Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

Okay, well... I picked up a CR2032 (the one I desoldered was BR2032, 
same diff) however, in desoldering, I broke the battery connector.  
It was soldered directly to the battery (God smiled on me in not 
having the lithium leak all over me in the process of 
desoldering...), and I couldn't keep the connector in tact.  in lieu 
of wasting money on a new battery connector (can't find one anywhere 
but route 66, and I don't NEED a new battery...) can I just solder 
project wire to the battery (one to +, one to -) and solder those 
leads to the now-empty terminals on the board?  Is one specifically 
meant for each?  From above, keys facing me, it looks a little like 
this...

   *  (           )  *      

where * are the terminals on the board, and ( ) is the spot where 
the battery holder was.  you seem to know what you're talking about, 
and I don't want to fry this sweet new toy of mine, so any help you 
can offer (pics, great) would be much appreciated.

-jsp

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, Claus <clauzii@...> wrote:
>
> Get a battery of the same type - disconnect the machine, desolder 
battery, solder in new battery.... done :)
> 
> If You need pics I can make some for You...:)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> From: justin_s_pope[mailto:justin_s_pope@...]
> Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 9:38 PM -07:00
> To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: MIDI connectivity issue
> 
> 
> In response to Claus, I don't have a VFX-SD, so I don't believe I 
have a 
> sequencer to have an OS of. It's just a plain ol' VFX, which is 
fine, 
> because I've got enough trouble understanding this one!! :-) In 
response 
> to Hans, thanks for the info. I got FreeLoad, and I think it 
tested my buffer 
> size for me, although I'm not positive. In any case, WHY it works 
now isn't 
> as important as THAT it does. I actually think I just forgot to 
reset the 

> SYSEX: ON/OFF every time I restarted the unit. 
> 
> Still need help with that battery, though... where are these great 
> technicians that you all seem to find to help you with your boards?
> 
> -jsp
>

I got a little battery holder for a few $ from Radio
Shack and soldered it in, works fine, and a snap to
replace battery now.

--- justin_s_pope <justin_s_pope@...> wrote:

> Okay, well... I picked up a CR2032 (the one I
> desoldered was BR2032, 
> same diff) however, in desoldering, I broke the
> battery connector.  
> It was soldered directly to the battery (God smiled
> on me in not 
> having the lithium leak all over me in the process
> of 
> desoldering...), and I couldn't keep the connector
> in tact.  in lieu 
> of wasting money on a new battery connector (can't
> find one anywhere 
> but route 66, and I don't NEED a new battery...) can
> I just solder 
> project wire to the battery (one to +, one to -) and
> solder those 
> leads to the now-empty terminals on the board?  Is
> one specifically 
> meant for each?  From above, keys facing me, it
> looks a little like 
> this...
> 
>    *  (           )  *      
> 
> where * are the terminals on the board, and ( ) is
> the spot where 
> the battery holder was.  you seem to know what
> you're talking about, 
> and I don't want to fry this sweet new toy of mine,
> so any help you 
> can offer (pics, great) would be much appreciated.
> 
> -jsp
> 
> --- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, Claus
> <clauzii@...> wrote:
> >
> > Get a battery of the same type - disconnect the
> machine, desolder 
> battery, solder in new battery.... done :)
> > 
> > If You need pics I can make some for You...:)
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > From: justin_s_pope[mailto:justin_s_pope@...]
> > Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 9:38 PM -07:00
> > To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: MIDI connectivity
> issue
> > 
> > 
> > In response to Claus, I don't have a VFX-SD, so I
> don't believe I 
> have a 
> > sequencer to have an OS of. It's just a plain ol'
> VFX, which is 
> fine, 
> > because I've got enough trouble understanding this
> one!! :-) In 
> response 
> > to Hans, thanks for the info. I got FreeLoad, and
> I think it 
> tested my buffer 
> > size for me, although I'm not positive. In any
> case, WHY it works 
> now isn't 
> > as important as THAT it does. I actually think I
> just forgot to 
> reset the 
> > SYSEX: ON/OFF every time I restarted the unit. 
> > 
> > Still need help with that battery, though... where
> are these great 
> > technicians that you all seem to find to help you
> with your boards?
> > 
> > -jsp
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com

