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

I haven't given up yet but am getting very discouraged. Yamaha refuses to answer my queries. People think I'm crazy when I ask about it remember this thing would have been produced sometime in the mid 80s which seems like yesterday for me, but dinosaur days for others. I'm beginning to think I'll never find it there were no Windows anything, no access to what we now call the web there was INTERNET but it was text only, computers barely had graphics compared to today. Those of us with Atari's and Amiga's were on the cutting edge while the PC (refereed to as IBM PC back then) was in it's infancy. I'm no longer sure of the DX designation or even the 50 just that it was an FM synth, had a short keyboard not sure it was much more than 3 or 4 octaves. The case was silver, it had no speakers on board. Did have MIDI, no sequencer, was primarily intended to run on batteries C or D can't remember. Did have pegs for Guitar strap. Had an optional breath controller (the same one available for the DX100 so if anyone has one of those it might mention what else it's compatible with and that could be a lead). I bought mine within months of when the DX100 came out because I remember at the time I kicked myself for not waiting for that one (of course I didn't know it was coming at the time) I've seen it listed in equipment lists for a couple of studios in Russia and Germany but I don't speak any of those languages so I doubt I'll get a reply to my e-mails from them. I thin I mentioned that there is a reference to a sound card from Yamaha also called the DX50 which a friend of mine went out and bought for his PC based on the sound of my machine (whatever it was called I still think it was DX50). One last detail the buttons to change banks and select patches were the same teal green color as On he DX7, and were of the rubber chicklet let style. The kind folks over at vintage synth explorer are sure I'm hallucinating, but I swear this isn't a senior moment. JRG

I won't duplicate it but I posted the latest on the ESI32 Saga in Anyone still using the ESi 32? Topic Short version SCSI CD drive works fine love the sounds on the Greytsouds CD. Fairlight I, II, III, Synclavier and many other classic synths I could never have gotten any other way. Very pleased so far. JRG

More on the ESI32 Saga, Wow, so far things are going super well. I went out and bought a SCSI terminator just to be sure I couldn't find docs on the Toshiba TXM3301E1 saw lots of dead links to drivers for it. Anyway hooked the terminator up made sure the device ID wasn't set to 5 the ID of the ESI32 and then got a surprise when I plugged it in, it ejected and it has a CD caddy in it. Wow this thing is old. I put the Greytsounds Best of Everything CD in and spent most of the afternoon in bliss listening to all the great sounds. I still have a ton to learn about this thing but so far other than being a bit out of date I really like it. I need to hook it up to a computer with SCSI and several hard drives in the SCSI chain. I found a bunch of 2 gig barracuda hard drives that I could put in an old PC case with a SCSI card and have more than enough storage. Something I haven't figured out: The CD is labeled for the EIIIxp/xs, yet it loads just fine if I use the translate button it says it doesn't find an E-MAX drive. Is that because it's meant to hook directly to an E-max to do the import? Would the same thing happen if I had an AKAI CD in the tray? Something important to know before I buy CDs that are for the AKAI. Is there any chance it would do the same with AKAI CDs as it's doing with this one (working)? AKAI is clearly one of the import modes. I'm only listening to it through Headphones currently because I need to make room and get more cables to put it into my current setup. It doesn't have much volume which may be easily fixed when its going through the mixer *yes I have the samples set to high volume*. I wonder if the volume knob might have been put back on wrong when they did the OS upgrade. The knob is also very tight an hard to turn. JRG

Oh wise one, I truly need your help. I got my ESI32 yesterday, it indeed has the SCSI port and came with a SCSI CD rom. The Rom version was upgraded to 3.02 version, not sure if that's the latest. It has 32mb of ROM and I have loaded from the floppy drives so far, 2 of the set of 3 banks work the Orchestral Disk 1 gets a crc error. I need to go out and buy some new power strips to hook up the CD rom as the cord that came with it is extremely short. I know a bit bout SCSI having used it in the distant past. So I understand proper termination and device numbers. I have an old PC with a SCSIi card (running XP) that I used to use with an HP scanner (long gone sadly it beat the pants of some off the newer ones). Ok so here are the noob questions, (I've never had a sampler before) First question You mentioned WAV files are you sampling the wav files from your sound card or does the ESI32 use them directly. Second question Are you accessing the ESI32 from your computer as if it's memory were a hard drive to write to, or are you using the import feature from the front panel. Third question From the ESI32s perspective what does it see on your computer? Fourth question From your computers standpoint how does it view the ESI32 does it show up as another drive in the list or are you accessing it through software of some type? JRG

