Emax

Hi all,

While the subject is kinda weird, I couldn't find a better one...

I got an Emax 2 a couple of weeks ago, and after connecting a Zip drive to
it (thanks you for telling me that a Jaz don't work 'cause I was waiting for
ever for the Emax to format. I got a reply in about 10 minutes. Really
cool).

Anyways, I have a few computers and I'm trying to find some way to make it
work. My main problem is that EMX(P) doesn't seem to be available on any Mac
OS version.
I own several samplers and I mostly used a PC for SMDI transfer, but that
can be done on a Mac. My problem revolves really around the EMX.

So, in all of this, my goal is to get rid of the PC because I need it for
another use (or I have to buy another and that would not be a good time for
now).

Here are the samplers I have:
Emax 2 (Zip 100) , E-Synth (Jaz 2gb), Yamaha A3000 (Zip 100), Roland
S550(Zip 100), Akai S950 (Zip 100, anytime soon) and a S900 (needs repair
for now).

So I have these computers :
1- Powerbook G3 (wallstreet) (OS9): I have made the cable to make it work
with Alchemy. I also have the HDI-30 Scsi adapter for SMDI. I haven't had
time to test the serial cable yet. it has a rater rare internal Zip drive.
It can't run natively OS X Panther or more without a program called
XPostFacto. But, from what I understand, it has trouble with SCSI after. I
have to find a good forum about this.

2- Powermac G4 MDD (the noisy one), Dual 867mhz. (OS 9 and OS X Tiger). I
has a SCSI card, so I can do SMDI as well. But it's noisy as hell.

3- PC I want to remove from the setup.

I need to make a NAS with my PC. That means I would store everything on it,
not locally on the PB.

Any suggestions and encouragement are gladly appreciated!

Francis


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Normally Alchemy and Sound Designer II should support Emax-II sample transfers through MIDI and/or serial communication.
If that's too slow, maybe ChickenSys Translator for Mac has sufficient support for reading/writing Emax-II zip/hard disks? If so, it will probably not run on your G3 OS9 because I guess it needs OS X. It could work on your G4 and a USB ZIP drive attached to it. I don't think direct SCSI connectivity to your Emax-II will be supported though, nor sample transfers via midi/serial.
So it all depends on what you want or can live with...

One last note: EMXP will not be available for Mac soon. But never say never :-) 

///E-Synthesist
 
--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, Francis Cote <francis.cote@...> wrote:

>
> Hi all,
> 
> While the subject is kinda weird, I couldn't find a better one...
> 
> I got an Emax 2 a couple of weeks ago, and after connecting a Zip drive to
> it (thanks you for telling me that a Jaz don't work 'cause I was waiting for
> ever for the Emax to format. I got a reply in about 10 minutes. Really
> cool).
> 
> Anyways, I have a few computers and I'm trying to find some way to make it
> work. My main problem is that EMX(P) doesn't seem to be available on any Mac
> OS version.
> I own several samplers and I mostly used a PC for SMDI transfer, but that
> can be done on a Mac. My problem revolves really around the EMX.
> 
> So, in all of this, my goal is to get rid of the PC because I need it for
> another use (or I have to buy another and that would not be a good time for
> now).
> 
> Here are the samplers I have:
> Emax 2 (Zip 100) , E-Synth (Jaz 2gb), Yamaha A3000 (Zip 100), Roland
> S550(Zip 100), Akai S950 (Zip 100, anytime soon) and a S900 (needs repair
> for now).
> 
> So I have these computers :
> 1- Powerbook G3 (wallstreet) (OS9): I have made the cable to make it work
> with Alchemy. I also have the HDI-30 Scsi adapter for SMDI. I haven't had
> time to test the serial cable yet. it has a rater rare internal Zip drive.
> It can't run natively OS X Panther or more without a program called
> XPostFacto. But, from what I understand, it has trouble with SCSI after. I
> have to find a good forum about this.
> 
> 2- Powermac G4 MDD (the noisy one), Dual 867mhz. (OS 9 and OS X Tiger). I
> has a SCSI card, so I can do SMDI as well. But it's noisy as hell.
> 
> 3- PC I want to remove from the setup.
> 
> I need to make a NAS with my PC. That means I would store everything on it,
> not locally on the PB.
> 
> Any suggestions and encouragement are gladly appreciated!
> 
> Francis
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

