63105

>>> "In Aeternum" <aeternumrecordings@...> 06/19 11:53 AM >>>
ok....Im confused now.......does the VFX use 3.5 discs????  Im getting yes it does and no it doesnt......does anyone know for sure???


~Ashe
Show quoted textHide quoted text
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: carl engerer 
  To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 2:54 AM
  Subject: RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs


  they are very hard to find but i think thier is a web site that sells them
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Ashe [mailto:aeternumrecordings@...] 
    Sent: Tuesday, 19 June 2001 10:53 AM
    To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com 
    Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs


    Hi....

    Im thinking of buying a VFX....can someone tell me if this model uses 
    3.5 floppys or does it use some sort of special disc....and if so how 
    hard are those to find?


    Thanks for any info

    ~Ashe



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



    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. 


        Yahoo! Groups Sponsor 
       
       

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



  Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by In Aeternum

ok....Im confused now.......does the VFX use 3.5 discs???? Im getting yes it does and no it doesnt......does anyone know for sure???
~Ashe
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 2:54 AM
Subject: RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

they are very hard to find but i think thier is a web site that sells them
-----Original Message-----
From: Ashe [mailto:aeternumrecordings@...]
Sent: Tuesday, 19 June 2001 10:53 AM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

Hi....

Im thinking of buying a VFX....can someone tell me if this model uses
3.5 floppys or does it use some sort of special disc....and if so how
hard are those to find?


Thanks for any info

~Ashe



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



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.


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



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by Sixten

Dear Ashe,
yes, the VFX-SD uses normal Double Density 3.5 discs (I often ue High Density disks, but the VFX-system automaticly formats them correctly). Because you often use the same disks over and over again to load and to save it's best to keep backups and use good quality discs. I use the VFX over 10 years now (I bought it the first year it came out) and only had a few disc-failures, so you don't have to worry I guess.
Be sure though it's an SD-version, as the normal VFX doesn't have sequencer and discdrive build in (that's about the difference between the VFX and VFX-SD).
You might also wonder if these discs are windows/dos-compatible : NO. You can't read the disks on your computer. There is one program that can format your discs to use it with your VFX, but don't worry about that right now as it might only confuse you. The discdrive in the VFX-SD formats the disc in it's own particular way.
So to be brief : YES, the VFX-SD uses normal 3.5 discs and they are available everywhere !

Sixten
http://www.sektor21.com

Show quoted textHide quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: In Aeternum [mailto:aeternumrecordings@...]
Sent: dinsdag 19 juni 2001 18:53
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

ok....Im confused now.......does the VFX use 3.5 discs???? Im getting yes it does and no it doesnt......does anyone know for sure???
~Ashe

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by Suzanne Archibald

At 01:17 PM 6/19/01, you wrote:
>ok.....so now the VFX doesnt even use discs of any kind......
>
>I KNOW athe VFX-SD uses 3.5's......but thats not the board Im asking 
>about.......Ive gotten every response possible about the VFX........"it 
>does not use 3.5's it uses a special disc"....."it does use 
>3.5's"........and now......"it doesnt even have a disc drive"!
>
>
>can anybody give me the exact info as to what sort of disc drive the VFD 
>has.......not the VFX-SD


The *VFX* doesn't have a disc drive at all. The reason you've gotten 
conflicting answers is because to many  people here, VFX is taken as the 
series, and to most that means the VFX-SD when 'what disc does it use' is 
asked. Since the original VFX lacks a drive, the question implies that 'it 
uses a disc, but what kind', which would mean the VFX-SD.


So the answer is, the VFX doesn't use discs.


