Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

I am using the dual damper pedal for the footswitch jack. (Musician 
Friend still has these, by the way). I now have operation of FS1, 
too. I was using both FS1 and FS2 to mirror the Patch Select buttons.

The options are in the Master Menu.

Well, an option for FS1 is called Advance. With each press of FS1 the 
VFX will sequentially select the Presets, Internal then Cartridge and 
back to Internal ad infinitum.

There is another option for FS1 that is not in my Owners Manual. It 
is call *STEP* (asterisks included in the name). Anyone know what 
this does? I suspect it is for step recording, but I don't have the 
VFX with me.

Thanks,

Paul

Hello, Paul.

Yes, I believe it does have to do with step input when you are sequencing on 
the VFX-SD.  I have used the double pedals for many years--it's one of the 
main reasons I still use the VFX--not too many other keyboards have the 
advance pedal option, and are as easy to program as the VFX.  I play in the 
pits of several local theatre groups each year.  I frequently play "second 
keyboard"--which means I might support the pianist by filling in important 
orchestral instruments from the score.  Or there might be a book for a 
synthesizer provided--with program changes that are just too rapid to do 
with the hands.  This pedal system has allowed me to program entire 
shows--up to 200 changes--sequentially--and store them on disk or 
cartridges--I really recommend using the "advance" feature for anyone who 
plays live and needs really quick changes!  Cheers!  Ellen


>From: "Paul" <paostby@...>
>Reply-To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Dual Fooswitch options for FS1
>Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2003 03:49:54 -0000
>
>I am using the dual damper pedal for the footswitch jack. (Musician
>Friend still has these, by the way). I now have operation of FS1,
>too. I was using both FS1 and FS2 to mirror the Patch Select buttons.
>
>The options are in the Master Menu.
>
>Well, an option for FS1 is called Advance. With each press of FS1 the
>VFX will sequentially select the Presets, Internal then Cartridge and
>back to Internal ad infinitum.
>
>There is another option for FS1 that is not in my Owners Manual. It
>is call *STEP* (asterisks included in the name). Anyone know what
>this does? I suspect it is for step recording, but I don't have the
>VFX with me.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Paul
>

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Hi guys (and girls, too)

I bought a 2nd-hand VFX-SD which I believe has been upgraded to SD1.
The only problem is that the disks the previous owner provided have a
scratch on them so I can't seem to load from them. I tried a number of
sites for the version it seems to accept, and even ordered Vers. 2
thinking I could possibly upgrade afterward. However, even this disk
does not work. 

The 'error message' says that the version is incompatible with the
system.

Can anyone provide me with a solution to this problem? If so, I welcome
your prompt reply so I can get back to work as soon as possible.

For your interest, I am a pianist at a resort hotel in Bermuda. I use
the Ensoniq to programme and play my background accompaniment. I know
there are other sequencers much smaller and lighter, but as they say,
familiarity breeds contentment.

Best wishes,
Michael Fox

=====
Suite 172
48 Par-la-ville Road
Hamilton, HM 11
BERMUDA

441-799-4573

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there's a way to UPGRADE to SD-1 ???
using what , firmware or chip replacements ???

if anyone knows , reply back (route66?)

tim sullivan

On Tuesday, September 2, 2003, at 02:20  PM, Michael in Bermuda wrote:
> Hi guys (and girls, too)
> I bought a 2nd-hand VFX-SD which I believe has been upgraded to SD1.

I'm not sure if this can be done. The reason why I thought it had been
is because the external housing says that the keyboard I have is a
VFX-SD, but when I turn it on, the welcome screen says SD-1.

I would be interested to know if it CAN be upgraded with disks or
chips. I have no problem playing the synth or a piano, but I never
really had the time to deal with the technological features of the
keyboard.

