Emax

Colin-

While in theory, booting from some other method is possible someone  
has to develop this new method, and that takes time, and $$$.

I have searched for days on the Web trying to find tools to pull  
apart / debug / trace the NS32008 code.
I have not found any of the Assembler language tools or reference  
documents for this CPU anywhere.
That includes searching websites in foreign languages and translating  
them where possible.

obsolete CPU and documentation is out of print are the replies I have  
gotten from potential sources.

Do you know how to successfully load a foreign format (not PC  
compatible) OS image for a different CPU machine code into the EEPROM  
or PIC so that it can be read correctly by the Emax native NS32008 CPU?
If you have the tools and reference documents for the NS32008, please  
share!!!!!!

I wanted to increase the # of available sample banks and size of hard  
drive, and increase the possible available Emax memory by tearing  
apart the firmware and OS used in the Emax.

Please note, the floppy or "other methods" you speak of are necessary  
to load sound sample banks into the Emax.
Emax has no built in sounds.

The facts are that MIDI is slow to load samples. :-(
Emax doesn't support SCSI dump standard. :-(

That leaves RS422 sample input (not as slow), and the analog input  
(realtime sampling).
Then you have to save off your work if you change the samples in the  
Emax.....

The methods work, but are not nearly as fast as having a hard drive,  
CF, or Zip to load many banks from, when desired.

While it does cost some $$ for a SCSI update (where desired), and  
available floppy options (either my slim floppy, or original  
replacement from Route66, or if you know how to modify a standard  
drive to Floppy ID 0)---
These are proven options. They work.

If the idea for a new boot process does not incorporate some form of  
technology that is current using removable media to interact with  
multiple sound banks, and is inexpensive to implement, I just don't  
see it being a viable solution.

My 2 cents.

Ted




On Aug 6, 2009, at 7:27 PM, Colin Peiris wrote:

Dear Friends!

I would like to sudjest that a programmed Pic micro controller or an  
EEPROM can be adopted to boot up the emax key board instead of Floppy  
or other methods.

In this regard you have to modify the interface so that u can read the  
eprom or controller to boot the emax. So any abel body can experiment  
in this method.

Any ideas about this very much appritiated.

Thanks
amacolp






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