I got the Powerbook mainly to run Alchemy and link the Emax with the serial
port. Translator on the G4 is an idea. I'm not sure how much support it has
to read/write Emax formatted drives, I'll have to check. If it's properly
supported, enabling me to backup my Emax Zips and the others, it's
definitely an option.

Worst comes to worst, if I need to run EMXP for sharing and stuff, I could
get a USB Zip and use my Macbook Pro (which has a Bootcamp with XP).

I just don't like "spreading" computer to computer. I'll have to check
Translator...

Thanks


On Sun, Aug 7, 2011 at 2:11 PM, esynthesist <esynthesist@...> wrote:

> **
>
>
> Normally Alchemy and Sound Designer II should support Emax-II sample
> transfers through MIDI and/or serial communication.
> If that's too slow, maybe ChickenSys Translator for Mac has sufficient
> support for reading/writing Emax-II zip/hard disks? If so, it will probably
> not run on your G3 OS9 because I guess it needs OS X. It could work on your
> G4 and a USB ZIP drive attached to it. I don't think direct SCSI
> connectivity to your Emax-II will be supported though, nor sample transfers
> via midi/serial.
> So it all depends on what you want or can live with...
>
> One last note: EMXP will not be available for Mac soon. But never say never
> :-)
>
> ///E-Synthesist
>
>
> --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, Francis Cote <francis.cote@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi all,
> >
> > While the subject is kinda weird, I couldn't find a better one...
> >
> > I got an Emax 2 a couple of weeks ago, and after connecting a Zip drive
> to
> > it (thanks you for telling me that a Jaz don't work 'cause I was waiting
> for
> > ever for the Emax to format. I got a reply in about 10 minutes. Really
> > cool).
> >
> > Anyways, I have a few computers and I'm trying to find some way to make
> it
> > work. My main problem is that EMX(P) doesn't seem to be available on any
> Mac
> > OS version.
> > I own several samplers and I mostly used a PC for SMDI transfer, but that
> > can be done on a Mac. My problem revolves really around the EMX.
> >
> > So, in all of this, my goal is to get rid of the PC because I need it for
> > another use (or I have to buy another and that would not be a good time
> for
> > now).
> >
> > Here are the samplers I have:
> > Emax 2 (Zip 100) , E-Synth (Jaz 2gb), Yamaha A3000 (Zip 100), Roland
> > S550(Zip 100), Akai S950 (Zip 100, anytime soon) and a S900 (needs repair
> > for now).
> >
> > So I have these computers :
> > 1- Powerbook G3 (wallstreet) (OS9): I have made the cable to make it work
> > with Alchemy. I also have the HDI-30 Scsi adapter for SMDI. I haven't had
> > time to test the serial cable yet. it has a rater rare internal Zip
> drive.
> > It can't run natively OS X Panther or more without a program called
> > XPostFacto. But, from what I understand, it has trouble with SCSI after.
> I
> > have to find a good forum about this.
> >
> > 2- Powermac G4 MDD (the noisy one), Dual 867mhz. (OS 9 and OS X Tiger). I
> > has a SCSI card, so I can do SMDI as well. But it's noisy as hell.
> >
> > 3- PC I want to remove from the setup.
> >
> > I need to make a NAS with my PC. That means I would store everything on
> it,
> > not locally on the PB.
> >
> > Any suggestions and encouragement are gladly appreciated!
> >
> > Francis
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>  
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

i think you will find that it can translate from emax2 but not to emax2 
format well no on my version anyway but apparently the mac version is 
further ahead

