OBERHEIM SYNTH

This is something I have suspected for a while. I've had a Cyclone for years which I use 
from time to time. I've wanted to get the other Perf/X boxes but I usually don't have any 
extra cash for them when I spot good deals. Recently I bought a slightly-broken 
Systemizer which I'm gradually fixing. These boxes are exactly identical, controls, PCB, 
except the case color.

Why this makes me so psyched is that we can swap ROMs! No matter which one of these 
boxes you have, just swap the EPROM and it can be any of the others! I suggest we start a 
repository so that people can freely get code for any of the other Perf/X boxes they've 
wanted to try.

Last year I started by ripping and uploading the Cyclone ROM. Once I get the Systemizer 
running properly I'll up that ROM too. Anybody else want to pitch in? This leaves the 
Navigator, Strummer, Drummer - and maybe Chordinator, if that rare beast really exists - 
to add to the archives.

I am perfectly happy to help anybody here who has these machines but no access to 
EPROM tools. If you send another Perf/X to me I'll give you burned copies of the Cyclone 
and Systemizer firmware to use, and I'll pay return postage. So for the cost of mailing it to 
me and being without it for a couple of weeks, you'll basically be getting those other two 
boxes, in their functionality. If you're sincerely interested then contact me, I might be 
willing to mail a few ROMs out in advance to show that I am on the level. Easier if this is 
for USA only, otherwise postage becomes more difficult and costly.

This way I figure if you have one Perf/X, you have all of them! This way we won't need to 
shell out another $100-$200 on ebay for every other unit we want. Or you can buy a less 
popular unit like the Systemizer or Navigator and load it with software for the "jammier" 
units and get the same effect for a lesser cost. 

Thanks for considering!
CJ Miller

You know, I can't understand why the systemizer is less popular, as it's
absolutely amazing at controlling multi-synth setups. I used mine live for
months in a band, and since the guitarist and bassist were both using ART FX
boxes with the foot controllers, we could totally change sound layouts at
about the same rate and the tweak time between songs was completely
dependent on how long the singer wanted to chatter with the audience. The
Alternate patch footswitch, which took me to my solo organ patch, (three
different synths covering different ranges of drawbars, plus all three
sampled through a distorted Fender Twin) meant that with a tap of the foot I
always had my signature voice ready, and the way it handled transpose and
patch tricks meant that effective brass section stabs were a snap. It's an
underrespected box, for sure. 

-----Original Message-----
From: oberheim@yahoogroups.com [mailto:oberheim@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of acousmatique
Sent: Sunday, January 21, 2007 6:50 AM
To: oberheim@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [oberheim] The Perf/X units are all the same board! Cyclone,
Strummer, Drummer plz read!

This is something I have suspected for a while. I've had a Cyclone for years
which I use from time to time. I've wanted to get the other Perf/X boxes but
I usually don't have any extra cash for them when I spot good deals.
Recently I bought a slightly-broken Systemizer which I'm gradually fixing.
These boxes are exactly identical, controls, PCB, except the case color.

Why this makes me so psyched is that we can swap ROMs! No matter which one
of these boxes you have, just swap the EPROM and it can be any of the
others! I suggest we start a repository so that people can freely get code
for any of the other Perf/X boxes they've wanted to try.

Last year I started by ripping and uploading the Cyclone ROM. Once I get the
Systemizer running properly I'll up that ROM too. Anybody else want to pitch
in? This leaves the Navigator, Strummer, Drummer - and maybe Chordinator, if
that rare beast really exists - to add to the archives.

I am perfectly happy to help anybody here who has these machines but no
access to EPROM tools. If you send another Perf/X to me I'll give you burned
copies of the Cyclone and Systemizer firmware to use, and I'll pay return
postage. So for the cost of mailing it to me and being without it for a
couple of weeks, you'll basically be getting those other two boxes, in their
functionality. If you're sincerely interested then contact me, I might be
willing to mail a few ROMs out in advance to show that I am on the level.
Easier if this is for USA only, otherwise postage becomes more difficult and
costly.

This way I figure if you have one Perf/X, you have all of them! This way we
won't need to shell out another $100-$200 on ebay for every other unit we
want. Or you can buy a less popular unit like the Systemizer or Navigator
and load it with software for the "jammier" 
units and get the same effect for a lesser cost. 

Thanks for considering!
CJ Miller

--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com, "Rick Massey" <seafox@...> wrote:
>
> You know, I can't understand why the systemizer is less popular, as it's
> absolutely amazing at controlling multi-synth setups. I used mine live for
> months in a band, and since the guitarist and bassist were both using ART FX
> boxes with the foot controllers, we could totally change sound layouts at
> about the same rate and the tweak time between songs was completely
> dependent on how long the singer wanted to chatter with the audience. The
> Alternate patch footswitch, which took me to my solo organ patch, (three
> different synths covering different ranges of drawbars, plus all three
> sampled through a distorted Fender Twin) meant that with a tap of the foot I
> always had my signature voice ready, and the way it handled transpose and
> patch tricks meant that effective brass section stabs were a snap. It's an
> underrespected box, for sure. 


Well, it seems that none of these are very popular anyway. Oberheim wasn't very 
successful with them. And I have seen very, very few MIDI tools and effects out there ever. 
I am not much of a musician, but usually and "end-user" of everything. I can't imagine 
having two pieces of MIDI gear connected and NOT see and filter the serial data in real 
time, at the very least. If functionality is bundled into something which people already 
want to play with and hear, then it gets more exposure and use just by tagging along for 
the ride. Like Korg's "KARMA" system, for instance.

I think they all sound great. My guess about the Systemizer and Navigator being less 
popular than the others was based only on prices I've observed. Since these two usually 
went for less, I guessed that they were less sought-after. I don't really know. Cyclone is 
the one I have heard most about over the years and still often goes for the same price it 
did new, about $200. When I said that the other units were more popular, I was guessing 
that maybe the Systemizer and Navigator were more "utilitarian" compared to Cyclone, 
Strummer, and Drummer. Many people who have heard of and seen Perf/X modules have 
mentioned that they don't know what those former modules do, even - which is probably 
due to its functions being a less simple to explain in a one-word sentence. "arpeggiator" 
"guitar-phraser", "interactive pattern sequencer", "... ?" 

Mine doesn't work yet, but it sounds as if it can do splits, remapping, and quite a few 
other cool things. Hey, I can barely "control" a single keyboard, so I have much respect for 
those who can, and even play a whole system. I'm just a tinkerer who likes low-level 
hardware stuff like this.

Okay, well, here's a couple more things to look at.

I remember Oberheim had two upgrades to the units, a card reader that could
be installed and a memory swap that would give the unit a lot more patch
locations. This would be good to search out data on. 

