Emax

Many Emax users may be aware of the "computer interface" (RS-422) on 
the Emax models which was exploited briefly by DigiDesign 
SoundDesigner II and Passports Alchemy.

Many samplers nowadays are able to do SCSI transfers via a PC or Mac 
host adapter as opposed to the MIDI Sample Dump Standard.

Here is a proposal for a basic working copy under Win32, which would 
be open-source, using the Dev-C++ Package (version 4.9.8.0)

- Automatic Batch Dumping of .WAV/.AIFF files.
- Queueing of Samples with sample number assigning before dumping.
- "Stereo" Feature to automatically seperate samples "on the fly" to 
the Primary and Secondary Channels.
- "Sample Calculator" to ensure a tight fit of samples into a pre-
determined Emax variant. (1mb, 2mb, 6mb, 8mb unit, etc.)

Some features way down the road.

- Front-End control of Emax functions (I have no documentation on 
this).

A little background info on me:

I have been a Windows user for 9 years now.  And a computer-user for 
almost 20 years.  I have dabbled a little in Basic, C, C++ but I am 
quite simply, a novice.  However, I want to dedicate time to this 
and I figured this was a "decent" project to start off with as what 
this program really is about is utilizing an RS-422 cable hooked 
into a PC (Perhaps through the Serial/Parallel/or even USB ports?).  
There are existing cables on the market, I know emulatorarchive 
sells one for the older Macs.

Some basic goals I want to start off with is I am currently 
searching for basic information.

1) What Alchemy and Sound Designer *actually did*, was that program 
capable of sending stereo samples? What functions were available?  
and how can we at least match those functions.

2) Matching Pin-Out configurations with a Parallel Port connection 
to the RS-422 end.

3) Complete specs for a Parallel port connection (shouldn't be hard 
to find), as well as what protocols would work best for an RS-422 
connection.  Can these two standards even interface?  Is the RS-422 
Half-Duplex/Full-Duplex? Serial or Parallel?

4) Software integration, handshaking.

5) How the emax handles data traffic.

6) Whether E-Mu would be cooperative with some technical details. :)

These are just basic ideas.  Basically I'm calling on the Emax 
community to help out with any information or schematics, or 
anything.  Is this even feasible?  I would like to think it is 
possible.  As I have this high-speed port on the back of my Emax 
that's just begging for usage.

I hope people on this group can engage in active discussion.

With Regards,
Christopher Mazur