Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

Does anyone know where I can find a VFX 2.3 PROM image file ?  Thanks.

TO: VFX List Subscribers <b>AND VENDORS</b>

Seems Route66 is the only place to get this OS.  My inquiries to 
them haven't been very helpful...

Heck, I'd settle for an honest description of improvements that VFX 
OS 2.30 will bring me over my current OS.  However, no one seems to 
be able to produce this information ... very odd!

The FAQ of this list (curiously offered by someone apparently from 
Beloit, WI [mishon53511 > zipcode 53511] >> Route66Studios ?) reads 
as follows:

"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."

IMHO this sounds like a sales come-on.  How about some 
details?  :rolleyes:  There must be some sort of "release notes" 
available for the various OS versions of these boards.  Personally, 
I'm not parting with my $ based on a vague description like that.  
Am I getting new effects or not?  Am I just buying a fix for a 
glitch that I'll probably never incur?  Until known I'll stick with 
what I've got.

My 2 cents...


--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "bob_at_work_2000" 
<tttsystems@e...> wrote:
>
> Does anyone know where I can find a VFX 2.3 PROM image file ?  
Thanks.
>

There was a time when Ensoniq repair shops exchanged the ROMs for free.
Unfortunately Ensoniq does not exist any more and this option has
gone... 
Maybe Beats+Bytes can help. Unfortunately their website
http://www.beatsbytes.de is in German. But if you send an email to
mailto:kontakt@....
I remember to have asked them for an exchange and I think it was in the
same price range as Route66 but I'm not sure.

My considerations were pretty much the same than yours an so was my
conclusion...
I've never seen any description of new features in the OS updates and I
believe there is a simple reason to that: there is none.

Hans



-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] Im Auftrag von b1114p
Gesendet: Dienstag, 31. Januar 2006 19:02
An: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Betreff: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Looking for VFX 2.3 OS PROM Image


TO: VFX List Subscribers <b>AND VENDORS</b>

Seems Route66 is the only place to get this OS.  My inquiries to 
them haven't been very helpful...

Heck, I'd settle for an honest description of improvements that VFX 
OS 2.30 will bring me over my current OS.  However, no one seems to 
be able to produce this information ... very odd!

The FAQ of this list (curiously offered by someone apparently from 
Beloit, WI [mishon53511 > zipcode 53511] >> Route66Studios ?) reads 
as follows:

"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."

IMHO this sounds like a sales come-on.  How about some 
details?  :rolleyes:  There must be some sort of "release notes" 
available for the various OS versions of these boards.  Personally, 
I'm not parting with my $ based on a vague description like that.  
Am I getting new effects or not?  Am I just buying a fix for a 
glitch that I'll probably never incur?  Until known I'll stick with 
what I've got.

My 2 cents...


--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "bob_at_work_2000" 
<tttsystems@e...> wrote:
>
> Does anyone know where I can find a VFX 2.3 PROM image file ?
Thanks.
>







 
Yahoo! Groups Links

Bob at work and Hans have some patience and some faith, I can't just 
spout this off the top of my head I have to read the addemdum.

1.Changes were made to the master page pitch bend held feature.
2.Pitch table cartridges.
3.New effect- Chorus and Reverb with distortion.
4.Selecting sounds and corrections to the VFX MIDI Implementation    
Specifiaction.

System pitch bend range:
  A new range of values, OOH to 12H, has been added to the system 
pitch bend range parameter. The "H" siffix on the semitone value 
indicates that the system PITCH BEND HELD mode is active. In this 
mode, only keys thta are actually being held down will be affected by 
the pitch bend wheel. The original parameter values, 00 to 12 with no 
suffix will continue to act as they always have.  More details in the 
addendum

Pitch table carts:
A new way of using pitch tables allows you to switch between differnt 
system pitch tables in performance situations.
This is done by saving the cart to a pitch table cart, this will 
allow you to install new system pitch tables without affecting the 
sound you are playing. More details in the addendum

New Effect
A new effect called DIST+CHORUS+REVB which combs the familiar Chorus 
and Reverb effect with Distortion has been added. On the parameter 
page the waveshape has been replaced by the OVERDRIVE parameter. The 
chorus modulation waveshape for this  effect is permanently set to 
SIN. Overdrive levels can be adjusted by the right and left pan 
controls. More details in the addendum

Selecting sounds:
Notes that when selecting programs on the sounds bank pages, the 
display will go blank for slightly longer time than in earlier ver 
because of the way the effects are handled.

Corrections to MIDI
Numerous changes have been made to the MIDI Implementation spec and 
are available in the 2.50 revised VFX manual.

