From: <
jondl_2000@...>
> Keep in mind that it took Yamaha a couple of product generations to
> correct the abnormally slow response time of the SCSI interface used
> on the A3000, EX5/7, A4000/A5000, SU700, and I don't what else. It's
> only been addressed on the relatively recent RS7000 and MOTIF series -
> a four year lag time :-( Now that I review it - that sentence is
> somewhat misleading because, AFAIK, Yamaha offers no retrofit for the
> older products. The new SCSI interface is available only on the
> current product line :-/
I don't know the story about the other Yamaha products, but the story on the
EX series SCSI interface is that it was thrown in more or less as an
afterthought.
The EX5 has two CPU's and two DSP's. One CPU controls the DSP's, the other
one controls the ports. There's a pipe between the two CPU's. The memory is
connected to the DSP's only.
Consequently, data from the SCSI bus has to travel to the first CPU, then to
the second CPU, then to the DSP's and from there to the memory. This is not
the most elegant and efficient design imaginable, but that's the way it is.
Keep in mind that developing a product like the EX5 takes six or seven
years. Things don't move as fast as in the computer business.
On the whole, I find Yamaha employees very friendly and co-operative. I was
truly surprised by the assistance I was offered in my recent exchange with a
Japanese representative.
- Peter