jrg56

I'm nor pushing any particular brand or auction service so please don't misunderstand, but E-mu has a small piano module that can be picked up for as little as $40.00 add a cheap keyboard controller either Midiman or E-Mu or whatever and you might have what your looking for. Also saw a Proteus 1 for under 100 on E-Bay today. Older tech to be sure but quite suited to what you want IMHO. There are also often Alesis Nano-Piano, Nano-Bass and Nano-Synth modules for under 100 that when coupled with a keyboard controller could be helpful.

Kind of depends on your price range, I have bought several on E-Bay, search by brand name. (emu,e-mu) yields several. You can pick up a module and a keyboard controller fairly cheap. If you can afford it a Proteus 2000 and an X-Board is a pretty good way to go to get some serious sound. Latter if you can afford them you can add additional ROMs to the Proteus 2000 yielding an incredible pallet of sounds. Search for Rolland, Korg, and my favorite Alesis as well.

So here we are, I have a Computer with XP and a Adaptec 2940UW SCSI controller (ID7) a Toshiba CD Rom TM3301E1 (ID3) a 9Gig SCSI HP Hard Drive (ID1) and an ESI32 32meg (ID5) hooked up in that order. Strange things happen. When I first hooked it all up the Computer saw the CD the HD and the ESI32 but Sound Forge 6 could not write WAV files to the ESI32. ESI-WIN saw all the equipment. I formatted the HD from the ESI32 and it works fine the CD works fine. However now the computer does not see the HD though it does see the CD. ESI-WIN sees the CD and the Sampler not the HD. The HD works I can send WAV files from the computer to the ESI32 for about 3-5 times then I get time out errors. I have to shut the ESI32 down reconfigure it in SoundForge 6 and save the configuration. This works but it gets annoying because I have to repeat the process so often. The Apaptec SCSI card is self terminated internally and on the external chain. When it works it works GREAT but for only a few transfers. Taking it down to just the computer and the ESI32 does not fix the problem. Plus I need the HD hooked up so I can save banks to it that I am loading into the ESI32 (waiting to get all these other bugs fixed before I try that). Anyway I don't think it's a termination issue but am not sure I have no documentation on the Toshiba CD and can't seem to find anything online but broken links. The HD probably isn't the problem as it persists even when it's not in the chain plus other than the computer not seeing it, it works fine. JRG

Got the cable installed the SCSI card and the SATA controller went crazy and started insisting that I create a drive array. If I do that will wipe out the data on the drive. I'm now in the process of trying to get a new drive controller card. I may head out to the storage unit and just grab another computer and move the SCSI card to it. Don't have any librarian software as yet, my first task is to see if I can get WAV files loaded onto the ESI32 using SOUND FORGE 6. I downloaded a free vocoder "AnalogX" and made a cool wav I'd like to try. I'm on my way out to try and buy a SATA card locally if I can't find that I'm heading for the storage unit to get another computer. Picked up to Cd's of samples from Syntec very nice sounds for the ESI32. Got the Proteus/1 with Protologic board, really cool unit. Now I need to do something different for a mixer setup. One of my Yamaha MV802 is making noise and I need at least another 4 inputs. Just about all the E-Mus claim that you can plug a cable into one of the extra outputs that if setup properly will send the input to the main outs but I can't figure out if I need to make a cable or if I can buy them pretty made the guys at the music store just looked at me like I was crazy when I asked about it. JRG

Good idea, I can only hope it can receive midi messages that might control it's function. It has a A and B MAC type serial ports on the back and I suspect if I had the software I could make it work. I actually have an old Apple computer from the same time frame this thing must be from. However even without getting it to do what I want it works fine as a Midi Merge/Thru box. I'll keep looking SCSI cables arrived today and now it's time to hook up the ESI32 to the computer. That's going to be fun I'm sure JRG