-----Original Message-----
From: oberheim@yahoogroups.com [mailto:oberheim@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of acousmatique
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 12:06 AM
To: oberheim@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [oberheim] Re: The Perf/X units are all the same board! Cyclone,
Strummer, Drummer plz read!

--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com <mailto:oberheim%40yahoogroups.com> , "Rick
Massey" <seafox@...> wrote:
>
> You know, I can't understand why the systemizer is less popular, as 
> it's absolutely amazing at controlling multi-synth setups. I used mine 
> live for months in a band, and since the guitarist and bassist were 
> both using ART FX boxes with the foot controllers, we could totally 
> change sound layouts at about the same rate and the tweak time between 
> songs was completely dependent on how long the singer wanted to 
> chatter with the audience. The Alternate patch footswitch, which took 
> me to my solo organ patch, (three different synths covering different 
> ranges of drawbars, plus all three sampled through a distorted Fender 
> Twin) meant that with a tap of the foot I always had my signature 
> voice ready, and the way it handled transpose and patch tricks meant 
> that effective brass section stabs were a snap. It's an underrespected
box, for sure.

Well, it seems that none of these are very popular anyway. Oberheim wasn't
very successful with them. And I have seen very, very few MIDI tools and
effects out there ever. 
I am not much of a musician, but usually and "end-user" of everything. I
can't imagine having two pieces of MIDI gear connected and NOT see and
filter the serial data in real time, at the very least. If functionality is
bundled into something which people already want to play with and hear, then
it gets more exposure and use just by tagging along for the ride. Like
Korg's "KARMA" system, for instance.

I think they all sound great. My guess about the Systemizer and Navigator
being less popular than the others was based only on prices I've observed.
Since these two usually went for less, I guessed that they were less
sought-after. I don't really know. Cyclone is the one I have heard most
about over the years and still often goes for the same price it did new,
about $200. When I said that the other units were more popular, I was
guessing that maybe the Systemizer and Navigator were more "utilitarian"
compared to Cyclone, Strummer, and Drummer. Many people who have heard of
and seen Perf/X modules have mentioned that they don't know what those
former modules do, even - which is probably due to its functions being a
less simple to explain in a one-word sentence. "arpeggiator" 
"guitar-phraser", "interactive pattern sequencer", "... ?" 

Mine doesn't work yet, but it sounds as if it can do splits, remapping, and
quite a few other cool things. Hey, I can barely "control" a single
keyboard, so I have much respect for those who can, and even play a whole
system. I'm just a tinkerer who likes low-level hardware stuff like this.

--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com, "Rick Massey" <seafox@...> wrote:
>
> Okay, well, here's a couple more things to look at.
> 
> I remember Oberheim had two upgrades to the units, a card reader that could
> be installed and a memory swap that would give the unit a lot more patch
> locations. This would be good to search out data on. 

I was taking with a guy about a year ago who said that he did in fact increase the memory of 
his Perf/X units. He told me that one just pops in a compatable RAM chip of a larger size. 
Mine have some kind of 6k Sony RAM, I'll check later as I just put them back together. 
Anyway I don't know much about the type of RAM used, and cursory searching hasn't turned 
up much. As I get back into these things I'll sort out the details. Another option is always to 
piggyback another of the same chip and install a bank select switch.

As for the card reader, I have read speculation about them - but I have never seen one 
installed, nor has anyone else I've asked. My guess is that they either never happened or are 
quite rare. On the left of the Perf/X PCB is a blank area for soldering in a card reader, but I 
don't know what type it was intended for. I'll look into how it was wired into the CPU buss, 
maybe this could make for a fun project!

I would love to help, but I only have a Cyclone and don't have the 
tools to read/write EPROMs.

I am insterested in experimenting...I you give me some more details, 
could will ship you a chip if you burn it with the Systemizer, mail 
the chip back to me.  I will then install it in my Cyclone and see if 
it works.  Heck, I'd even throw in $10 for your trouble.

We need to get/post the docs for the systemizer.  The PerF/X are 
basically worthless without the docs. 

Let me know more details if you want to do the test :) 
--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com, "acousmatique" <acousmatique@...> 
wrote:
>
> This is something I have suspected for a while. I've had a Cyclone 
for years which I use 
> from time to time. I've wanted to get the other Perf/X boxes but I 
usually don't have any 
> extra cash for them when I spot good deals. Recently I bought a 
slightly-broken 
> Systemizer which I'm gradually fixing. These boxes are exactly 
identical, controls, PCB, 
> except the case color.
> 
> Why this makes me so psyched is that we can swap ROMs! No matter 
which one of these 
> boxes you have, just swap the EPROM and it can be any of the 
others! I suggest we start a 
> repository so that people can freely get code for any of the other 
Perf/X boxes they've 
> wanted to try.
> 
> Last year I started by ripping and uploading the Cyclone ROM. Once 
I get the Systemizer 
> running properly I'll up that ROM too. Anybody else want to pitch 
in? This leaves the 
> Navigator, Strummer, Drummer - and maybe Chordinator, if that rare 
beast really exists - 
> to add to the archives.
> 
> I am perfectly happy to help anybody here who has these machines 
but no access to 
> EPROM tools. If you send another Perf/X to me I'll give you burned 
copies of the Cyclone 
> and Systemizer firmware to use, and I'll pay return postage. So for 
the cost of mailing it to 
> me and being without it for a couple of weeks, you'll basically be 
getting those other two 
> boxes, in their functionality. If you're sincerely interested then 
contact me, I might be 
> willing to mail a few ROMs out in advance to show that I am on the 
level. Easier if this is 
> for USA only, otherwise postage becomes more difficult and costly.
> 
> This way I figure if you have one Perf/X, you have all of them! 
This way we won't need to 
> shell out another $100-$200 on ebay for every other unit we want. 
Or you can buy a less 
> popular unit like the Systemizer or Navigator and load it with 
software for the "jammier" 

> units and get the same effect for a lesser cost. 
> 
> Thanks for considering!
> CJ Miller
>

Definitely. Especially on the Systemizer and Navigator, without the docs
you're going to be lost.

I need to get one of these of any stripe soon, so I can get a strummer, as I
have a Kurzweil 1000gx and good guitar strums sound amazing on that box. 

-----Original Message-----
From: oberheim@yahoogroups.com [mailto:oberheim@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of nelsonj_sce
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2007 1:35 PM
To: oberheim@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [oberheim] Re: The Perf/X units are all the same board! Cyclone,
Strummer, Drummer plz read!

I would love to help, but I only have a Cyclone and don't have the tools to
read/write EPROMs.

I am insterested in experimenting...I you give me some more details, could
will ship you a chip if you burn it with the Systemizer, mail the chip back
to me. I will then install it in my Cyclone and see if it works. Heck, I'd
even throw in $10 for your trouble.

We need to get/post the docs for the systemizer. The PerF/X are basically
worthless without the docs. 

