The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Long -- Soap Box -- Reply -- Sorry!


> emm sorry to ask but ... 
> 
> if it fixes a lot of things 
> how come it is impossible to have a list of them ? 
> 
> _IF_ it is legal i don't mind making copies of the ROM but i have 
only 1.03
> cant we organize here a common update ?  

As far as the fix list goes, I am unaware of any fix lists published 
by Yamaha on any of their gear.  I have no less than two of every, 
what I consider "Good/Classic" Synths, Effects Processor, Rack Mixer, 
etc, etc, Yamaha Made since the Early/Mid 80's.  Two Studios full. 
Most have at least a 4th Generation ROM update in them if I recall.  
Most I have no idea what they fixed.  Talking to Yamaha, they 
frequently can't tell you either.  It is more evolution.  Quirks that 
were reported in the field that most never new about or noticed and 
were fixed in production or shortly there after.  For instance the 
DX7II is at V1.09.  As far as I know, I am one of the few that have 
that Rev.  Can't tell you exactly what it does.

My guess is many of the fixes are things found out about 
interoperability with other gear after the fact -- not everything can 
be tested.  MIDI issues, Timing, Sequencers, Disk Drives, etc, etc.  
As an example, you have to realize, that when the DX7 was released, 
the MIDI spec. wasn't even complete.  It got fixed in later ROM's.  
The EX5/7 had a lot of issues.  SCSI, Disk and timing issues, but 
lot's more I guess.  That's at 1.11 for the OS and 1.14 for the 
Waves.  The A3K at V2.0 ROM, and the A4/5K at 1.50 Software.  The 
AK's can be re-flashed by floppy disk -- nice.

In general, once you get enough gear out there, somebody will find 
something that doesn't work correctly, and hopefully it get's fixed, 
but not all users do the same thing or appear to have the same 
problem.  It depends on what they are doing. We should all feel lucky 
that Yamaha Actually does fix and support these things.  Where else 
can you get a ROM upgrade for a 20+ year old synth.

On copying and distributing ROM code, etc.  I don't want to do it 
unless Yamaha gives the OK.  My assumption is, they would allow it -- 
if you don't sell it.  You can freely down load the software flash 
updates for A4/5k, Motif, etc, so the Code is not necessarily the 
issue.  Their charge for ROM's -- if not free -- has to be close to 
their cost.

It is a serious pain to handle the calls, inventory, burn, ship, etc, 
etc. on something that they will never make another nickle on.  Other 
vendors pretty much tell you to buy a new synth or what ever.  One 
other thing.  I do burn my own ROM's, but once you go out and start 
looking for the chips, they tend to be NA or pretty expensive.  The 
last batch I got, and the one's I think may work on the AN I bought 
used from Singapore and cost about $6.00 USD ea.  New from a vendor 
or a chip broker $20.00 - $50.00+ USD -- if they even have one in 
stock.  In the past, I sent clean chips to Yamaha and they burned 
them for me free of charge.

Somebody, or I will one of these days -- I've been meaning to do it --
 is contact Yamaha -- I know the person who may help -- and ask for a 
list of all the ROM Versions -- at least for my gear -- and see if I 
could roll my own and "Free"ly redistribute them -- cost plus postage 
of course.

BTW:  If someone has the AN Service Manual, maybe you could let us 
know what the ROM is.  Like a M27C800 or a 8Mbit, or a 1Mbx8 or a 
512kbx16 or some such thing...............  Either the parts list or 
the block diagram would tell you.  The new chip from Yamaha is a OTP 
imprinted with Yamaha stuff.

Hum!  Just for kicks -- I had an AN1x on the bench here with just a 
couple of screws in the pan.  I pull the ROM and was successfull at 
burning a copy on to a M27C800-100F1.  I plugged it in and it passed 
the Diags. so I guess that is the chip.  Hard to find one too.  
Discontinued in 2000 if I recall, but used in a lot of Yamaha gear up 
through the EX and A3K anyway.

Well, that's my 2cents worth if it has any value.


Best regards;

Peter