Emu XL-7 & MP-7 User's Group

>
> Have been very busy, what with home renovations, computer problems, flooding, 
> etc...
> 
> I finally have been able to finish off the PCB layout for the USB programmable 
> FLASH SIMM {top & bottom layers attached so you can see that its pretty full}. 
> It was a lot of effort because I tried to use 8mil (0.008") track and space to 
> reduce board cost but that was a dead cause, and finally I opted for 6mil track 
> and space. I toiled long and hard to fit in on a 4 layer PCB and only just made 
> it, but I had no way to place a USB connecter, other than a 4 pin header so a 
> special cable will be needed for USB connection... We'll have to see how much 
> the PCB costs (per item)
> 
> I need to check that the CPLD can still be programmed after the pin 
> re-arrangements that I made to help it fit but I don't expect that to be a big 
> problem.
> 
> I needed to make the SIMM 1.1" x 4.25" (the E-mu ones are only 1" high) to make 
> room for the JTAG headers - this should still fit in the modules fine by my 
> reckoning. The idea is that the SIMM gets turned upside down into a socket with 
> the notch removed for JTAG programming.
> 
> Fortunately I was able to procure a copy of the EOS TSM from E-mu which includes 
> schematics for all the E4 series products including the ULTRA samplers. Despite 
> assertions that some people have made to the contrary, there is no signal on the 
> Ultra to drive the PRESET line (to access the preset memory) so there is NO WAY 
> the Ultra can write to a FLASH SIMM's preset memory  [if you see dummy presets 
> on a p2k, then the p2k created them, not the Ultra]. In any case, the issue is 
> that the signal is not driven on an Ultra sampler, so I might decide to add a 
> pull down to that pin so that its not floating [which would allow the SIMM to be 
> read (but not written without a modification to EOS) on an Ultra Sampler].
> 
> So the things left to do....
> 
> 1. Create a PCB for the SIMM reader [much much easier than the SIMM itself]
>     - necessary to program the micro & CPLD + read ROM SIMMs
> 2. Compile the CPLD software for the new pin arrangement [trivial]
> 3. Create Software for the SIMM CPU
> 4. Create Software for the programmer CPU
> 
> Have other stuff to do for now butthe hardest part is done [Yay!]
>

>
> Have been very busy, what with home renovations, computer problems, flooding, 
> etc...
> 
> I finally have been able to finish off the PCB layout for the USB programmable 
> FLASH SIMM {top & bottom layers attached so you can see that its pretty full}. 
> It was a lot of effort because I tried to use 8mil (0.008") track and space to 
> reduce board cost but that was a dead cause, and finally I opted for 6mil track 
> and space. I toiled long and hard to fit in on a 4 layer PCB and only just made 
> it, but I had no way to place a USB connecter, other than a 4 pin header so a 
> special cable will be needed for USB connection... We'll have to see how much 
> the PCB costs (per item)
> 
> I need to check that the CPLD can still be programmed after the pin 
> re-arrangements that I made to help it fit but I don't expect that to be a big 
> problem.
> 
> I needed to make the SIMM 1.1" x 4.25" (the E-mu ones are only 1" high) to make 
> room for the JTAG headers - this should still fit in the modules fine by my 
> reckoning. The idea is that the SIMM gets turned upside down into a socket with 
> the notch removed for JTAG programming.
> 
> Fortunately I was able to procure a copy of the EOS TSM from E-mu which includes 
> schematics for all the E4 series products including the ULTRA samplers. Despite 
> assertions that some people have made to the contrary, there is no signal on the 
> Ultra to drive the PRESET line (to access the preset memory) so there is NO WAY 
> the Ultra can write to a FLASH SIMM's preset memory  [if you see dummy presets 
> on a p2k, then the p2k created them, not the Ultra]. In any case, the issue is 
> that the signal is not driven on an Ultra sampler, so I might decide to add a 
> pull down to that pin so that its not floating [which would allow the SIMM to be 
> read (but not written without a modification to EOS) on an Ultra Sampler].
> 
> So the things left to do....
> 
> 1. Create a PCB for the SIMM reader [much much easier than the SIMM itself]
>     - necessary to program the micro & CPLD + read ROM SIMMs
> 2. Compile the CPLD software for the new pin arrangement [trivial]
> 3. Create Software for the SIMM CPU
> 4. Create Software for the programmer CPU
> 
> Have other stuff to do for now butthe hardest part is done [Yay!]
>

>
> Have been very busy, what with home renovations, computer problems, flooding, 
> etc...
> 
> I finally have been able to finish off the PCB layout for the USB programmable 

> FLASH SIMM {top & bottom layers attached so you can see that its pretty full}. 

> It was a lot of effort because I tried to use 8mil (0.008") track and space to 

> reduce board cost but that was a dead cause, and finally I opted for 6mil track 
>
> and space. I toiled long and hard to fit in on a 4 layer PCB and only just made 
>
> it, but I had no way to place a USB connecter, other than a 4 pin header so a 
> special cable will be needed for USB connection... We'll have to see how much 
> the PCB costs (per item)
> 
> I need to check that the CPLD can still be programmed after the pin 
> re-arrangements that I made to help it fit but I don't expect that to be a big 

> problem.
> 
> I needed to make the SIMM 1.1" x 4.25" (the E-mu ones are only 1" high) to make 
>
> room for the JTAG headers - this should still fit in the modules fine by my 
> reckoning. The idea is that the SIMM gets turned upside down into a socket with 
>
> the notch removed for JTAG programming.
> 
> Fortunately I was able to procure a copy of the EOS TSM from E-mu which 
>includes 
>
> schematics for all the E4 series products including the ULTRA samplers. Despite 
>
> assertions that some people have made to the contrary, there is no signal on 
>the 
>
> Ultra to drive the PRESET line (to access the preset memory) so there is NO WAY 
>
> the Ultra can write to a FLASH SIMM's preset memory [if you see dummy presets 
> on a p2k, then the p2k created them, not the Ultra]. In any case, the issue is 