Let me know more details if you want to do the test :)
--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com <mailto:oberheim%40yahoogroups.com> ,
"acousmatique" <acousmatique@...>
wrote:
>
> This is something I have suspected for a while. I've had a Cyclone
for years which I use 
> from time to time. I've wanted to get the other Perf/X boxes but I
usually don't have any 
> extra cash for them when I spot good deals. Recently I bought a
slightly-broken 
> Systemizer which I'm gradually fixing. These boxes are exactly
identical, controls, PCB, 
> except the case color.
> 
> Why this makes me so psyched is that we can swap ROMs! No matter
which one of these 
> boxes you have, just swap the EPROM and it can be any of the
others! I suggest we start a 
> repository so that people can freely get code for any of the other
Perf/X boxes they've 
> wanted to try.
> 
> Last year I started by ripping and uploading the Cyclone ROM. Once
I get the Systemizer 
> running properly I'll up that ROM too. Anybody else want to pitch
in? This leaves the 
> Navigator, Strummer, Drummer - and maybe Chordinator, if that rare
beast really exists - 
> to add to the archives.
> 
> I am perfectly happy to help anybody here who has these machines
but no access to 
> EPROM tools. If you send another Perf/X to me I'll give you burned
copies of the Cyclone 
> and Systemizer firmware to use, and I'll pay return postage. So for
the cost of mailing it to 
> me and being without it for a couple of weeks, you'll basically be
getting those other two 
> boxes, in their functionality. If you're sincerely interested then
contact me, I might be 
> willing to mail a few ROMs out in advance to show that I am on the
level. Easier if this is 
> for USA only, otherwise postage becomes more difficult and costly.
> 
> This way I figure if you have one Perf/X, you have all of them! 
This way we won't need to 
> shell out another $100-$200 on ebay for every other unit we want. 
Or you can buy a less 
> popular unit like the Systemizer or Navigator and load it with
software for the "jammier" 

> units and get the same effect for a lesser cost. 
> 
> Thanks for considering!
> CJ Miller
>

nelsonj_sce wrote:
> I would love to help, but I only have a Cyclone and don't have the 
> tools to read/write EPROMs.
>
>   
I have a PerfX I would sell--  It's the control one.

Cheap. Anybody interested?

-m@

--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com, "nelsonj_sce" <nelsonj_sce@...> wrote:
>
> I would love to help, but I only have a Cyclone and don't have the 
> tools to read/write EPROMs.

I uploaded my Cyclone v1.0 firmware into the group files some time ago. I recently 
dumped the one from my Systemizer... I just need to motivate myself to crimp a new 
ethernet cable so I can get that machine online and upload it. Maybe this weekend? I use a 
Willem EPROM burner and an old Dell workstation for this stuff.

> I am insterested in experimenting...I you give me some more details, 
> could will ship you a chip if you burn it with the Systemizer, mail 
> the chip back to me.  I will then install it in my Cyclone and see if 
> it works.  Heck, I'd even throw in $10 for your trouble.

Sounds good, please contact me off list via email.

 > We need to get/post the docs for the systemizer.  The PerF/X are 
> basically worthless without the docs. 

Very true! One gracious member of this list has offered to scan the Systemizer manual, 
more info as it comes. I hope to eventually understand these boxes inside and out, and 
realize some embedded coding chops for making similar tools - with real user interfaces! 
When I get some LCDs to play with I am definately going to try hooking one up to my 
Cyclone.

--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com, "Rick Massey" <seafox@...> wrote:
>
> Definitely. Especially on the Systemizer and Navigator, without the docs
> you're going to be lost.
> 
> I need to get one of these of any stripe soon, so I can get a strummer, as I
> have a Kurzweil 1000gx and good guitar strums sound amazing on that box. 

If I can get access to a Strummer ROM, I'll announce it and post in the files. All I need now are 
the Navigator, Drummer, and Strummer. And maybe someday the mythic Chordinator!

CJ

It looks like this thread has been dead for a long time, but I wanted to check in case anyone had learned anything new, and comment on an unanswered question.

If these units are all identical except for a single ROM IC, it should be possible to replace that IC with a customized larger bank switching IC such that an external switch would permit choosing the function of the unit.  This has been done with various computers and game consoles to allow switching OS roms or games, respectively.  

I would assume, however, that the battery backed memory would be lost and have to be wiped each time the function was changed, since the data format for each function would not necessarily be compatible (Strummer settings wouldn't work for the Cyclone, etc).

Next, there was a question in this tread about upgrading the memory in these units.  This is documented in some of the manuals (Strummer and Drummer), so memory can be upgraded as follows:

--
Memory Size
...
Your Perf/X comes stock with 8K of RAM (Random Access Memory).  It can be expanded to 32K of RAM allowing user patters to be recorded in all 100 presets/longer riff's to be recorded.  While the procedure is relatively simple, caution against static electricity must be exercised to avoid destroying your unit.  The services of qualified tech should be used to change the memory chip.  In case of problems occurring after a memory expansion, Oberheim will make the sole determination as to the correctness of the procedure and the cause of failures in circuitry.

Memory Expansion: (works in ALL Perf/X)

To expand the memory, replace the memory chip inside the Perf/X with a 32K x 8 low power static RAM (SRAM) with a speed of 150nS or better.  (The Hitachi part number for this is a UM62256A-15L.  Other brands will work fine.  The "generic" part number is 62256.)
--

These chips appear to be available, on eBay for example.

A quick look inside my Strummer reveals an HY6264LP-10 chip currently installed, which appears to be the standard 8K RAM.  Once I get this unit backed up, I plan to upgrade.

I don't see any mention of the RAM upgradability in the manual for the Cyclone, but the section in the Drummer manual does say _ALL_, so if the 8K IC is there, the Cyclone should be upgradable too, presumably increasing sequence memory.

Finally, my Strummer has a card slot that is populated by the appropriate card end (male) but I have no idea what fits in this slot or what it would be used for, and can find no mention in the manuals I've looked at so far.

Cheers

Hey, guys,

I've had an Oberheim Drummer for a long time, I think I bought it in 1992 or so.  After seeing one of the youtube demos of an Arp Quadra, I was thinking about getting an arpeggiator (I've never had one), and my thoughts turned to the cyclone.  Not long after google I ended up here.

The thought that I could transform my drummer into a cyclone with just an EPROM and a case of beer for my buddy with the eprom burner leaves me at a loss for words!

I know it's often frowned upon for people to join groups just to download files.  Not sure whether it's that way for this group, but I thought I'd at least leave this note to say "THANK YOU!"  I'm not sure how much of a group contributor I'll be, as this is the only piece of OB equipment I own.

So, somebody mentioned that these Perf/X units were derived from the code in an XK.  If you feel like enlightening a newbie, what's an XK?

Thanks again!