Michael

=====
Suite 172
48 Par-la-ville Road
Hamilton, HM 11
BERMUDA

441-799-4573

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com

I understand that you are more interested in what sequencer operating system
would fit your VFX. Look at the sounds you have: if you've got e.g. the
MEGAPIANO you have an SD-1. Then you should look for the suitable OS - 4.1
for the SD-1 or 2.1 for the SD. There's still some dependency of the OS on
the EPROM. To find out what you have:
     1. Press and hold (PRESETS)
     2. Press the (MASTER) button
     3. Display = SOFTWARE - ROM=X.XX KPC=X.XX
     4. Release both buttons

Don't care about KPC (thats the keyboard firmware), for the SD ROM= should
say 2.00 to be able to load the sequencer OS 2.10, for the SD-1 it should
say 4.10 (maybe 4.00 would also work?). Route66 have downloads of current
OS's and even supply EPROMS to upgrade older versions:
http://hometown.aol.com/mishon66/ensoniqpage.html


Regards,
Hans

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael in Bermuda [mailto:michael_3460@...]
Sent: Mittwoch, 3. September 2003 16:27
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Upgrading to SD1


I'm not sure if this can be done. The reason why I thought it had been
is because the external housing says that the keyboard I have is a
VFX-SD, but when I turn it on, the welcome screen says SD-1.

I would be interested to know if it CAN be upgraded with disks or
chips. I have no problem playing the synth or a piano, but I never
really had the time to deal with the technological features of the
keyboard.

Michael

=====
Suite 172
48 Par-la-ville Road
Hamilton, HM 11
BERMUDA

441-799-4573

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com


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I've heard about installing an SD-1 motherboard into a VFX-SD.
This could have been done with your keyboard.

Make a joyful noise,
Nathan

------------------------------------------------------------

For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the
dry?
-Jesus

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Thanks, Ellen. This sight doesn't seem to get much traffic, so I 
appreciate your response. It seems we are the only ones that know 
anything about the dual footswitch option. My owners manual doesn't 
even mention this option, so it must be an addition to a newer OS. 

I, too, have used the advanced footswitch options since I purchased 
the VFX-SDII in 1993. Those like us who perform, rather than sit at a 
computer at home, tend to need control-type options.

Paul

I think you might be able to cludge two pedals into the one socket by
using a stereo to double mono "Y" cable.

Make a joyful noise,
Nathan

------------------------------------------------------------

For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the
dry?
-Jesus

________________________________________________________________
The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!
Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!
Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

yes
i've done it this way forever

radioshack sells a stereo 1/4"  male  - to  - Y SPLIT  2 -  1/4" females

if i remember correctly  , it's a headphone splitter
so therefore one of your pedal wires plugs need to be refitted
to the ring-sleeve section (rather than the tip-sleeve)

i havent had to fix mine for years , so this is via memory

On Tuesday, September 9, 2003, at 02:10  AM, Nathan I Smutz wrote:

> I think you might be able to cludge two pedals into the one socket by
> using a stereo to double mono "Y" cable.
>
> Make a joyful noise,
> Nathan
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
>

Yes, the jack is a stereo jack, meaning 2 signals. A dual damper 
pedal has a stereo jack. I've used this since I got the VFX. The 
wiring wasn't the issue I have come across.

In the Master Menu, you have options as to what (footswitches) FS1 
(and FS2) will do. One of the FS1 options is called *STEP*, with the 
asterisks in the function name. My manual does not give a description 
of what this function does. I must have a newer OS. My assumption is 
that this is for step recording in the sequencer.

In a message dated 9/9/2003 1:02:45 PM Eastern Standard Time, paostby@... 
writes:

> My assumption is 
> that this is for step recording in the sequencer.
> 
Greetings.  I don't have my manuals in front of me either and I use the SD1 
32-voice, and the TS keyboards, so I'm not sure if all tlhe OS is the same for 
the various models.  I do know that another feature of the dual pedal is to 
incrementally move up and down through the presets in a performance. I can't 
remember if that was called STEP. I only used that feature rarely, when I had to 
quickly move from preset to preset without lifting my hands off the keys. 

