I'm not sure what you are aiming to, based on all these messages and information which you have been reading :-) - do you want to get Alchemy, SD, or any other vintage software running with Emax/Emax-II connectivity on higher Mac versions ? - do you want to find out how to come up with a device supporting externally clocked RS422 for use with any modern computer equipment ? - do you just basically want to get Alchemy, SD of any other software running with Emax/Emax-II connectivity on a vintage Mac (Classic, SE, ...) ? - do you want to make new software for communication between computer and Emax/Emax-II ? - ... With respect to your questions, I can only answer the first two of them: 1/ Yes, I have a minidin8 <--> DB9 cable perfectly working between my Mac and my Emax/Emax-II. The cable specs are available on emulatorarchive: http://www.emulatorarchive.com/Archives/Samplers/EmaxOverview/EmaxEditors/emaxeditors.html This obviously is the RS422 variant. 2/ Alchemy would be a better starting point in terms of native Emax-II support but ONLY for sample transfer communication. If all possible RS422 commands should be supported, then SoundDesigner for Emax is a better choice. Note that we are "only" one step away from new software running on Windows XP/Vista (or Mac OS X or higher) which can communicate with Emu samplers. The only missing part is an externally clockable RS422 port which can be put in between the Emax and the computer :-) I have already a working prototype communication software on my PC. A few days ago someone mailed me with the message that the KeySpan XG 28 (USB/RS422) device for Mac probably supports external clocking. But I don't know if this is true because when I was looking to its specs a year ago, I read somewhere that synchronous communication is NOT supported by that adapter. Also, this device - which is already obsolete - was only released with Mac drivers, not Windows drivers. Of course it is not true to say that these externally clockable RS422 ports for modern computers don't exist - in industrial apps they are being used. But their price is way too high for us (500 USD...) I also have a prototype device here from a fellow member, but we are still trying to get it working :-) Maybe I will connect my Oscilloscope to that device this weekend, it's been a while... //E-Synthesist --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "thenewyorkcowboy" <thenewyorkcowboy@...> wrote: > > This looks like a good time to interject a few questions... > > Here is the page I started with: > > http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/emax/message/4847 > > So I did my own research and found this page: > > http://support.apple.com/kb/SP130 > > and > > http://lowendmac.com/tech/serial.shtml > > Which I have...so I am convinced that the 8 pin mini din can handle both RS422 and RS232 depending on the CABLE!!! > > What they are talking about as the "obsolete" port is what is considered a GeoPort, it only has 4 pins in the mini-Din. So anyone who has 8 pin serial ports on any Mac can use either Sound Forge or Alchemy... > > It was said earlier in the posts that neither software can do entire bank transfers, but I am not at that point yet...What I need is someone to clarify these last questions I have before I am going to be able to contribute something to the conversation... > > On ANY Mac with the two "422 serial" ports (8 pin Mini Dins) it certainly does seem true that they will accept up to a 2Mb external clock. > > Did we get this pinout solved from post? I only have: > > http://www.interfacebus.com/Apple_MiniDIN_PinOut.html > > and > > http://saragossa.net/intfcing.html (scroll to far bottom) > > to determine how to "make" a cable to connect to the Emax II > > and these posts to leave me wondering: > > http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/emax/message/5241 > > and > > http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/emax/message/4789 > > (and the following conversation that ensues) > > and finally... > > http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/emax/message/4838 > > So, I have to ask::: > > 1. Has anyone actually built a Mini Din-8 cable to the EmaxII serial port or a DB-9 serial, and got it to work with Alchemy? What are the final pinouts? > > 2. I know what our Files section holds in the way of Alchemy and Sound Designer...which is the 'best' version that we should be focusing on as a prototype? > > 3. The last question is a little more specific, if anyone has a later MAC OS working with any of the software versions metioned in #2 above, what is it? Will MAC OS 9.2.2 work with Alchemy 2.5 through a soldered MiniDin-8 to DB-9 cable to the EmaxII? Will OSX work in classic mode? > > These are the questions I need answered to port some more information into the loop. > > Kirk > > > > --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, tu@ wrote: > > > > According to the sysex spec, the Emax II can receive Emax I compressed bank transfers. It needs > > to for compatibility with the RS422 CDROM drive! But it does not support transmitting compressed > > banks or any transfer of 16 bit banks. > > > > Sample transfer using high or low speed MMA sample dumping is also limited to maximum sample > > size of 2M words (4MB in 16 bit samples). So an Emax II bank containing a sample longer than this > > will not be possible to transfer over RS422 or MIDI. This would not be a problem for most sample > > banks but does prevent a universal method of bank transfer between the Emax II and a computer. > > The solution is of course to save such banks to disk and then load from there. > > > > /Tristan > > > > On Sat, Dec 5th, 2009 at 8:33 AM, esynthesist <esynthesist@> wrote: > > > > > Alchemy doesn't support bank transfers with any sampler. > > > It only supports sample transfers, including an interesting "bulk" > > > mode to transfer all samples at once. But that's still without any of > > > the preset and voice parameters... > > > > > > In fact no software supports bank transfers with the Emax-II. > > > I will add it to EMXP as soon as we get the RS422 device for PC up > > > and running... > > > > > > ///E-Synthesist > > > > > > --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "John" <jrb1864@> wrote: > > > > > > > > Does Alchemy support bank transfers to and from Emax 2? How in > > > depth are the sample edit features? > > > > > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > > > > > > > --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "Rish" <rish@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Hey If anyone needs the Alchemy ver 3.0 full manual I have 5 of > > > them available. > > > > > Richard at www.Route66studios.com > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > > > From: sanctifiedone@ > > > > > To: emax@yahoogroups.com > > > > > Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 11:56 AM > > > > > Subject: Re: [emax] Emax II with MAC Se > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I love posts like this one from Ted. And while I'm at it, I > > > also want to express my appreciation for group members like Dave > > > willing to help me untangle my EMAX II problems. > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > > > From: "Ted Summers" <djtbs1@> > > > > > To: emax@yahoogroups.com > > > > > Sent: Thursday, December 3, 2009 11:58:49 AM GMT -05:00 > > > US/Canada Eastern > > > > > Subject: Re: [emax] Emax II with MAC Se > > > > > > > > > > Alchemy software v3.0 sit is in the groups files section, and > > > it works...... > > > > > > > > > > Regards, > > > > > Ted > > > > > > > > > > On Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 7:57 AM, John <jrb1864@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I have an Emax 2 with 2mb ram, jazz drives, floppies, cables > > > and connector > > > > > > cable to the MAC. > > > > > > > > > > > > I had a dream...a dream of running my Emax 2 with sound > > > designer or > > > > > > Alchemy. Alas no luck, I only have Sound Designer Universal > > > and it's not > > > > > > working with the EMAX 2. > > > > > > > > > > > > I have Sound Designer Universal in the box, original disks > > > etc, a MAC SE, > > > > > > systems 6, and 7 but unable to find the Alchemy software or > > > Sound Designer > > > > > > that works with Emax 2. > > > > > > > > > > > > If I can't get it all to work I will give up on this dream > > > and sell the lot > > > > > > to someone, preferably on the forum, with love, patience, and > > > abilities to > > > > > > make this system work and send me photos! LOL! > > > > > > > > > > > > If you have the software I need or time and willingness to > > > help me through > > > > > > it I would appreciate otherwise I'm selling it all for $350 > > > plus shipping > > > > > > costs. > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks all! Maybe one day..... > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > > > > > Emax and Emax II User's Group Website > > > > > > > > > > http://www.silveriafamily.comYahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
Message
Re: Emax II with MAC Se
2009-12-05 by esynthesist