--> Steve

--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com, "Paul J. White" <pjwhite@...> wrote:

>
> In theory, you should be able to switch RAMs at the same time you switch ROMs, so you don't lose data when changing from one program to the next.  It would require more RAM chips, or one with larger capacity.
> 
> By the way, do you know what processor the Perf/X gadgets use?
> 
> -- Paul White
> 
> 
> At 03:17 PM 2/9/2010, you wrote:
> 
> >It looks like this thread has been dead for a long time, but I wanted to check in case anyone had learned anything new, and comment on an unanswered question.
> >
> >If these units are all identical except for a single ROM IC, it should be possible to replace that IC with a customized larger bank switching IC such that an external switch would permit choosing the function of the unit. This has been done with various computers and game consoles to allow switching OS roms or games, respectively. 
> >
> >I would assume, however, that the battery backed memory would be lost and have to be wiped each time the function was changed, since the data format for each function would not necessarily be compatible (Strummer settings wouldn't work for the Cyclone, etc).
> >
> >Next, there was a question in this tread about upgrading the memory in these units. This is documented in some of the manuals (Strummer and Drummer), so memory can be upgraded as follows:
> >
> >--
> >Memory Size
> >...
> >Your Perf/X comes stock with 8K of RAM (Random Access Memory). It can be expanded to 32K of RAM allowing user patters to be recorded in all 100 presets/longer riff's to be recorded. While the procedure is relatively simple, caution against static electricity must be exercised to avoid destroying your unit. The services of qualified tech should be used to change the memory chip. In case of problems occurring after a memory expansion, Oberheim will make the sole determination as to the correctness of the procedure and the cause of failures in circuitry.
> >
> >Memory Expansion: (works in ALL Perf/X)
> >
> >To expand the memory, replace the memory chip inside the Perf/X with a 32K x 8 low power static RAM (SRAM) with a speed of 150nS or better. (The Hitachi part number for this is a UM62256A-15L. Other brands will work fine. The "generic" part number is 62256.)
> >--
> >
> >These chips appear to be available, on eBay for example.
> >
> >A quick look inside my Strummer reveals an HY6264LP-10 chip currently installed, which appears to be the standard 8K RAM. Once I get this unit backed up, I plan to upgrade.
> >
> >I don't see any mention of the RAM upgradability in the manual for the Cyclone, but the section in the Drummer manual does say _ALL_, so if the 8K IC is there, the Cyclone should be upgradable too, presumably increasing sequence memory.
> >
> >Finally, my Strummer has a card slot that is populated by the appropriate card end (male) but I have no idea what fits in this slot or what it would be used for, and can find no mention in the manuals I've looked at so far.
> >
> >Cheers
> >
> >
>

Well, the Systemizer was basically an XK without the keyboard.

The XK was a MIDI controller that did some rather nice stuff. It was
originally designed as the controller for the Oberheim Xpander, but MIDI
being what it is it worked with all kinds of keyboards.

It was quite light -- it was very shallow, with a two space LED display and
not much else on the case except some buttons to program it. It had, IIRC,
76 keys and the obligatory two wheels.

I had one for a short time, but I couldn't resist trading it for a Revision
3.3 Prophet 5. I remember it being a great controller, and when I had my
systemizers I got to know the features a lot better and discovered some
interesting things. The systemizer is a combination of the wonderful key
mapping options of the XK along with some additional functions. I used one
live for a while to very good effect. What I wanted was a Systemizer with
two MIDI in ports and 4 MIDI out ports, as my rig got too big to just use 16
MIDI channels. 

-----Original Message-----
From: oberheim@yahoogroups.com [mailto:oberheim@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Steve
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 2:43 PM
To: oberheim@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [oberheim] Re: The Perf/X units are all the same board! Cyclone,
Strummer, Drummer plz read!

  



Hey, guys,

I've had an Oberheim Drummer for a long time, I think I bought it in 1992 or
so. After seeing one of the youtube demos of an Arp Quadra, I was thinking
about getting an arpeggiator (I've never had one), and my thoughts turned to
the cyclone. Not long after google I ended up here.

The thought that I could transform my drummer into a cyclone with just an
EPROM and a case of beer for my buddy with the eprom burner leaves me at a
loss for words!

I know it's often frowned upon for people to join groups just to download
files. Not sure whether it's that way for this group, but I thought I'd at
least leave this note to say "THANK YOU!" I'm not sure how much of a group
contributor I'll be, as this is the only piece of OB equipment I own.

So, somebody mentioned that these Perf/X units were derived from the code in
an XK. If you feel like enlightening a newbie, what's an XK?

Thanks again!

--> Steve

--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com <mailto:oberheim%40yahoogroups.com> , "Paul
J. White" <pjwhite@...> wrote:
>
> In theory, you should be able to switch RAMs at the same time you switch
ROMs, so you don't lose data when changing from one program to the next. It
would require more RAM chips, or one with larger capacity.
> 
> By the way, do you know what processor the Perf/X gadgets use?
> 
> -- Paul White
> 
> 
> At 03:17 PM 2/9/2010, you wrote:
> 
> >It looks like this thread has been dead for a long time, but I wanted to
check in case anyone had learned anything new, and comment on an unanswered
question.
> >
> >If these units are all identical except for a single ROM IC, it should be
possible to replace that IC with a customized larger bank switching IC such
that an external switch would permit choosing the function of the unit. This
has been done with various computers and game consoles to allow switching OS
roms or games, respectively. 
> >
> >I would assume, however, that the battery backed memory would be lost and
have to be wiped each time the function was changed, since the data format
for each function would not necessarily be compatible (Strummer settings
wouldn't work for the Cyclone, etc).
> >
> >Next, there was a question in this tread about upgrading the memory in
these units. This is documented in some of the manuals (Strummer and
Drummer), so memory can be upgraded as follows:
> >
> >--
> >Memory Size
> >...
> >Your Perf/X comes stock with 8K of RAM (Random Access Memory). It can be
expanded to 32K of RAM allowing user patters to be recorded in all 100
presets/longer riff's to be recorded. While the procedure is relatively
simple, caution against static electricity must be exercised to avoid
destroying your unit. The services of qualified tech should be used to
change the memory chip. In case of problems occurring after a memory
expansion, Oberheim will make the sole determination as to the correctness
of the procedure and the cause of failures in circuitry.
> >
> >Memory Expansion: (works in ALL Perf/X)
> >
> >To expand the memory, replace the memory chip inside the Perf/X with 
> >a 32K x 8 low power static RAM (SRAM) with a speed of 150nS or 
> >better. (The Hitachi part number for this is a UM62256A-15L. Other 
> >brands will work fine. The "generic" part number is 62256.)
> >--
> >
> >These chips appear to be available, on eBay for example.
> >
> >A quick look inside my Strummer reveals an HY6264LP-10 chip currently
installed, which appears to be the standard 8K RAM. Once I get this unit
backed up, I plan to upgrade.
> >
> >I don't see any mention of the RAM upgradability in the manual for the
Cyclone, but the section in the Drummer manual does say _ALL_, so if the 8K
IC is there, the Cyclone should be upgradable too, presumably increasing
sequence memory.
> >
> >Finally, my Strummer has a card slot that is populated by the appropriate
card end (male) but I have no idea what fits in this slot or what it would
be used for, and can find no mention in the manuals I've looked at so far.