The feature of the double pedal that was the coolest of all was to access 
variations of sounds and presets by setting the pedals to respond to Patch L 
(left) or Patch R (right),  

I wrote articles about this in the Transoniq Hacker years ago.  If interested 
in these and other useful features of the double pedal, fire an email my way 
and I'll try to dig out the file and email that on to any of you.   
Warmly yours, Frank Fortunato 

Frank Fortunato
OM International Music Director
Coordinator, Heart Sounds International 
PO Box 444, Tyrone, GA  30290
tel:  770-486-8702
www.worship-arts-network.com 
www.heart-sounds.org

In a message dated 9/9/2003 2:00:33 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
gerenm@... writes:

> However, I'm wondering if those patch select functions can be accessed via 
> MIDI.

Not to my knowledge. The patch select function is a physical, not digital 
signal, and involves manually depressing the key to access the various patch 
options.  One workaround would be to save different settings of the sounds and 
send program change commands by midi. 

Frank Fortunato  

Frank Fortunato
OM International Music Director
Coordinator, Heart Sounds International 
PO Box 444, Tyrone, GA  30290
tel:  770-486-8702
www.worship-arts-network.com 
www.heart-sounds.org

Hello, Paul.

Yes, the footswitch is invaluable.  I have had fun programming one of the 
pedals for patch select, and redesigning the patch, so I could have a quick 
"change" in programming on the fly, esp. if it comes up frequently in the 
music.  Much fun.

My VFX-SD is a 1989 model, and my manual does go into detail about the pedal 
options...It's version 2.1, I think...

Anyway, nice to hear from you.  I am using cartridges more now.  Do you know 
where I could get a couple of write-able cartidges for the VFX (Eprom type)? 
  I would really like someone who reads this to help if they can....
Thanks, Ellen


>From: "Paul" <paostby@...>
>Reply-To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Dual Fooswitch options for FS1
>Date: Sun, 07 Sep 2003 17:39:08 -0000
>
>Thanks, Ellen. This sight doesn't seem to get much traffic, so I
>appreciate your response. It seems we are the only ones that know
>anything about the dual footswitch option. My owners manual doesn't
>even mention this option, so it must be an addition to a newer OS.
>
>I, too, have used the advanced footswitch options since I purchased
>the VFX-SDII in 1993. Those like us who perform, rather than sit at a
>computer at home, tend to need control-type options.
>
>Paul
>

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Cool!!  Can anyone vouch for this--anyone actually ever do this?
Ellen


>From: Nathan I Smutz <n.smutz@...>
>Reply-To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Dual Fooswitch options for FS1
>Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2003 23:10:22 -0700
>
>I think you might be able to cludge two pedals into the one socket by
>using a stereo to double mono "Y" cable.
>
>Make a joyful noise,
>Nathan
>
>------------------------------------------------------------
>
>For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the
>dry?
>-Jesus
>
>________________________________________________________________
>The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!
>Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!
>Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

_________________________________________________________________
Send and receive larger attachments with Hotmail Extra Storage.   
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Ellen, use a Hosa YPP-117. This will let you plug in the two 
footswitches. Even Guitar Center has these in stock, sometimes. Go to 
the link below and scroll down to the pic of YPP-117.

http://www.hosatech.com/y_cables_index.html

I've used this feature since Day 1. I have 4 alternates for every 
sound and use the FS1/FS2 footpedals for the Patch Select feature.
Paul

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "Ellen Rizzo" 
<pipermusic@h...> wrote:
> Cool!!  Can anyone vouch for this--anyone actually ever do this?
> Ellen
> 
> 
> >From: Nathan I Smutz <n.smutz@j...>
> >Reply-To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> >To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Dual Fooswitch options for FS1
> >Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2003 23:10:22 -0700
> >
> >I think you might be able to cludge two pedals into the one socket 
by

> >using a stereo to double mono "Y" cable.
> >
> >Make a joyful noise,
> >Nathan
>