Your right about that, the ROMs cost more than I paid for the Proteus 2000. I'm not sure of the cost in relation to setting up a complete computer and buying the software to go with a VST. Personally I think keeping the load off the computer processor by using Real Synths would be a benefit, but then you have to worry about getting the sound back into the computer. I'm getting an Alesis IO2 Audio Midi USB Interface for that purpose. Hopefully SCSI cables will arrive today and I can continue trying to hook my ESI32 to my computer . JRG

Thanks for the link John, unfortunately this thing is so old it's not in the list. I contacted support didn't get a reply. It's working just fine as a MIDI through box, still haven't made it over to the MAC store apparently they moved it. JRG

Well, E-Win trying to write to floppy was a no go, not sure why. I took the DISK to the ESI32 and formatted it in the EOS formatt E-Win sees it but when it tries to write the imported wav it fails. No idea why. Ah well, SCSI cable still hasn't arrived. JRG

The Saga continues, got a SCSI HD for the ESI32 unfortunately it arrived with the wrong cable. So I'm waiting for the right cable to arrive with a new SCSI card So hopefully I'll be able to accomplish my project (hooking the ESI32 to my computer to transfer wavs from Sound Forge) in one fell swoop. Downloaded a program called E-Win that claims to be able to put files on floppy in EOS formatt. I'll get some floppies today and try that as I wait for the mail. It also allows for transfer of banks from the ESI32 or maybe even SCSI HD to image files that can be burnt to a CD I hope so that would be GREAT. JRG

Wow, I wish I had started with all E-Mu Equipment and saved myself a bunch of money. I just got a Proteus 2000 I've been bidding on one of these for a while now and finally snagged one. I've been playing with it all afternoon. I could have replaced every single piece of equipment I have bought over the last 20 years with this one device and still not have run out of possibilities. No wonder the ROM cards that go into this little wonder go for so much. The first two I think I want to add are the 2 orchestral modules, which if I understand correctly are the innards from the Virtuoso module. I heard a demo of this unit on line somewhere and it fits squarely into my perceived niche. So if I can ever get some more sample CDs for the ESI32 and add 4 more Rom cards (3 empty slots in P2K and one in XL1). If I can get a P2K that's had the composer ROM removed for cheap enough I could have another 4 slots. So any suggestions on which ROMs fit into Trance, Space, Film Score, Electonica? Here's the list Siedlaczek Orchestra 32 MB ROM. Pure Phatt 32 MB ROM - standard in Mo'Phatt, MP-7 and MK-6. Beat Garden 32 MB ROM - standard in Orbit 3. Protozoa 16 MB ROM - standard in Proteus 1, 2, 3. Definitive B-3 32 MB ROM - standard in B-3. Techno Synth Construction Yard 32 MB ROM - standard in Orbit 3. Orchestral Session Vol. 1 32 MB ROM - standard in Virtuoso 2000. Orchestral Session Vol. 2 32 MB ROM - standard in Virtuoso 2000. World Expedition 32 MB ROM - standard in Planet Earth. Sounds of the ZR feat. Perfect Piano 32 MB ROM - standard in Ensoniq Halo. X-Lead 32 MB ROM - standard in Xtreme Lead-1, XL-7 and XK-6. JRG Alesis QS6.1 E-Mu ESI32 E-Mu Proteus/2 E-Mu Proteus 2000 E-Mu XL-1 Kawai K1 Korg M1R Roland JX-3P with PG-200 programmer Roland HP6000s Digital Piano 2 Roland MT-32 2 Yamaha MV802 mixers Oberheim Cyclone Obeheim Strummer