> >
> >Cheers
> >
> >
>

> 
> Well, the Systemizer was basically an XK without the keyboard.

Possibly, but the Xk has no midi in port.


> 
> The XK was a MIDI controller that did some rather nice stuff. It was
> originally designed as the controller for the Oberheim 
> Xpander, but MIDI
> being what it is it worked with all kinds of keyboards.
> 

Now see, when I bought mine, the sales guy said it was the "other half" of
the Matrix 6R and had come out at the same time.

Figures.


> It was quite light -- it was very shallow, with a two space 
> LED display and
> not much else on the case except some buttons to program it. 
> It had, IIRC,
> 76 keys and the obligatory two wheels.

tut,tut!!
No wheels, champ!!
Oberheim didn't transact wheels!  Wheels were for dinosaur Moogs and Moog
wannabes.  Oberheim had those incredibly cool LEVERS (that I still prefer to
most others).  

61 notes, only.

> The systemizer is a combination of the 
> wonderful key
> mapping options of the XK along with some additional 
> functions. I used one
> live for a while to very good effect. What I wanted was a 
> Systemizer with
> two MIDI in ports and 4 MIDI out ports, as my rig got too big 
> to just use 16
> MIDI channels. 

The Xk *did* have cool mapping features.  Way ahead of its time, IIRC.  3
zones

I still use one.

L.

word. possibly one of the best midi contollers out there. -pc

On Dec 15, 2010, at 6:38 PM, "LarryS" <vision1@...> wrote:

> 
> > 
> > Well, the Systemizer was basically an XK without the keyboard.
> 
> Possibly, but the Xk has no midi in port.
> 
> > 
> > The XK was a MIDI controller that did some rather nice stuff. It was
> > originally designed as the controller for the Oberheim 
> > Xpander, but MIDI
> > being what it is it worked with all kinds of keyboards.
> > 
> 
> Now see, when I bought mine, the sales guy said it was the "other half" of
> the Matrix 6R and had come out at the same time.
> 
> Figures.
> 
> > It was quite light -- it was very shallow, with a two space 
> > LED display and
> > not much else on the case except some buttons to program it. 
> > It had, IIRC,
> > 76 keys and the obligatory two wheels.
> 
> tut,tut!!
> No wheels, champ!!
> Oberheim didn't transact wheels! Wheels were for dinosaur Moogs and Moog
> wannabes. Oberheim had those incredibly cool LEVERS (that I still prefer to
> most others). 
> 
> 61 notes, only.
> 
> > The systemizer is a combination of the 
> > wonderful key
> > mapping options of the XK along with some additional 
> > functions. I used one
> > live for a while to very good effect. What I wanted was a 
> > Systemizer with
> > two MIDI in ports and 4 MIDI out ports, as my rig got too big 
> > to just use 16
> > MIDI channels. 
> 
> The Xk *did* have cool mapping features. Way ahead of its time, IIRC. 3
> zones
> 
> I still use one.
> 
> L. 
> 
> 
>

Okay, so levers instead of wheels -- I thought of them as basically the same
thing. And I now remember it was 61 keys like the Matrix 6 and Matrix 12.

Some of the mapping and cycling features came from the old 4-voice era, as
you could do interesting things with rotating across multiple channels and
sources or set one to always play the high note on one channel, then down
from there. It was great on the systemizer for doing nice brass section
lines where things would track exactly like they should with careful playing
technique. 

-----Original Message-----
From: oberheim@yahoogroups.com [mailto:oberheim@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of LarryS
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 5:38 PM
To: oberheim@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [oberheim] Re: The Perf/X units are all the same board!
Cyclone, Strummer, Drummer plz read!

  


> 
> Well, the Systemizer was basically an XK without the keyboard.

Possibly, but the Xk has no midi in port.

> 
> The XK was a MIDI controller that did some rather nice stuff. It was 
> originally designed as the controller for the Oberheim Xpander, but 
> MIDI being what it is it worked with all kinds of keyboards.
> 

Now see, when I bought mine, the sales guy said it was the "other half" of
the Matrix 6R and had come out at the same time.

Figures.

> It was quite light -- it was very shallow, with a two space 
> LED display and
> not much else on the case except some buttons to program it. 
> It had, IIRC,
> 76 keys and the obligatory two wheels.

tut,tut!!
No wheels, champ!!
Oberheim didn't transact wheels! Wheels were for dinosaur Moogs and Moog
wannabes. Oberheim had those incredibly cool LEVERS (that I still prefer to
most others). 

61 notes, only.

> The systemizer is a combination of the 
> wonderful key
> mapping options of the XK along with some additional 
> functions. I used one
> live for a while to very good effect. What I wanted was a 
> Systemizer with
> two MIDI in ports and 4 MIDI out ports, as my rig got too big 
> to just use 16
> MIDI channels. 

The Xk *did* have cool mapping features. Way ahead of its time, IIRC. 3
zones

I still use one.

L.

I have a Drummer, and tried the cyclone rom in it.  What fun!

To give a little back, I've uploaded the rom image from my drummer, as I noticed it wasn't there.  I also uploaded a zip file with a Cyclone front panel image suitable for printing out and attaching to your Perf/X when the cyclone rom is in it.

I created the front panel in raw postscript, as I couldn't think of an adequate tool to do a bunch of "place exactly THIS text at exactly THIS size at exactly THIS place on the paper" operations.  I didn't work really hard at following document structuring conventions, so whether this file is valid postscript for whatever tool you might use is questionable.  As not everyone has access to a postscript printer, I also included a .pdf file and zipped them together.  (The pdf was created by viewing the postscript file on a Mac with the Preview application, then saving a pdf.  Hopefully that will be a valid PDF for everyone.)

I also got together with my friend who has the EPROM programmer, and we combined the Drummer and Cyclone images (each 32K) into one 64K rom, and put a switch on the high order address line.  We used a push on / push off switch, and we placed it so that you can reach the switch through the unused card slot on the side of the case.  So now I can switch personalities without opening the unit up, although it still requires clearing the battery backed RAM.