-- 
Listen to my Music at :
http://www.mp3.com/Suzanne_Archibald                   or
http://www.musicbuilder.com/Suzanne_Archibald

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by In Aeternum

ok.....so now the VFX doesnt even use discs of any kind......
I KNOW athe VFX-SD uses 3.5's......but thats not the board Im asking about.......Ive gotten every response possible about the VFX........"it does not use 3.5's it uses a special disc"....."it does use 3.5's"........and now......"it doesnt even have a disc drive"!
can anybody give me the exact info as to what sort of disc drive the VFD has.......not the VFX-SD
Thanks,
~Ashe

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by In Aeternum

Thanks Suzanne.......
The VFX board Im looking at is not the VFX-SD.........its the older VFX....and it does in fact have some sort of a disc drive....IVe only seen a picture of it so I cant tell what sort of drive it is......I would assume its a 3.5......but I have heard that it may take some weird specialized disc such as the way the old Roland S-10 uses those wacky mini disc type things.........
yea...this is confusing
~Ashe
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 10:08 AM
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

At 01:17 PM 6/19/01, you wrote:
>ok.....so now the VFX doesnt even use discs of any kind......
>
>I KNOW athe VFX-SD uses 3.5's......but thats not the board Im asking
>about.......Ive gotten every response possible about the VFX........"it
>does not use 3.5's it uses a special disc"....."it does use
>3.5's"........and now......"it doesnt even have a disc drive"!
>
>
>can anybody give me the exact info as to what sort of disc drive the VFD
>has.......not the VFX-SD


The *VFX* doesn't have a disc drive at all. The reason you've gotten
conflicting answers is because to many people here, VFX is taken as the
series, and to most that means the VFX-SD when 'what disc does it use' is
asked. Since the original VFX lacks a drive, the question implies that 'it
uses a disc, but what kind', which would mean the VFX-SD.


So the answer is, the VFX doesn't use discs.


--
Listen to my Music at :
http://www.mp3.com/Suzanne_Archibald or
http://www.musicbuilder.com/Suzanne_Archibald



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



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by In Aeternum

Ok.......looks like on the old model of the VFX a 3.5 drive was optional........so some have them and some do not......that explains some of the confusion.......the VFX also had an option for some sort of cartridge thingy to load in new sonds or something like that.........who knows
Id rather buy the VFX SD anyway haha
;
Thanks for the info guys and sorry for the drama
~Ashe

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by Bill Wilcox

Let's not perpetuate or escalate the confusion here.  There is no such thing as a "standard" 3.5" floppy disk.  There are "double density" and "high density" 3.5" floppy disks (diskette's actually).  The VFX-SD and SD1 both use "double density" 3.5" floppy disks/diskettes, which are still readily available.  Not trying to be nit-picky, just trying to keep the confusion to a managable level.  Thanks!

>>> "Todd Bryant" <todd_bryant@...> 06/19 1:53 PM >>>
the VFX-SD uses standard 3.5" floppy disks.  I have one and I am telling you this for sure.  The format however is not a DOS format which means that the files cannot be read on your computer and vice versa.

T.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: In Aeternum 
  To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 1:17 PM
  Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs


  ok.....so now the VFX doesnt even use discs of any kind......

  I KNOW athe VFX-SD uses 3.5's......but thats not the board Im asking about.......Ive gotten every response possible about the VFX........"it does not use 3.5's it uses a special disc"....."it does use 3.5's"........and now......"it doesnt even have a disc drive"!


  can anybody give me the exact info as to what sort of disc drive the VFD has.......not the VFX-SD


  Thanks,
  ~Ashe



        Yahoo! Groups Sponsor 
       
       

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



  Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by Todd Bryant

the VFX-SD uses standard 3.5" floppy disks. I have one and I am telling you this for sure. The format however is not a DOS format which means that the files cannot be read on your computer and vice versa.
T.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 1:17 PM
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

ok.....so now the VFX doesnt even use discs of any kind......
I KNOW athe VFX-SD uses 3.5's......but thats not the board Im asking about.......Ive gotten every response possible about the VFX........"it does not use 3.5's it uses a special disc"....."it does use 3.5's"........and now......"it doesnt even have a disc drive"!
can anybody give me the exact info as to what sort of disc drive the VFD has.......not the VFX-SD
Thanks,
~Ashe


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



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by chris groce

Ashe,

    The "VFX" never had a disc drive, It does use sound cartridges. When 
they came out with the "VFX-SD" that is when they added the sequencer and 
the disc drive (hints -SD). I have owned both of them. I would buy the 
VFX-SD if I were you, it's just a lot more versatile and mechanically built 
better than the "VFX".