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Francis Cote" <francis.cote@...>
To: <emax@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2011 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: [emax] Re: Mac 'n' Samplers 'n' Stuff


>I got the Powerbook mainly to run Alchemy and link the Emax with the serial
> port. Translator on the G4 is an idea. I'm not sure how much support it 
> has
> to read/write Emax formatted drives, I'll have to check. If it's properly
> supported, enabling me to backup my Emax Zips and the others, it's
> definitely an option.
>
> Worst comes to worst, if I need to run EMXP for sharing and stuff, I could
> get a USB Zip and use my Macbook Pro (which has a Bootcamp with XP).
>
> I just don't like "spreading" computer to computer. I'll have to check
> Translator...
>
> Thanks
>
>
> On Sun, Aug 7, 2011 at 2:11 PM, esynthesist <esynthesist@...> wrote:
>
>> **
>>
>>
>> Normally Alchemy and Sound Designer II should support Emax-II sample
>> transfers through MIDI and/or serial communication.
>> If that's too slow, maybe ChickenSys Translator for Mac has sufficient
>> support for reading/writing Emax-II zip/hard disks? If so, it will 
>> probably
>> not run on your G3 OS9 because I guess it needs OS X. It could work on 
>> your
>> G4 and a USB ZIP drive attached to it. I don't think direct SCSI
>> connectivity to your Emax-II will be supported though, nor sample 
>> transfers
>> via midi/serial.
>> So it all depends on what you want or can live with...
>>
>> One last note: EMXP will not be available for Mac soon. But never say 
>> never
>> :-)
>>
>> ///E-Synthesist
>>
>>
>> --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, Francis Cote <francis.cote@...> wrote:
>> >
>> > Hi all,
>> >
>> > While the subject is kinda weird, I couldn't find a better one...
>> >
>> > I got an Emax 2 a couple of weeks ago, and after connecting a Zip drive
>> to
>> > it (thanks you for telling me that a Jaz don't work 'cause I was 
>> > waiting
>> for
>> > ever for the Emax to format. I got a reply in about 10 minutes. Really
>> > cool).
>> >
>> > Anyways, I have a few computers and I'm trying to find some way to make
>> it
>> > work. My main problem is that EMX(P) doesn't seem to be available on 
>> > any
>> Mac
>> > OS version.
>> > I own several samplers and I mostly used a PC for SMDI transfer, but 
>> > that
>> > can be done on a Mac. My problem revolves really around the EMX.
>> >
>> > So, in all of this, my goal is to get rid of the PC because I need it 
>> > for
>> > another use (or I have to buy another and that would not be a good time
>> for
>> > now).
>> >
>> > Here are the samplers I have:
>> > Emax 2 (Zip 100) , E-Synth (Jaz 2gb), Yamaha A3000 (Zip 100), Roland
>> > S550(Zip 100), Akai S950 (Zip 100, anytime soon) and a S900 (needs 
>> > repair
>> > for now).
>> >
>> > So I have these computers :
>> > 1- Powerbook G3 (wallstreet) (OS9): I have made the cable to make it 
>> > work
>> > with Alchemy. I also have the HDI-30 Scsi adapter for SMDI. I haven't 
>> > had
>> > time to test the serial cable yet. it has a rater rare internal Zip
>> drive.
>> > It can't run natively OS X Panther or more without a program called
>> > XPostFacto. But, from what I understand, it has trouble with SCSI 
>> > after.
>> I
>> > have to find a good forum about this.
>> >
>> > 2- Powermac G4 MDD (the noisy one), Dual 867mhz. (OS 9 and OS X Tiger). 
>> > I
>> > has a SCSI card, so I can do SMDI as well. But it's noisy as hell.
>> >
>> > 3- PC I want to remove from the setup.
>> >
>> > I need to make a NAS with my PC. That means I would store everything on
>> it,
>> > not locally on the PB.
>> >
>> > Any suggestions and encouragement are gladly appreciated!
>> >
>> > Francis
>> >
>> >
>> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Emax and Emax II User's Group Website
>
> http://www.silveriafamily.comYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.901 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3819 - Release Date: 08/07/11 
12:59:00