OK, the MOTU Midi Express arrived today, YAY it does have front panel controls (not visible to me in the sellers photos ... bad eyes) You can switch between user banks and factory not having software I'm certain that I can't use the user banks. However the front panel lists several setups that it cycles through using the front panel buttons. Under the factory included presets there is a labeled setting for Chanel Sequencer and 2 labeled 16 Chanel sequencer. I'm fairly certain you have to be using those serial ports on the back to use them On the back there are 4 Midi inputs and 6 Midi outputs, 3 jacks 1 SMPTE In and 1 SMPTE Out and a Foot switch which I have surmised is for stepping through presets can't be sure (no manual). There are 2 MAC style serial connectors they look like Mouse and Keyboard connectors that are on the PC. I'm going to the local MAC store to see what I can find out there. I plugged it in and it works as a MIDI Thru box quite well and since I didn't pay any more for it than a good 1x4 thru box, I'm happy. It does include SMPTE, but with no manual or software I'm not sure it can be used. It's serial MIDI connections are of the same type on the back of my Alesis QS6.1, so I wonder if I can plug the Synth in and use it to control all the other devices kind of pointless since the QS6.1 doesn't have a sequencer. Anyway if anyone has any knowledge on this I'd like to hear it. More in the saga as I learn it. JRG

Ok, hooked it into my rig this thing sounds great, I need to figure out how to get more things plugged in. Buy some 4 channel mixers and consolidate some of my stuff? Anys this is about the ESI32 So I found these links on hooking the ESI32 to the computer via the SCSI interface here is the link lots of good info here http://www.tweakheadz.com/scsi_transfer_pc...emu_sampler.htm. I haven't done this yet as I need to get a SCSI HD into the mix and software to transfer the WAV files to the ESI32, this is amazing to me apparently it works so if this is true there are tons of wav files out there that could be used in many interesting (ok only to me) ways. One thing to watch out for is if the newer software that does the Wav editing supports the SCSI transfer. So maybe I will have to dig up some vintage software to go with this vintage sampler, but so far color me impressed with it. I always wanted to be able to play distorted guitar on my keyboard now I can the GreytSounds CD that came with the unit has a bank called metal guitar (not sure that's the exact name) but anyway it sounds great. I also have dibs on an audio input for my computer so maybe (extremely maybe) I'll put something on here for review and let you guys rip me to shreds . As stated earlier I only make music (if it can be called that) for my own enjoyment anyway. Don't want to get of topic, I need to find a thread on the nature of music. JRG

Ok, as usual I leapt before I looked, years ago I read articles about the MOTU Time Piece a way to use SMPTE time code with MIDI sequencing. Of course I couldn't afford any of this gear back then, and so when I found a Mark of the Unicorn Midi Express on E-bay I bought it. I did run the references on it and found several with designations like XT, 128 8x8. Apparently mine predates all of these, this is a MIDI computer interface turns out the unit I bought (now in transit) has a serial interface has 4 Midi Inputs and 6 Midi outs so apparently it does some MIDI routing or merging (yet to be determined) the downside it's meant for MAC I use PCs (not to fret in my arsenal of outdated gear in my storage unit there is an old Mac of some sort) Apparently later models you could buy ISA cards for the PC that would allow it to be used. Found an article about making a null modem type cable to hook it to a PC without the card, however I still won't have the software and MOTU doesn't supply drivers for it anymore or at least I didn't find them on the website. No manual of course. So if you have info I'd appreciate input, if not I will post what I can find out here for others to learn from my mistakes. I will eventually buy the newer MOTU AV (sure when I go pro) as I have this mad desire to write sound tracks hence the need for SMPTE. Probably lots of the new software sequencers do this automatically but I have yet to get that far. JRG

The agony continues, still haven't found it as yet. Did as was suggested (thanks for that hint) and searched images of Yamaha Keyboards on Goggle, haven't found it yet. However I did get the name of the breath controller it used BC1. I haven't been able to find one but I was hoping for an on line copy of the manual that might mention what it works with which then would give me the name of the synth I'm looking for. It had to have come out in the same time frame as the BC1 because they didn't mention the BC2 or BC3 in the manual. I know it was also sligtly before that music laptop computer that Yamaha came out with. JRG