This is getting long, but if I don't write it now, I'll probably forget by the time someone asks me:  I considered putting a 32K RAM chip in to try to make each image use a different 8K, so I wouldn't need to clear RAM when switching personalities.  I don't think a 64K ram exists with a similar pinout, so having 32K for each personality isn't an option for a single chip.  But the images are already designed to look for 8K or 32K RAM, and one of the address lines for 32K goes into a CE line on the 8K chip, so there are portions of the 32K address space where the 8K chip won't respond -- it's not just "shadowed" over the whole 32k region.  I even investigated by disassembling one of the roms a bit, and the result is I believe you need additional circuitry to make sure your new ram won't respond at addresses where an 8K RAM wouldn't, or the firmware will believe you have a 32K RAM and probably overwrite parts of itself.  My friend suggested the additional circuitry could be a 7400 or a one-of-7 decoder, but I opted not to continue down that path as time was short.

Also of note: space between the board and the front panel is minimal.  The alternative trick of stacking two chips in the place of one won't fit, at least if you don't remove the socket (which may or may not work, I don't know).  That applies to ROM as well as RAM.  In fact, my original ROM had its pins trimmed, I assume so it fit lower in the socket; the remaining pins wouldn't reach the eprom programmer for reading, we had to stick another socket in between to make it work.

Anyway, thanks to all for pointing out this was possible and providing the cyclone image!

--> Steve Wahl

I use Excel for such things because you can set the position very exactly
with cell widths and such. 

-----Original Message-----
From: oberheim@yahoogroups.com [mailto:oberheim@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Steve
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 4:44 PM
To: oberheim@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [oberheim] Re: The Perf/X units are all the same board! Cyclone,
Strummer, Drummer plz read!

  



I have a Drummer, and tried the cyclone rom in it. What fun!

To give a little back, I've uploaded the rom image from my drummer, as I
noticed it wasn't there. I also uploaded a zip file with a Cyclone front
panel image suitable for printing out and attaching to your Perf/X when the
cyclone rom is in it.

I created the front panel in raw postscript, as I couldn't think of an
adequate tool to do a bunch of "place exactly THIS text at exactly THIS size
at exactly THIS place on the paper" operations. I didn't work really hard at
following document structuring conventions, so whether this file is valid
postscript for whatever tool you might use is questionable. As not everyone
has access to a postscript printer, I also included a .pdf file and zipped
them together. (The pdf was created by viewing the postscript file on a Mac
with the Preview application, then saving a pdf. Hopefully that will be a
valid PDF for everyone.)

I also got together with my friend who has the EPROM programmer, and we
combined the Drummer and Cyclone images (each 32K) into one 64K rom, and put
a switch on the high order address line. We used a push on / push off
switch, and we placed it so that you can reach the switch through the unused
card slot on the side of the case. So now I can switch personalities without
opening the unit up, although it still requires clearing the battery backed
RAM.

This is getting long, but if I don't write it now, I'll probably forget by
the time someone asks me: I considered putting a 32K RAM chip in to try to
make each image use a different 8K, so I wouldn't need to clear RAM when
switching personalities. I don't think a 64K ram exists with a similar
pinout, so having 32K for each personality isn't an option for a single
chip. But the images are already designed to look for 8K or 32K RAM, and one
of the address lines for 32K goes into a CE line on the 8K chip, so there
are portions of the 32K address space where the 8K chip won't respond --
it's not just "shadowed" over the whole 32k region. I even investigated by
disassembling one of the roms a bit, and the result is I believe you need
additional circuitry to make sure your new ram won't respond at addresses
where an 8K RAM wouldn't, or the firmware will believe you have a 32K RAM
and probably overwrite parts of itself. My friend suggested the additional
circuitry could be a 7400 or a one-of-7 decoder, but I opted not to continue
down that path as time was short.

Also of note: space between the board and the front panel is minimal. The
alternative trick of stacking two chips in the place of one won't fit, at
least if you don't remove the socket (which may or may not work, I don't
know). That applies to ROM as well as RAM. In fact, my original ROM had its
pins trimmed, I assume so it fit lower in the socket; the remaining pins
wouldn't reach the eprom programmer for reading, we had to stick another
socket in between to make it work.

Anyway, thanks to all for pointing out this was possible and providing the
cyclone image!

--> Steve Wahl

Just read through this entire thread, great news! Of course I need to get my drummer working but maybe once its up, if i purchase an eprom, would someone be able to burn another program onto it?



--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com, "Nicole Massey" <nyyki@...> wrote:

>
> I use Excel for such things because you can set the position very exactly
> with cell widths and such. 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: oberheim@yahoogroups.com [mailto:oberheim@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
> Of Steve
> Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 4:44 PM
> To: oberheim@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [oberheim] Re: The Perf/X units are all the same board! Cyclone,
> Strummer, Drummer plz read!
> 
>   
> 
> 
> 
> I have a Drummer, and tried the cyclone rom in it. What fun!
> 
> To give a little back, I've uploaded the rom image from my drummer, as I
> noticed it wasn't there. I also uploaded a zip file with a Cyclone front
> panel image suitable for printing out and attaching to your Perf/X when the
> cyclone rom is in it.
> 
> I created the front panel in raw postscript, as I couldn't think of an
> adequate tool to do a bunch of "place exactly THIS text at exactly THIS size
> at exactly THIS place on the paper" operations. I didn't work really hard at
> following document structuring conventions, so whether this file is valid
> postscript for whatever tool you might use is questionable. As not everyone
> has access to a postscript printer, I also included a .pdf file and zipped
> them together. (The pdf was created by viewing the postscript file on a Mac
> with the Preview application, then saving a pdf. Hopefully that will be a
> valid PDF for everyone.)
> 
> I also got together with my friend who has the EPROM programmer, and we
> combined the Drummer and Cyclone images (each 32K) into one 64K rom, and put
> a switch on the high order address line. We used a push on / push off
> switch, and we placed it so that you can reach the switch through the unused
> card slot on the side of the case. So now I can switch personalities without
> opening the unit up, although it still requires clearing the battery backed
> RAM.
> 
> This is getting long, but if I don't write it now, I'll probably forget by
> the time someone asks me: I considered putting a 32K RAM chip in to try to
> make each image use a different 8K, so I wouldn't need to clear RAM when
> switching personalities. I don't think a 64K ram exists with a similar
> pinout, so having 32K for each personality isn't an option for a single
> chip. But the images are already designed to look for 8K or 32K RAM, and one
> of the address lines for 32K goes into a CE line on the 8K chip, so there
> are portions of the 32K address space where the 8K chip won't respond --
> it's not just "shadowed" over the whole 32k region. I even investigated by
> disassembling one of the roms a bit, and the result is I believe you need
> additional circuitry to make sure your new ram won't respond at addresses
> where an 8K RAM wouldn't, or the firmware will believe you have a 32K RAM
> and probably overwrite parts of itself. My friend suggested the additional
> circuitry could be a 7400 or a one-of-7 decoder, but I opted not to continue
> down that path as time was short.
> 
> Also of note: space between the board and the front panel is minimal. The
> alternative trick of stacking two chips in the place of one won't fit, at
> least if you don't remove the socket (which may or may not work, I don't
> know). That applies to ROM as well as RAM. In fact, my original ROM had its
> pins trimmed, I assume so it fit lower in the socket; the remaining pins
> wouldn't reach the eprom programmer for reading, we had to stick another
> socket in between to make it work.
> 
> Anyway, thanks to all for pointing out this was possible and providing the
> cyclone image!
> 
> --> Steve Wahl
>

By the way, there's a picture of the insides of a cyclone with a 1.2 ROM here:

http://pics.studiorepair.de/Oberheim/Cyclone/slides/Oberheim_Cyclone_PCB.html

So it looks like, out there somewhere, there's a newer version than the 1.0 that's in the files section.  So, if anybody every runs across a newer version, um, feel free to update us with a newer image file!