-Chris

>From: "In Aeternum" <aeternumrecordings@...>
>Reply-To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>To: <Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs
>Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001 10:59:10 -0700
>
>
>   Ok.......looks like on the old model of the VFX a 3.5 drive was 
>optional........so some have them and some do not......that explains some 
>of the confusion.......the VFX also had an option for some sort of 
>cartridge thingy to load in new sonds or something like that.........who 
>knows
>
>   Id rather buy the VFX SD anyway haha
>
>
>   Thanks for the info guys and sorry for the drama
>
>
>   ~Ashe
>
>

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by Bill Wilcox

Working from a photo could be causing the confusion.  I have seen VFX's with the cartridge slot in the same position (just in front of the mod wheel and pitch bend wheel) as the disk drive slot is located on the VFX-SD and SD1.  Compare photos of each carefully, this may be the problem....

>>> "In Aeternum" <aeternumrecordings@...> 06/19 12:48 PM >>>
Thanks Suzanne.......

The VFX board Im looking at is not the VFX-SD.........its the older VFX....and it does in fact have some sort of a disc drive....IVe only seen a picture of it so I cant tell what sort of drive it is......I would assume its a 3.5......but I have heard that it may take some weird specialized disc such as the way the old Roland S-10 uses those wacky mini disc type things.........

yea...this is confusing

~Ashe
Show quoted textHide quoted text
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Suzanne Archibald 
  To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 10:08 AM
  Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs


  At 01:17 PM 6/19/01, you wrote:
  >ok.....so now the VFX doesnt even use discs of any kind......
  >
  >I KNOW athe VFX-SD uses 3.5's......but thats not the board Im asking 
  >about.......Ive gotten every response possible about the VFX........"it 
  >does not use 3.5's it uses a special disc"....."it does use 
  >3.5's"........and now......"it doesnt even have a disc drive"!
  >
  >
  >can anybody give me the exact info as to what sort of disc drive the VFD 
  >has.......not the VFX-SD


  The *VFX* doesn't have a disc drive at all. The reason you've gotten 
  conflicting answers is because to many  people here, VFX is taken as the 
  series, and to most that means the VFX-SD when 'what disc does it use' is 
  asked. Since the original VFX lacks a drive, the question implies that 'it 
  uses a disc, but what kind', which would mean the VFX-SD.


  So the answer is, the VFX doesn't use discs.


  -- 
  Listen to my Music at :
  http://www.mp3.com/Suzanne_Archibald                   or
  http://www.musicbuilder.com/Suzanne_Archibald 


        Yahoo! Groups Sponsor 
       
       

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



  Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by Sixten

Hi Bill,

Naaah ... you aren't nit-picky at all, nor is this my intention.  Just
wanted to add that you are right the VFX-SD and SD1 both use "double
density" 3.5", but never the less I always use good quality "high density"
disks.  I know it's absolutely of no greater value, but simply because you
can't find DD's anymore in this region.  The synth doesn't really make any
difference between DD's and HD's.  It formats both the same way.

Besides ... for people who don't know the trick yet (I guess you all do, but
you'll never know) : you might trick your computer from thinking a HD is a
DD by overtaping the empty hole (yes ... with ordinary tape).  That way it
recognises the disk as a 720Kb disk (Double Density disk).

This trick USED to be a good trick on old computer having only 720Kb
disc-drives.  I guess these are getting obsolete though.