Wow it showed up today, it appears to be in great shape. Had to work today so I'm to tired to really mess with it. Come tomorow though It came with a SCSI CD drive and 32mb. A lead on sounds it came with a CD from Greytsounds I can only assume it works I'll find out tomorrow. Greytsounds still has a website. The CD I have is "Volume 1 The Best of Everything" THey have an AKAI s1000 version taht should work, mine says it's for the EIII so I'm not sure it will work, from all I've read the AKAI one should work if this one doesn't the sample sound ont the web was pretty good. Not as good as the ones on the Boulder sound page, perhaps it was the song they were playng sounded like turkey in the straw. It was supposed to be rock, and it sounded like several of the rock organs I've heard on a lot of older albums, but the song was the wrong one to showcase theim. JRG

It's Here. Just got in from work and am to tired to actually make a space for this as yet. However here's what I know so far. It has the 3.02 Upgrade, has an external SCSI CD rom. Came with 3 banks (2 disks each) Rhythm, Orchestral, Stereo Grand a CD from Greytsounds E-mu EIII xp/xs Volume 1 "The Best of Everything". SCSI cables and <gasp> even a manual. I plug it in as soon as I can get some midi cables to it and patch cords to plug it into the mixer. I might even have to get a couple of Small mixers to mix some of my other stuff so I'll have enough imputes. Wow I'm tired, wish I could mess with it, but I'm not working tomorrow ... Wooo .. Hoo.. JRG

You are of course correct, hence my delima the only thing close to a referance to it is a sound card. Which came out shortly after I had the DX50. Perhaps it was a limited production to test the card which they ware going to release as a soud card. I know I didn't dream it . It was a small silver synth with a miniture keyboard. I probably remember it better than it was as it's unattainable. JRG

Nope that's not the one, I'm faily certain of the DX part because shortly after I bought it they came out with the DX100. This would have been in the mid to late 80s. The DX50 looked almost like a toy it had the little mini keys and 49 of them at that (I think it might have been less) That's partly why this is so vexing I can't find it anywhere. Obviously I haven't contacted Yamaha as yet, that will be the next step, if no one else knows of it. Thanks for looking though. JRG

This one already exists so I'll Use this topic now that the lost has been found . Years ago I think (I know I didn't dream it) I had a Yamaha DX50 it was a little silver FM synth it's successor was the DX100 which looked nothing like it. It was battery powered but did have a wall bug and pegs for a guitar type strap. There was a breath controller for it and it had Midi. I can't find any reference to it haven't seen it on E-bay or Vintagesynth Explorer. Google only yields (perhaps I'm putting in the wrong terms) references to a sound card which Yamaha apparently used the innards of the thing to build. I stupidly traded it off for a drum machine which I latter sold. Now I'd love to have the thing back, it was neat to take on trips and stuff, you could doodle around with it when ever ideas struck. It wasn't the greatest sounding thing but it wasn't the worst either. Anyone remember it, anyone have one, or know of a working one for sale? Now all you guys who gave up your day jobs will have something else to keep you occupied JRG

Missed the pic but played Leaving Earth... Very Very Nice.. JRG

Thanks, I may have posted it somewhere else, but I've forgotten where, I really like some of the samples at http://www.boldersounds.net/ but I can't figure out if they will work with the ESI32. I wrote to their customer support but I guess they either haven't had time or don't want to bother with a noob to answer. The sampler will be here tomorrow while I'm at work. Soooo I won't get to look at it till tomorrow night. I'll know more then IE SCSI or no SCSI (From what I've read unless it's an early one it should have SCSI), what kind of CD their talking about, whether it even powers up or not . Something I know I Need/Want is a good thunderstorm sample. I want to sample my guitar for use with the Oberheim Strumer. I'm assuming I can plug it into the mixer and run the mixers outputs to the sampler play a chord and sample it. JRG