--> Steve

I've uploaded front panel images of Cyclone, Drummer and Strummer. The Drummer is the only one not photographed by me, I found that one on the web. It's rough but useable. 

These should print out in exactly the right size, and you could maybe laminate them for use on your Perf/X device. 

I am about to explore the area of EPROM copying and burning. My Cyclone is v 1.2, and I have a Strummer also...

Hello.  I have a BK Precision 844 programmer.  I could easily make images of the Strummer and the Cyclone v1.2 (mine is only v1) If you include the blank EPROMs I could make copies for you as well of course.  Let me know.  I'll then post them in the file repository so the whole group can take advantage.

--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com, "tomulcahy" <tomulcahy@...> wrote:

>
> I've uploaded front panel images of Cyclone, Drummer and Strummer. The Drummer is the only one not photographed by me, I found that one on the web. It's rough but useable. 
> 
> These should print out in exactly the right size, and you could maybe laminate them for use on your Perf/X device. 
> 
> I am about to explore the area of EPROM copying and burning. My Cyclone is v 1.2, and I have a Strummer also...
>

Hi everybody, (new to this forum!)
really happy i found this thread since i lost (!) my loved Cyclone and would like to transplant a cyclone eprom into that strummer thing. 
Has anyone the 1.2 version image? I remember my 1.0 to be a bit buggy...
Greetings!





--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com, "nuttercenter" <nuttercenter2@...> wrote:

>
> 
> 
> Hello.  I have a BK Precision 844 programmer.  I could easily make images of the Strummer and the Cyclone v1.2 (mine is only v1) If you include the blank EPROMs I could make copies for you as well of course.  Let me know.  I'll then post them in the file repository so the whole group can take advantage.
> 
> --- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com, "tomulcahy" <tomulcahy@> wrote:
> >
> > I've uploaded front panel images of Cyclone, Drummer and Strummer. The Drummer is the only one not photographed by me, I found that one on the web. It's rough but useable. 
> > 
> > These should print out in exactly the right size, and you could maybe laminate them for use on your Perf/X device. 
> > 
> > I am about to explore the area of EPROM copying and burning. My Cyclone is v 1.2, and I have a Strummer also...
> >
>

Hi,

I´m a new user of this Oberheim group.
Thank you for the images of the three perf/x units.
Would like to know if you could upload the Cyclone v1.2 EPROM, please.

Alex


--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com, "tomulcahy" <tomulcahy@...> wrote:

>
> I've uploaded front panel images of Cyclone, Drummer and Strummer. The Drummer is the only one not photographed by me, I found that one on the web. It's rough but useable. 
> 
> These should print out in exactly the right size, and you could maybe laminate them for use on your Perf/X device. 
> 
> I am about to explore the area of EPROM copying and burning. My Cyclone is v 1.2, and I have a Strummer also...
>

Hello,

I've just joined this group & have a Systemizer upcoming. Nice to find a group related to it !

Interesting to read the difference between these boxes is just the EPROM-contents.

I've read through this thread, but wasn't sure if people have actually managed to transform these boxes into each other?

Thanks/regards

Hey there,
 I dont contribute much to the group but the only oberheim stuff I have is Perf/X! 
 Yes they are indeed the same board, I have a Drummer with a bad power supply switch problem that I can't figure out, so I switch out the two roms there into the Systemizer's board when I want to use it (and vice versa)
 I had first tried just switching out the one ROM i thought held all the data, but it didn't work. I just guessed and took out the one sitting next to it and switched that and it worked fine.
 I've held up the boards for cyclone,drummer, and systemizer and they are all definitely the same board.

--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com, "jackguernsey"  wrote:

>
> 
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I've just joined this group & have a Systemizer upcoming. Nice to find a group related to it !
> 
> Interesting to read the difference between these boxes is just the EPROM-contents.
> 
> I've read through this thread, but wasn't sure if people have actually managed to transform these boxes into each other?
> 
> Thanks/regards
>

Yeah, I made my Systemizer a Drummer.




________________________________

 From: jackguernsey <chickennerdpig@...>
To: oberheim@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Thursday, 17 January 2013, 11:32
Subject: [oberheim] Re: The Perf/X units are all the same board! Cyclone, Strummer, Drummer plz read!
 

  


Hello,

I've just joined this group & have a Systemizer upcoming. Nice to find a group related to it !

Interesting to read the difference between these boxes is just the EPROM-contents.

I've read through this thread, but wasn't sure if people have actually managed to transform these boxes into each other?

Thanks/regards

Thanks for the quick responses all!  That sounds all very good.

The Systemizer is the one that I'll be receiving.

Despite the many possibilities, I saw though that the velocity-modification possibilities of the Systemizer don't seem to cover what I was hoping for (no velocity-range extending, it's 'just' bending the response curve, if I'm not mistaken).


Could the Navigator perhaps do this ?
Two parameters would be all I need, just as other MIDI-processors do:
velocity-scaling (expansion/compression) & velocity-shifting (to place it all where you want it).

If it could, the next problem is of course finding the Navigator-code; IIRC it is not avaiable.

But let's start simpler, is the Navigator-manual actually available in electronic form ? Then I could have a look if it can actually do it.


Thanks/regards

Just got myself a Drummer with the intention of switching it to a Cyclone, but can't find my eprom burner (bought it years ago when I had a LinnDrum).  

Anyone wanna make a couple easy dollars and burn me a Cyclone eprom? I'm in NYC if that makes any difference.

-Alex

Hi Alex,
 
I can help with burning an eprom. I'm upstate... Send me an email.
 