One word of warning there.  I don't know if it's common, but I have a 250MB USB zip that I intended to use with XP and an Emax II but it just spits out 100MB emax formatted zips the moment it starts reading them.  I haven't got a 250MB scsi one so I can't tell of it would accept 250MB emax formatted disks.  I now use an IDE zip on the XP side that works fine, but obviously that's no use on a MBP.

By the way, I have Translator and have yet to see it work on my Mac.  The installer just crashes on me and that was before I moved to Lion, which probably makes it worse.

Louis


Op 8 aug. 2011 om 00:32 heeft Francis Cote <francis.cote@...> het volgende geschreven:

> I got the Powerbook mainly to run Alchemy and link the Emax with the serial
> port. Translator on the G4 is an idea. I'm not sure how much support it has
> to read/write Emax formatted drives, I'll have to check. If it's properly
> supported, enabling me to backup my Emax Zips and the others, it's
> definitely an option.
> 
> Worst comes to worst, if I need to run EMXP for sharing and stuff, I could
> get a USB Zip and use my Macbook Pro (which has a Bootcamp with XP).
> 
> I just don't like "spreading" computer to computer. I'll have to check
> Translator...
> 
> Thanks
> 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

My 250MB USB ZIP drive can perfectly read and write 100MB formatted Emax-II ZIP disks (with EMXP).
What exactly is happening in your set up ? Is the USB ZIP drive spontanously ejecting 100MB disks even before you try to use any software with them ?

--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, Louis van Dompselaar <louis@...> wrote:

>
> One word of warning there.  I don't know if it's common, but I have a 250MB USB zip that I intended to use with XP and an Emax II but it just spits out 100MB emax formatted zips the moment it starts reading them.  I haven't got a 250MB scsi one so I can't tell of it would accept 250MB emax formatted disks.  I now use an IDE zip on the XP side that works fine, but obviously that's no use on a MBP.
> 
> By the way, I have Translator and have yet to see it work on my Mac.  The installer just crashes on me and that was before I moved to Lion, which probably makes it worse.
> 
> Louis
> 
> 
> Op 8 aug. 2011 om 00:32 heeft Francis Cote <francis.cote@...> het volgende geschreven:
> 
> > I got the Powerbook mainly to run Alchemy and link the Emax with the serial
> > port. Translator on the G4 is an idea. I'm not sure how much support it has
> > to read/write Emax formatted drives, I'll have to check. If it's properly
> > supported, enabling me to backup my Emax Zips and the others, it's
> > definitely an option.
> > 
> > Worst comes to worst, if I need to run EMXP for sharing and stuff, I could
> > get a USB Zip and use my Macbook Pro (which has a Bootcamp with XP).
> > 
> > I just don't like "spreading" computer to computer. I'll have to check
> > Translator...
> > 
> > Thanks
> > 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Yes that's what is happening.  The head moves once or twice and then the disk is ejected.


Op 8 aug. 2011, om 11:09 heeft esynthesist het volgende geschreven:

> My 250MB USB ZIP drive can perfectly read and write 100MB formatted Emax-II ZIP disks (with EMXP).
> What exactly is happening in your set up ? Is the USB ZIP drive spontanously ejecting 100MB disks even before you try to use any software with them ?
> 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

drive is broken then

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Louis van Dompselaar 
  To: emax@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 10:14 AM
  Subject: Re: [emax] Re: Mac 'n' Samplers 'n' Stuff


    
  Yes that's what is happening. The head moves once or twice and then the disk is ejected.