Rich at WWW.ROUTE66STUDIOS.COM




--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "Hans Artmann" <hans-
artmann@t...> wrote:
>
> There was a time when Ensoniq repair shops exchanged the ROMs for 
free.
> Unfortunately Ensoniq does not exist any more and this option has
> gone... 
> Maybe Beats+Bytes can help. Unfortunately their website
> http://www.beatsbytes.de is in German. But if you send an email to
> mailto:kontakt@b...
> I remember to have asked them for an exchange and I think it was in 
the
> same price range as Route66 but I'm not sure.
> 
> My considerations were pretty much the same than yours an so was my
> conclusion...
> I've never seen any description of new features in the OS updates 
and I

> believe there is a simple reason to that: there is none.
> 
> Hans
> 
> 
> 
> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] Im Auftrag von b1114p
> Gesendet: Dienstag, 31. Januar 2006 19:02
> An: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> Betreff: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Looking for VFX 2.3 OS PROM Image
> 
> 
> TO: VFX List Subscribers <b>AND VENDORS</b>
> 
> Seems Route66 is the only place to get this OS.  My inquiries to 
> them haven't been very helpful...
> 
> Heck, I'd settle for an honest description of improvements that VFX 
> OS 2.30 will bring me over my current OS.  However, no one seems to 
> be able to produce this information ... very odd!
> 
> The FAQ of this list (curiously offered by someone apparently from 
> Beloit, WI [mishon53511 > zipcode 53511] >> Route66Studios ?) reads 
> as follows:
> 
> "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."
> 
> IMHO this sounds like a sales come-on.  How about some 
> details?  :rolleyes:  There must be some sort of "release notes" 
> available for the various OS versions of these boards.  Personally, 
> I'm not parting with my $ based on a vague description like that.  
> Am I getting new effects or not?  Am I just buying a fix for a 
> glitch that I'll probably never incur?  Until known I'll stick with 
> what I've got.
> 
> My 2 cents...
> 
> 
> --- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "bob_at_work_2000" 
> <tttsystems@e...> wrote:
> >
> > Does anyone know where I can find a VFX 2.3 PROM image file ?
> Thanks.
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>

You'll have to blame me for that, not Bob.  

I guess it surprised me that the rundown on this info wasn't already 
part of the forum, or that no one had asked prior...

Thanks for the info on the 2.30 OS version - I now have a point of 
reference by which to consider an upgrade...



--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "Richard" <mishon66@a...> wrote:

>
> Bob at work and Hans have some patience and some faith, I can't just 
> spout this off the top of my head I have to read the addemdum.

That's fine - It wasn't my intent to be impatient with the users of 
this group - but I guess I behaved in that fashion.

While I probably shouldn't compare the level of support of this 
synth with what is currently being done for other units marketed in 
recent years, I will.  I am a bit puzzled that I would have to pay 
someone $28 for an OS update (if there was a need to update, or even 
if I merely wanted to update) just because we're talking about 
firmware on EPROMS and not Flash!  Parts are parts, but I find it 
hard to believe that proprietary rights have been assigned to the OS 
for a synth that was produced 9 years ago by a now-defunct company 
and that one vendor has a complete lock on this.  Cripe, even the 
latest Fizmo OS is available for download... for free!


--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, <swomp_rabbit@...> wrote:
>
> 
> B1114p:
> 
> First of all, I'm sure most of us can relate to your frustration. 
I am not saying by any means you don't deserve an answer from 
someone (vendor) selling the parts you require but do keep in mind 
that we all are in possession of equipment which no longer has a 
vendor backing it up. And that has been the case for a number of 
years now. It is, at best, obsolete equipment from that standpoint 
but for those of us who still have operating units - it is still one 
of the best synths ever produced in its class. And when any of us 
has problems we have to pretty much depend on each other for 
possible answers. There is a lot of excellent expertise available 
here.
> 
>  
> 
> Fortunately there are still a few vendors who have chosen to 
maintain an inventory of Ensoniq parts. I understand your 
frustration but "if" the folks who frequent this Yahoo group can't 
help you or direct you, then you can pretty much be assured you 
probably won't get a solution to your problem. Sometimes it takes a 
week or so for the right person to see your message. I am not 
saying "all" the answers are here but for the most part, you will 
probably get some help.
> 
>  
> 
> Some of us here are original owners and are in possession of 
documentation that might be helpful to new owners who have purchased 
their units from other individuals. We understand the situation and 
keep an eye out on the group in case someone asks a question we 
might help with. Every once in a while one or the other of us can 
help someone.
>