All I can find is the V1.0 Cyclone image. Any idea where a newer version might be hiding out??? (This answers the next post about V1.2)
 
Fran

>________________________________
> From: kestner.alex <alex.kestner@...>
>To: oberheim@yahoogroups.com 
>Sent: Friday, March 8, 2013 7:48 PM
>Subject: [oberheim] Re: The Perf/X units are all the same board! Cyclone, Strummer, Drummer plz read!
>   
> 
>   
> 
>Just got myself a Drummer with the intention of switching it to a Cyclone, but can't find my eprom burner (bought it years ago when I had a LinnDrum). 
>
>Anyone wanna make a couple easy dollars and burn me a Cyclone eprom? I'm in NYC if that makes any difference.
>
>-Alex
>
>   
>

Hello Fran,

I'm in the same boat, so I'm also interested in the Cyclone EPROM. What is the difference in the versions you mentioned?

How many of the other systems can be cloned? I would like to have as many as possible to try out the different tricks of each unit. 

I'm interested in the Cyclone, Strummer, Navigator, and the rare Chordinator (actually released?).

The BIN files in the files section here is only for updating, not burning a new EPROM, right?

Thanks,
Andy

--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com, Narfman96 - Narfland Studio <narfman96@...> wrote:

>
> Hi Alex,
> Â 
> I can help with burning an eprom. I'm upstate... Send me an email.
> Â 
> All I can find is the V1.0 Cyclone image. Any idea where a newer version might be hiding out??? (This answers the next post about V1.2)
> Â 
> Fran
> 
> 
> >________________________________
> > From: kestner.alex <alex.kestner@...>
> >To: oberheim@yahoogroups.com 
> >Sent: Friday, March 8, 2013 7:48 PM
> >Subject: [oberheim] Re: The Perf/X units are all the same board! Cyclone, Strummer, Drummer plz read!
> >   
> > 
> >Â   
> > 
> >Just got myself a Drummer with the intention of switching it to a Cyclone, but can't find my eprom burner (bought it years ago when I had a LinnDrum). 
> >
> >Anyone wanna make a couple easy dollars and burn me a Cyclone eprom? I'm in NYC if that makes any difference.
> >
> >-Alex
> >
> >   
> >
>

Hello Fran,

I posted already but it didn't show up for some reason. 

I'm also interested in a burned EPROM for the Cyclone (I have a Drummer).

Do you also have the ability to burn EPROMs for Strummer, Navigator, and Systemizer? I also heard about a Chordizer but never saw one.

Thanks,
Andy

--- In oberheim@yahoogroups.com, Narfman96 - Narfland Studio <narfman96@...> wrote:

>
> Hi Alex,
> Â 
> I can help with burning an eprom. I'm upstate... Send me an email.
> Â 
> All I can find is the V1.0 Cyclone image. Any idea where a newer version might be hiding out??? (This answers the next post about V1.2)
> Â 
> Fran
> 
> 
> >________________________________
> > From: kestner.alex <alex.kestner@...>
> >To: oberheim@yahoogroups.com 
> >Sent: Friday, March 8, 2013 7:48 PM
> >Subject: [oberheim] Re: The Perf/X units are all the same board! Cyclone, Strummer, Drummer plz read!
> >   
> > 
> >Â   
> > 
> >Just got myself a Drummer with the intention of switching it to a Cyclone, but can't find my eprom burner (bought it years ago when I had a LinnDrum). 
> >
> >Anyone wanna make a couple easy dollars and burn me a Cyclone eprom? I'm in NYC if that makes any difference.
> >
> >-Alex
> >
> >   
> >
>

Hi Andy,
 
I can burn eproms for anything that we can find the bin file for. I have no idea what the difference in versions could be since I don't have these units. Supposedly any of these can be cloned with a new eprom. The only issue I can see from all the posts is the legend for the different front panels and the instructions for each unit. The bin files in the files section are for each unit. They are the full firmware for a new eprom not just updates.
 
The reason your first post did not come through immediately is every new member is under moderation until they make a valid post. Then the moderators (myself included) lift the moderation. I'm sure everyone understands about the whole spambot thing. A necessary evil in today's online community. 
 
Hang ten,  Fran

>________________________________
> From: AJ <kingvidiot83@...>
>To: oberheim@yahoogroups.com 
>Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 8:36 PM
>Subject: [oberheim] Re: The Perf/X units are all the same board! Cyclone, Strummer, Drummer plz read!
>  
> 
> 
>   
> 
>Hello Fran,
>
>I'm in the same boat, so I'm also interested in the Cyclone EPROM. What is the difference in the versions you mentioned?
>
>How many of the other systems can be cloned? I would like to have as many as possible to try out the different tricks of each unit. 
>
>I'm interested in the Cyclone, Strummer, Navigator, and the rare Chordinator (actually released?).
>
>The BIN files in the files section here is only for updating, not burning a new EPROM, right?
>
>Thanks,
>Andy
>
>--- In mailto:oberheim%40yahoogroups.com, Narfman96 - Narfland Studio <narfman96@...> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Alex,
>> Â 
>> I can help with burning an eprom. I'm upstate... Send me an email.
>> Â 
>> All I can find is the V1.0 Cyclone image. Any idea where a newer version might be hiding out??? (This answers the next post about V1.2)
>> Â 
>> Fran
>> 
>> 
>> >________________________________
>> > From: kestner.alex <alex.kestner@...>
>> >To: mailto:oberheim%40yahoogroups.com 
>> >Sent: Friday, March 8, 2013 7:48 PM
>> >Subject: [oberheim] Re: The Perf/X units are all the same board! Cyclone, Strummer, Drummer plz read!
>> > 
>> > 
>> >Â  
>> > 
>> >Just got myself a Drummer with the intention of switching it to a Cyclone, but can't find my eprom burner (bought it years ago when I had a LinnDrum). 
>> >
>> >Anyone wanna make a couple easy dollars and burn me a Cyclone eprom? I'm in NYC if that makes any difference.
>> >
>> >-Alex
>> >
>> > 
>> >
>>
>
>   
>

Hello guys,

I've just joined because I accidentally fried my Cyclone using the wrong polarity, but luckily I still have the Drummer and would like the Cyclone EPROM chip. I'm willing to pay and have this done. It looks like I'll have to message "Fran" on here for that. Hopefully I can revive the Cyclone, it's a one of a kind!

Using the wrong adapter usually kills the 7805 regulator. That's an easy fix.

The rest is probably unaffected which means the EPROM is likely to work.
Just move it from the Cyclone PCB to the Drummer PCB, put that PCB in the
Cyclone enclosure and you have a working Cyclone (without your saved
presets; you need to make a complete reset).
It might be a good idea to replace the 7805 first, though.

Thanks for the replies. I've just acquired the services of Fran to help repair the Cyclone. Hopefully it can be revived! I'm grateful and happy to see the OB community is still around!

Are you aware, that you are replying to a post, that is two years old?

Am 20.01.2015 um 14:05 schrieb nat.fowler@... [oberheim]:
> M@, two just broke on me, I would be interested, PM me

On 20.01.15 22:20 , nat.fowler@... [oberheim] wrote:
> I wrote it, realised it was old, clicked on cancel,...
:)
Who wouldn't know