In NJ we must have the worst RadioShacks (I used to work at one, so 
I can say that with all knowledge), because they only seem to have 
battery enclosures and connectors for your "regular" alkalines.  
I've made a search, and I can't even find one on RS.com, so I may 
risk the hard-wire...  I'll drive out to PA this weekend and check 
out a few there, but I'm quite anxious to start saving my patches, 
and it's coming down to crunch time.

I must say, you are one helpful bunch of people.  Big thank yous to 
all.

-jsp

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, Rich Horton <rhorton21@...> 
wrote:

>
> I got a little battery holder for a few $ from Radio
> Shack and soldered it in, works fine, and a snap to
> replace battery now.
> 
> --- justin_s_pope <justin_s_pope@...> wrote:
> 
> > Okay, well... I picked up a CR2032 (the one I
> > desoldered was BR2032, 
> > same diff) however, in desoldering, I broke the
> > battery connector.  
> > It was soldered directly to the battery (God smiled
> > on me in not 
> > having the lithium leak all over me in the process
> > of 
> > desoldering...), and I couldn't keep the connector
> > in tact.  in lieu 
> > of wasting money on a new battery connector (can't
> > find one anywhere 
> > but route 66, and I don't NEED a new battery...) can
> > I just solder 
> > project wire to the battery (one to +, one to -) and
> > solder those 
> > leads to the now-empty terminals on the board?  Is
> > one specifically 
> > meant for each?  From above, keys facing me, it
> > looks a little like 
> > this...
> > 
> >    *  (           )  *      
> > 
> > where * are the terminals on the board, and ( ) is
> > the spot where 
> > the battery holder was.  you seem to know what
> > you're talking about, 
> > and I don't want to fry this sweet new toy of mine,
> > so any help you 
> > can offer (pics, great) would be much appreciated.
> > 
> > -jsp
> > 
> > --- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, Claus
> > <clauzii@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Get a battery of the same type - disconnect the
> > machine, desolder 
> > battery, solder in new battery.... done :)
> > > 
> > > If You need pics I can make some for You...:)
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > From: justin_s_pope[mailto:justin_s_pope@]
> > > Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 9:38 PM -07:00
> > > To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> > > Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: MIDI connectivity
> > issue
> > > 
> > > 
> > > In response to Claus, I don't have a VFX-SD, so I
> > don't believe I 
> > have a 
> > > sequencer to have an OS of. It's just a plain ol'
> > VFX, which is 
> > fine, 
> > > because I've got enough trouble understanding this
> > one!! :-) In 
> > response 
> > > to Hans, thanks for the info. I got FreeLoad, and
> > I think it 
> > tested my buffer 
> > > size for me, although I'm not positive. In any
> > case, WHY it works 
> > now isn't 
> > > as important as THAT it does. I actually think I
> > just forgot to 
> > reset the 
> > > SYSEX: ON/OFF every time I restarted the unit. 
> > > 
> > > Still need help with that battery, though... where
> > are these great 
> > > technicians that you all seem to find to help you
> > with your boards?
> > > 
> > > -jsp
> > >
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
> http://mail.yahoo.com
>

Hi all-

Yeah, I used to work at Rat Shack in High School, yes, I concur, they suck.

I ran into the same problem looking for that same battery holder for my Korg 
Polysix, and alas the Radio Shacks in the Boston north area do not stock the 
item, ended up doing direct solder onto battery and works it fine, although 
securing the battery can be an issue (hope the electrical tape holds!)

