Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

Just saw this on ebay. First look at the price! Not that I'll ever 
sell mine.  Second, I had no idea my VFX-SD2 was rare! Finally and 
most importantly, what a great write-up on this baby - it does us all 
proud! The VFX is still one of the best controillers around.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
ViewItem&item=2574834202&category=29552


dan

> Just saw this on ebay. First look at the price! Not that I'll ever 
> sell mine.  Second, I had no idea my VFX-SD2 was rare! Finally and 
> most importantly, what a great write-up on this baby - it does us all 
> proud! The VFX is still one of the best controillers around.
> 
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2574834202&category=29552

Well, it's a fluorescent display, not LED.  That's why it's so nice on
the eyes, but also why it's not easy to find a replacement today.

Also, anyone know the production numbers for various members of the
VFX family?  I don't think the VFX-SD II was all that rare.  I mean,
my VFX-SD isn't a II, but the two others I've seen were.  And,
although I don't remember being able to upgrade a VFX-SD to a VFX-SD
II, you could upgrade either to an SD-1, which would have included the
MegaPiano Waves.

"Wicked filters"?  I mean, they're OK, but for instance they're not
resonant.  Yet no mention of the transwaves.  I think the writer may
have done a lot of sequencing, but with canned sounds only...

And "never crashed" but "gigged extensively"?  Well, I have to admit
this would make this a rare unit, indeed.  :-)  Especially in light of
the fact that the keyboard mod isn't mentioned, and that was
discovered AFTER the first SD-1's were shipped.

So personally I have to ask myself if I think this is someone who's
done a good writeup, or done a good sales job...

--> Steve

Sorry for the delayed response, but I am new to this list, and a new 
VFX owner.  What must one do to upgrade (hardware wise) from a VFXsd 
to a VFXsdII?  I know the article said this is only done at the 
factory, but someone has to sell an add on board or something, 
right?  Otherwise, I am pretty handy in electronics, and if it is 
not a major job I could do a hardware mod or even proto a new 
board.  If enough people are interested I could even do a limited 
run of the boards professionally.  I have access to a PCB CAD 
program at work.
Scott
--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, Steve Wahl <steve@p...> wrote:
> 
> > Just saw this on ebay. First look at the price! Not that I'll 
ever 
> > sell mine.  Second, I had no idea my VFX-SD2 was rare! Finally 
and 
> > most importantly, what a great write-up on this baby - it does 
us all 
> > proud! The VFX is still one of the best controillers around.
> > 
> > http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
ViewItem&item=2574834202&category=29552
> 
> Well, it's a fluorescent display, not LED.  That's why it's so 
nice on
> the eyes, but also why it's not easy to find a replacement today.
> 
> Also, anyone know the production numbers for various members of the
> VFX family?  I don't think the VFX-SD II was all that rare.  I 
mean,
> my VFX-SD isn't a II, but the two others I've seen were.  And,
> although I don't remember being able to upgrade a VFX-SD to a VFX-
SD
> II, you could upgrade either to an SD-1, which would have included 
the
> MegaPiano Waves.
> 
> "Wicked filters"?  I mean, they're OK, but for instance they're not
> resonant.  Yet no mention of the transwaves.  I think the writer 
may
> have done a lot of sequencing, but with canned sounds only...
> 
> And "never crashed" but "gigged extensively"?  Well, I have to 
admit
> this would make this a rare unit, indeed.  :-)  Especially in 
light of

> the fact that the keyboard mod isn't mentioned, and that was
> discovered AFTER the first SD-1's were shipped.
> 
> So personally I have to ask myself if I think this is someone who's
> done a good writeup, or done a good sales job...
> 
> --> Steve

> Sorry for the delayed response, but I am new to this list, and a new
> VFX owner.  What must one do to upgrade (hardware wise) from a VFXsd
> to a VFXsdII?

Find a handy time machine. :/ Ensoniq was the only one that did the 
upgrade - essentially a complete mainboard swap.

  --- Joe M.