Sixten
http://www.sektor21.com
Show quoted textHide quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Wilcox [mailto:bwilcox@...]
Sent: dinsdag 19 juni 2001 20:50
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs


Let's not perpetuate or escalate the confusion here.  There is no such thing
as a "standard" 3.5" floppy disk.  There are "double density" and "high
density" 3.5" floppy disks (diskette's actually).  The VFX-SD and SD1 both
use "double density" 3.5" floppy disks/diskettes, which are still readily
available.  Not trying to be nit-picky, just trying to keep the confusion to
a managable level.  Thanks!

>>> "Todd Bryant" <todd_bryant@...> 06/19 1:53 PM >>>
the VFX-SD uses standard 3.5" floppy disks.  I have one and I am telling you
this for sure.  The format however is not a DOS format which means that the
files cannot be read on your computer and vice versa.

T.

Re: RE: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by Bill Wilcox

Interesting.  I tried once to use an HD disk in my version 3.0 SD1 and it rejected the disk.  I have no problem finding the DD disks.  The large office supply stores (Office Depot, Office Max) carry them, and probably sell them by mail order as well.

>>> "Sixten" <Sixten.Tollet@...> 06/19 2:33 PM >>>
Hi Bill,

Naaah ... you aren't nit-picky at all, nor is this my intention.  Just
wanted to add that you are right the VFX-SD and SD1 both use "double
density" 3.5", but never the less I always use good quality "high density"
disks.  I know it's absolutely of no greater value, but simply because you
can't find DD's anymore in this region.  The synth doesn't really make any
difference between DD's and HD's.  It formats both the same way.

Besides ... for people who don't know the trick yet (I guess you all do, but
you'll never know) : you might trick your computer from thinking a HD is a
DD by overtaping the empty hole (yes ... with ordinary tape).  That way it
recognises the disk as a 720Kb disk (Double Density disk).

This trick USED to be a good trick on old computer having only 720Kb
disc-drives.  I guess these are getting obsolete though.

Sixten
http://www.sektor21.com
Show quoted textHide quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Wilcox [mailto:bwilcox@...m] 
Sent: dinsdag 19 juni 2001 20:50
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com 
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs


Let's not perpetuate or escalate the confusion here.  There is no such thing
as a "standard" 3.5" floppy disk.  There are "double density" and "high
density" 3.5" floppy disks (diskette's actually).  The VFX-SD and SD1 both
use "double density" 3.5" floppy disks/diskettes, which are still readily
available.  Not trying to be nit-picky, just trying to keep the confusion to
a managable level.  Thanks!

>>> "Todd Bryant" <todd_bryant@...> 06/19 1:53 PM >>>
the VFX-SD uses standard 3.5" floppy disks.  I have one and I am telling you
this for sure.  The format however is not a DOS format which means that the
files cannot be read on your computer and vice versa.

T.




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

 

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

Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] VFX discs

2001-06-19 by Suzanne Archibald

At 01:48 PM 6/19/01, you wrote:
>Thanks Suzanne.......
>
>The VFX board Im looking at is not the VFX-SD.........its the older 
>VFX....and it does in fact have some sort of a disc drive....IVe only seen 
>a picture of it so I cant tell what sort of drive it is......I would 
>assume its a 3.5......but I have heard that it may take some weird 
>specialized disc such as the way the old Roland S-10 uses those wacky mini 
>disc type things.........
>


There was a VFX upgrade that added the disc drive (and probably the 
sequencer board at the same time) so in essence what you're looking at is 
probably basically a VFX-SD even if it doesn't say so on the front panel.

Its possible that its a VFX + drive, but not sequencer, though I suspect 
thats probably a fairly rare combination, as the sequencer upgrade was 
probably more common.


-- 
Listen to my Music at :
http://www.mp3.com/Suzanne_Archibald                   or
http://www.musicbuilder.com/Suzanne_Archibald

Move to quarantaine

This moves the raw source file on disk only. The archive index is not changed automatically, so you still need to run a manual refresh afterward.