Sorry, but I am going to be a buzzkill here on the iSCSI.... It sounds as easy as making your own DIY CF card drive. It takes at least one microcontroller to interface to the SCSI interface, and a SCSI interface chip itself. And perhaps another microcontroller to interface to the ethernet, unless that happened to be built into the first one....not likely, but maybe possible... The parts alone to make a CF drive were about $100. Not including making a PCB to assemble the parts onto. So figure $150, which is why I abandoned making a DIY CF drive...... I can't see it being that much cheaper or simpler. We don't have a cost of scale to make it inexpensive, either..... iSCSI is more complicated than it sounds. It is not as easy to implement as you may think. I provide Tech support on a product that has SOME iSCSI capability, I can say there is more than meets the eye to this animal. Regards, Ted On Dec 9, 2009, at 7:22 PM, thenewyorkcowboy wrote: Hey in my most recent web surfing I came across a modern piece of protocol called iSCSI. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISCSI Which can theoretically transfer instructions and data at the bandwidth of your Ethernet connection, 10/100/1000... Since the SCSI protocol is probably easier to decipher than RS-422 handshaking and such, would it be "easier" to make a device that could latch into the SCSI chip on the Emax along with the output and connect to a modern network through something like a PIC micro controller with some software? I know we were going for an external device that simply connects to the computer interface port on the Emax, but upon further reading here, even at 500kbaud we are talking about a few minutes per transfer. If we could design a PIC micro controller that could mount inside the Emax with a "small hole" to accomodate the RJ-45 jack on the back and a hardware hack, we could use the SCSI load/save as an external device to connect into a normal network at a minimum of 10mbs. Once we could do that, almost any waveform editor would work to transfer back and forth because alot of time would be saved working at say 5mbs like the Emax chip can supply compared to 500kbaud (one way).... Any thoughts? --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "esynthesist" <esynthesist@...> wrote: > > 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] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Message
Re: [emax] Re: Emax II with MAC Se
2009-12-10 by Ted Summers