Open Source Project Proposal for Emax users
2003-09-24 by Christopher James Mazur
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