  Op 8 aug. 2011, om 11:09 heeft esynthesist het volgende geschreven:

  > My 250MB USB ZIP drive can perfectly read and write 100MB formatted Emax-II ZIP disks (with EMXP).
  > What exactly is happening in your set up ? Is the USB ZIP drive spontanously ejecting 100MB disks even before you try to use any software with them ?
  > 

  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



  


------------------------------------------------------------------------------



  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
  Version: 9.0.901 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3820 - Release Date: 08/07/11 19:33:00


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

It works fine with 100MB and 250MB disks as long as they are Windows (or Mac HFS for that matter) formatted.
It's only the Emax formatted disks it ejects.

As I have the IDE drive too I'm using that for the Emax disks, so I'm not bothered too much if the USB is broken in this way.


Op 8 aug. 2011, om 12:29 heeft <jammie.emma@...> het volgende geschreven:

> drive is broken then
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Louis van Dompselaar 
> To: emax@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 10:14 AM
> Subject: Re: [emax] Re: Mac 'n' Samplers 'n' Stuff
> 
> Yes that's what is happening. The head moves once or twice and then the disk is ejected.
> 
> Op 8 aug. 2011, om 11:09 heeft esynthesist het volgende geschreven:
> 
> > My 250MB USB ZIP drive can perfectly read and write 100MB formatted Emax-II ZIP disks (with EMXP).
> > What exactly is happening in your set up ? Is the USB ZIP drive spontanously ejecting 100MB disks even before you try to use any software with them ?
> > 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

So I guess it's fine for me to get a USB Zip.
I'll download the free version of Translator to see how it starts up on my
G4.

Anyone knows the transfer speed (kbps)  difference between the RS422 and
MIDI Sample dump?
Is it possible I have seen something like 500 kbps for RS422 and 3 kbps for
MIDI somewhere on the net?



On Mon, Aug 8, 2011 at 6:38 AM, Louis van Dompselaar
<louis@...>wrote:

> **
>
>
> It works fine with 100MB and 250MB disks as long as they are Windows (or
> Mac HFS for that matter) formatted.
> It's only the Emax formatted disks it ejects.
>
> As I have the IDE drive too I'm using that for the Emax disks, so I'm not
> bothered too much if the USB is broken in this way.
>
> Op 8 aug. 2011, om 12:29 heeft <jammie.emma@...> het volgende
> geschreven:
>
>
> > drive is broken then
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Louis van Dompselaar
> > To: emax@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 10:14 AM
> > Subject: Re: [emax] Re: Mac 'n' Samplers 'n' Stuff
> >
> > Yes that's what is happening. The head moves once or twice and then the
> disk is ejected.
> >
> > Op 8 aug. 2011, om 11:09 heeft esynthesist het volgende geschreven:
> >
> > > My 250MB USB ZIP drive can perfectly read and write 100MB formatted
> Emax-II ZIP disks (with EMXP).
> > > What exactly is happening in your set up ? Is the USB ZIP drive
> spontanously ejecting 100MB disks even before you try to use any software
> with them ?
> > >
> >
> > [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]

RS422 is indeed at 500000 bps, while MIDI is at 31250 bps.
In reality, you can assume that sample transfers through RS422 are 10-15 times faster than through MIDI.

Note however that I have seen Emax-II which have trouble with sample transfers via RS422. The reason for this is not known, I guess it's  caused by a conflict between versions of ICs and/or the OS in the Emax-II...