If anyone knows an on-line seller for the quatrer sized battery type for our 
VFX's, or even someone like Grainger or somthing we'd all like to hear about 
it, by VFX-SD has the original baterry and I would like to replace it before 
it dies.

-Rob

>From: "justin_s_pope" <justin_s_pope@...>
>Reply-To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: MIDI connectivity issue
>Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2006 03:02:48 -0000
>
>In NJ we must have the worst RadioShacks (I used to work at one, so
>I can say that with all knowledge), because they only seem to have
>battery enclosures and connectors for your "regular" alkalines.
>I've made a search, and I can't even find one on RS.com, so I may
>risk the hard-wire...  I'll drive out to PA this weekend and check
>out a few there, but I'm quite anxious to start saving my patches,
>and it's coming down to crunch time.
>
>I must say, you are one helpful bunch of people.  Big thank yous to
>all.
>
>-jsp
>
>--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, Rich Horton <rhorton21@...>
>wrote:
> >
> > I got a little battery holder for a few $ from Radio
> > Shack and soldered it in, works fine, and a snap to
> > replace battery now.
> >
> > --- justin_s_pope <justin_s_pope@...> wrote:
> >
> > > Okay, well... I picked up a CR2032 (the one I
> > > desoldered was BR2032,
> > > same diff) however, in desoldering, I broke the
> > > battery connector.
> > > It was soldered directly to the battery (God smiled
> > > on me in not
> > > having the lithium leak all over me in the process
> > > of
> > > desoldering...), and I couldn't keep the connector
> > > in tact.  in lieu
> > > of wasting money on a new battery connector (can't
> > > find one anywhere
> > > but route 66, and I don't NEED a new battery...) can
> > > I just solder
> > > project wire to the battery (one to +, one to -) and
> > > solder those
> > > leads to the now-empty terminals on the board?  Is
> > > one specifically
> > > meant for each?  From above, keys facing me, it
> > > looks a little like
> > > this...
> > >
> > >    *  (           )  *
> > >
> > > where * are the terminals on the board, and ( ) is
> > > the spot where
> > > the battery holder was.  you seem to know what
> > > you're talking about,
> > > and I don't want to fry this sweet new toy of mine,
> > > so any help you
> > > can offer (pics, great) would be much appreciated.
> > >
> > > -jsp
> > >
> > > --- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, Claus
> > > <clauzii@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Get a battery of the same type - disconnect the
> > > machine, desolder
> > > battery, solder in new battery.... done :)
> > > >
> > > > If You need pics I can make some for You...:)
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > From: justin_s_pope[mailto:justin_s_pope@]
> > > > Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 9:38 PM -07:00
> > > > To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> > > > Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: MIDI connectivity
> > > issue
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > In response to Claus, I don't have a VFX-SD, so I
> > > don't believe I
> > > have a
> > > > sequencer to have an OS of. It's just a plain ol'
> > > VFX, which is
> > > fine,
> > > > because I've got enough trouble understanding this
> > > one!! :-) In
> > > response
> > > > to Hans, thanks for the info. I got FreeLoad, and
> > > I think it
> > > tested my buffer
> > > > size for me, although I'm not positive. In any
> > > case, WHY it works
> > > now isn't
> > > > as important as THAT it does. I actually think I
> > > just forgot to
> > > reset the
> > > > SYSEX: ON/OFF every time I restarted the unit.
> > > >
> > > > Still need help with that battery, though... where
> > > are these great
> > > > technicians that you all seem to find to help you
> > > with your boards?
> > > >
> > > > -jsp
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> > http://mail.yahoo.com
> >
>
>
>
>
>

Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1\ufffd/min.

For vanilla VFX, I ordered from mouser:
       P/N 639-CR2032 (Sanyo Lithium coin cell)
       P/N 829-2S2032-1 (2025 Size cell Delphy Battery Holders

worked for me.  I don't recall if they have a minimum order, I had
other things to get.

Do yourself a favor, don't solder straight to the cell; or if you do,
at least put on safty goggles and have a fire extinguisher nearby.
The word is these things explode when heated.