///E-Synthesist

--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, Francis Cote <francis.cote@...> wrote:

>
> So I guess it's fine for me to get a USB Zip.
> I'll download the free version of Translator to see how it starts up on my
> G4.
> 
> Anyone knows the transfer speed (kbps)  difference between the RS422 and
> MIDI Sample dump?
> Is it possible I have seen something like 500 kbps for RS422 and 3 kbps for
> MIDI somewhere on the net?
> 
> 
> 
> On Mon, Aug 8, 2011 at 6:38 AM, Louis van Dompselaar
> <louis@...>wrote:
> 
> > **
> >
> >
> > It works fine with 100MB and 250MB disks as long as they are Windows (or
> > Mac HFS for that matter) formatted.
> > It's only the Emax formatted disks it ejects.
> >
> > As I have the IDE drive too I'm using that for the Emax disks, so I'm not
> > bothered too much if the USB is broken in this way.
> >
> > Op 8 aug. 2011, om 12:29 heeft <jammie.emma@...> het volgende
> > geschreven:
> >
> >
> > > drive is broken then
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Louis van Dompselaar
> > > To: emax@yahoogroups.com
> > > Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 10:14 AM
> > > Subject: Re: [emax] Re: Mac 'n' Samplers 'n' Stuff
> > >
> > > Yes that's what is happening. The head moves once or twice and then the
> > disk is ejected.
> > >
> > > Op 8 aug. 2011, om 11:09 heeft esynthesist het volgende geschreven:
> > >
> > > > My 250MB USB ZIP drive can perfectly read and write 100MB formatted
> > Emax-II ZIP disks (with EMXP).
> > > > What exactly is happening in your set up ? Is the USB ZIP drive
> > spontanously ejecting 100MB disks even before you try to use any software
> > with them ?
> > > >
> > >
> > > [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]
>

I'm trying right now to get samples from the emax into alchemy and I keep
getting "can't find keyboard mapping".. anyone knows what this is about?

I was careful making the cable, but it could that.
 On 2011-08-08 2:13 PM, "esynthesist" <esynthesist@...> wrote:
> RS422 is indeed at 500000 bps, while MIDI is at 31250 bps.
> In reality, you can assume that sample transfers through RS422 are 10-15
times faster than through MIDI.
>
> Note however that I have seen Emax-II which have trouble with sample
transfers via RS422. The reason for this is not known, I guess it's caused
by a conflict between versions of ICs and/or the OS in the Emax-II...
>
> ///E-Synthesist
>
> --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, Francis Cote <francis.cote@...> wrote:
>>
>> So I guess it's fine for me to get a USB Zip.
>> I'll download the free version of Translator to see how it starts up on
my
>> G4.
>>
>> Anyone knows the transfer speed (kbps) difference between the RS422 and
>> MIDI Sample dump?
>> Is it possible I have seen something like 500 kbps for RS422 and 3 kbps
for
>> MIDI somewhere on the net?
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Aug 8, 2011 at 6:38 AM, Louis van Dompselaar
>> <louis@...>wrote:
>>
>> > **
>> >
>> >
>> > It works fine with 100MB and 250MB disks as long as they are Windows
(or
>> > Mac HFS for that matter) formatted.
>> > It's only the Emax formatted disks it ejects.
>> >
>> > As I have the IDE drive too I'm using that for the Emax disks, so I'm
not
>> > bothered too much if the USB is broken in this way.
>> >
>> > Op 8 aug. 2011, om 12:29 heeft <jammie.emma@...> het volgende
>> > geschreven:
>> >
>> >
>> > > drive is broken then
>> > > ----- Original Message -----
>> > > From: Louis van Dompselaar
>> > > To: emax@yahoogroups.com
>> > > Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 10:14 AM
>> > > Subject: Re: [emax] Re: Mac 'n' Samplers 'n' Stuff
>> > >
>> > > Yes that's what is happening. The head moves once or twice and then
the
>> > disk is ejected.
>> > >
>> > > Op 8 aug. 2011, om 11:09 heeft esynthesist het volgende geschreven:
>> > >
>> > > > My 250MB USB ZIP drive can perfectly read and write 100MB formatted
>> > Emax-II ZIP disks (with EMXP).
>> > > > What exactly is happening in your set up ? Is the USB ZIP drive
>> > spontanously ejecting 100MB disks even before you try to use any
software
>> > with them ?
>> > > >
>> > >
>> > > [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]
>>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]