You MUST get the polarity right.  Pay attention to the other message
that told you how.

All that really matters is that you get 3 volts.  If you want, you can
solder in some wires and connect to a holder that holds 2 AA cells (in
series to get 3 volts) and mount that with foam tape on the inside.
Be VERY sure to get the polarity right if you try this.  Depending on
what kind of cells you use, you may need to change more often, and the
low battery warning may not be accurate, but if that's the only parts
you have available, it should work.

--> Steve

-- 
Steve Wahl    steve@...

"On this employee survey form, it asks, 'Do you trust your manager?'
If I trust him to do the wrong thing, is that a 'yes'?"

Thanks alot Steve!  I soldered in a AA casing and it works just 
fine.  3 volts and counting.  I'll probably have to change it more 
often, but it is saving my patches long enough to get it to gigs and 
back, so cheers... problem solved!

>
> For vanilla VFX, I ordered from mouser:
>        P/N 639-CR2032 (Sanyo Lithium coin cell)
>        P/N 829-2S2032-1 (2025 Size cell Delphy Battery Holders
> 
> worked for me.  I don't recall if they have a minimum order, I had
> other things to get.
> 
> Do yourself a favor, don't solder straight to the cell; or if you 
do,
> at least put on safty goggles and have a fire extinguisher nearby.
> The word is these things explode when heated.
> 
> You MUST get the polarity right.  Pay attention to the other 
message
> that told you how.
> 
> All that really matters is that you get 3 volts.  If you want, you 
can
> solder in some wires and connect to a holder that holds 2 AA cells 
(in
> series to get 3 volts) and mount that with foam tape on the inside.
> Be VERY sure to get the polarity right if you try this.  Depending 
on
> what kind of cells you use, you may need to change more often, and 
the
> low battery warning may not be accurate, but if that's the only 
parts
> you have available, it should work.
> 
> --> Steve
> 
> -- 
> Steve Wahl    steve@...
> 
> "On this employee survey form, it asks, 'Do you trust your 
manager?'
> If I trust him to do the wrong thing, is that a 'yes'?"
>

>     Posted by: "justin_s_pope" justin_s_pope@... justin_s_pope
>     Date: Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:17 pm (PDT)
> 
> Thanks alot Steve!  I soldered in a AA casing and it works just 
> fine.  3 volts and counting.  I'll probably have to change it more 
> often, but it is saving my patches long enough to get it to gigs and 
> back, so cheers... problem solved!

Justin,

Glad it worked for you.

Just so you know what to expect, one thing that'll probably be
different between the original battery and hacking in two AA cells is
the voltage curve over time, as the batteries age.  

The "Low Battery" warning is probably based on a voltage measurement,
and since the curve won't match what the Ensoniq engineers were
expecting, you could possibly get the low battery warning way before
you really need to replace; or, the battery could drop dead before you
get any warning at all.

And it's easy to imagine that the AA cells could last longer than a
button cell, especially if you used Lithium AA's -- but you likely
used alkaline cells, and I have only the foggiest notion what those
would do (but I suspect they might last longer, also).

--> Steve

-- 
Steve Wahl    steve@...

"The ONLY thing that I really miss is mouse edge flipping and I will
punch Havoc the next time I see him for that." -- Dean Johnson

[ This may get sent twice, I'm having difficulties working around
Yahoo Groups new "features". ]

>     Posted by: "justin_s_pope" justin_s_pope@... justin_s_pope
>     Date: Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:17 pm (PDT)
> 
> Thanks alot Steve!  I soldered in a AA casing and it works just 
> fine.  3 volts and counting.  I'll probably have to change it more 
> often, but it is saving my patches long enough to get it to gigs and 
> back, so cheers... problem solved!

Justin,

Glad it worked for you.

Just so you know what to expect, one thing that'll probably be
different between the original battery and hacking in two AA cells is
the voltage curve over time, as the batteries age.  

The "Low Battery" warning is probably based on a voltage measurement,
and since the curve won't match what the Ensoniq engineers were
expecting, you could possibly get the low battery warning way before
you really need to replace; or, the battery could drop dead before you
get any warning at all.

And it's easy to imagine that the AA cells could last longer than a
button cell, especially if you used Lithium AA's -- but you likely
used alkaline cells, and I have only the foggiest notion what those
would do (but I suspect they might last longer, also).

--> Steve

-- 
Steve Wahl    steve@...

"The ONLY thing that I really miss is mouse edge flipping and I will
punch Havoc the next time I see him for that." -- Dean Johnson

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, Steve Wahl <steve@...> wrote:
>
> >     Posted by: "justin_s_pope" justin_s_pope@... justin_s_pope
> >     Date: Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:17 pm (PDT)
> > 
> > Thanks alot Steve!  I soldered in a AA casing and it works just 
> > fine.  3 volts and counting.  I'll probably have to change it 
more 
> > often, but it is saving my patches long enough to get it to gigs 
and 
> > back, so cheers... problem solved!
> 
> Justin,
> 
> Glad it worked for you.
> 
> Just so you know what to expect, one thing that'll probably be
> different between the original battery and hacking in two AA cells 
is
> the voltage curve over time, as the batteries age.  
> 
> The "Low Battery" warning is probably based on a voltage 
measurement,
> and since the curve won't match what the Ensoniq engineers were
> expecting, you could possibly get the low battery warning way before
> you really need to replace; or, the battery could drop dead before 
you
> get any warning at all.
> 
> And it's easy to imagine that the AA cells could last longer than a
> button cell, especially if you used Lithium AA's -- but you likely
> used alkaline cells, and I have only the foggiest notion what those
> would do (but I suspect they might last longer, also).
> 
> --> Steve
> 
> -- 
> Steve Wahl    steve@...
> 
> "The ONLY thing that I really miss is mouse edge flipping and I will
> punch Havoc the next time I see him for that." -- Dean Johnson
>

I used some R/S AAA rechargable batteries in a holder on my Vanilla 
VFX (Radio Shack was going out of business and these were cheap). It 
appears to work OK. At least the Low Bat warning is no more. Looking 
at the circuit schematics I thought the batteries may even charge 
when the power was on since there is a power connection (+VBAT)in 
between the resistor R6 and diode in the digital section. I traced 
this line back to the analog section where it goes across R89 and is 
dioded to a 12V source. I was hoping this would extend the life of 
the batteries significantly. Do you think this is a good idea?

Steve Ledo

Frank
    I posted this last year but only had a small hand full of VFX 
family members interested, the event last year was good and had a nice 
turn out of local and not so local musicians for the open mic.

This year it is in August and if your in the area and want to attend or 
play contact me directly for more details. I wanted this event to be an 
opportunity for keyboard players and keyboard based groups to get a 
chance to meet up and play live...so far so good.

Rich at Mishon66@...

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "Frank Crawford" <fmc@...> wrote:
>
> Some time ago someone mentioned a get together this summer on a farm 
in Wisconsis.  Whatever happened to that?
>

Hello all, 
  In regard to the meeting on the Farm, I might be interested in 
making the trek up there, but need more information on the distance.  
I am located in Cedar Rapids, IA and depending on the distance, may 
be able to make it up there to do part of my live show.  Now that i 
have both functioning VFX machines, it would be neat to play with 
others that also use the VFX.
  Additionally, maybe it could be some sort of a technical type 
meeting as well; helping those of us who do not mod our boards 
personally, to get some of the mods done to increase stability on our 
boards.  One of my VFX-SD boards still needs the keyboard mod done to 
it.  I would also like to expand the memory on my boards and possibly 
even the battery case thingy to make replacing the battery easier.

Harry Ebbeson III
Ebbeson Management Group