> that the signal is not driven on an Ultra sampler, so I might decide to add a 
> pull down to that pin so that its not floating [which would allow the SIMM to 
>be 
>
> read (but not written without a modification to EOS) on an Ultra Sampler].
> 
> So the things left to do....
> 
> 1. Create a PCB for the SIMM reader [much much easier than the SIMM itself]
> - necessary to program the micro & CPLD + read ROM SIMMs
> 2. Compile the CPLD software for the new pin arrangement [trivial]
> 3. Create Software for the SIMM CPU
> 4. Create Software for the programmer CPU
> 
> Have other stuff to do for now butthe hardest part is done [Yay!]
>

>
> Have been very busy, what with home renovations, computer problems, flooding, 
> etc...
> 
> I finally have been able to finish off the PCB layout for the USB programmable 

> FLASH SIMM {top & bottom layers attached so you can see that its pretty full}. 

> It was a lot of effort because I tried to use 8mil (0.008") track and space to 

> reduce board cost but that was a dead cause, and finally I opted for 6mil track 
>
> and space. I toiled long and hard to fit in on a 4 layer PCB and only just made 
>
> it, but I had no way to place a USB connecter, other than a 4 pin header so a 
> special cable will be needed for USB connection... We'll have to see how much 
> the PCB costs (per item)
> 
> I need to check that the CPLD can still be programmed after the pin 
> re-arrangements that I made to help it fit but I don't expect that to be a big 

> problem.
> 
> I needed to make the SIMM 1.1" x 4.25" (the E-mu ones are only 1" high) to make 
>
> room for the JTAG headers - this should still fit in the modules fine by my 
> reckoning. The idea is that the SIMM gets turned upside down into a socket with 
>
> the notch removed for JTAG programming.
> 
> Fortunately I was able to procure a copy of the EOS TSM from E-mu which 
>includes 
>
> schematics for all the E4 series products including the ULTRA samplers. Despite 
>
> assertions that some people have made to the contrary, there is no signal on 
>the 
>
> Ultra to drive the PRESET line (to access the preset memory) so there is NO WAY 
>
> the Ultra can write to a FLASH SIMM's preset memory [if you see dummy presets 
> on a p2k, then the p2k created them, not the Ultra]. In any case, the issue is 

> that the signal is not driven on an Ultra sampler, so I might decide to add a 
> pull down to that pin so that its not floating [which would allow the SIMM to 
>be 
>
> read (but not written without a modification to EOS) on an Ultra Sampler].
> 
> So the things left to do....
> 
> 1. Create a PCB for the SIMM reader [much much easier than the SIMM itself]
> - necessary to program the micro & CPLD + read ROM SIMMs
> 2. Compile the CPLD software for the new pin arrangement [trivial]
> 3. Create Software for the SIMM CPU
> 4. Create Software for the programmer CPU
> 
> Have other stuff to do for now butthe hardest part is done [Yay!]
>

From: Bruce Manning <brujerman@snet.net>
To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, October 14, 2010 8:16:23 AM
Subject: Re: [xl7] Re: FLASH Progress Report

Jack,

You are the man. Thanks for your efforts.

Bruce

________________________________
From...

>
> Have been very busy, what with home renovations, computer problems, flooding, 
> etc...
> 
> I finally have been able to finish off the PCB layout for the USB programmable 
> FLASH SIMM {top & bottom layers attached so you can see that its pretty full}. 
> It was a lot of effort because I tried to use 8mil (0.008") track and space to 
> reduce board cost but that was a dead cause, and finally I opted for 6mil track 
> and space. I toiled long and hard to fit in on a 4 layer PCB and only just made 
> it, but I had no way to place a USB connecter, other than a 4 pin header so a 
> special cable will be needed for USB connection... We'll have to see how much 
> the PCB costs (per item)
> 
> I need to check that the CPLD can still be programmed after the pin 
> re-arrangements that I made to help it fit but I don't expect that to be a big 
> problem.
> 
> I needed to make the SIMM 1.1" x 4.25" (the E-mu ones are only 1" high) to make 
> room for the JTAG headers - this should still fit in the modules fine by my 
> reckoning. The idea is that the SIMM gets turned upside down into a socket with 
> the notch removed for JTAG programming.
> 
> Fortunately I was able to procure a copy of the EOS TSM from E-mu which includes 
> schematics for all the E4 series products including the ULTRA samplers. Despite 
> assertions that some people have made to the contrary, there is no signal on the 
> Ultra to drive the PRESET line (to access the preset memory) so there is NO WAY 
> the Ultra can write to a FLASH SIMM's preset memory  [if you see dummy presets 
> on a p2k, then the p2k created them, not the Ultra]. In any case, the issue is 
> that the signal is not driven on an Ultra sampler, so I might decide to add a 
> pull down to that pin so that its not floating [which would allow the SIMM to be 
> read (but not written without a modification to EOS) on an Ultra Sampler].
> 
> So the things left to do....
> 
> 1. Create a PCB for the SIMM reader [much much easier than the SIMM itself]
>     - necessary to program the micro & CPLD + read ROM SIMMs
> 2. Compile the CPLD software for the new pin arrangement [trivial]
> 3. Create Software for the SIMM CPU
> 4. Create Software for the programmer CPU
> 
> Have other stuff to do for now butthe hardest part is done [Yay!]
>

From: joe.dalton16 <electric-motion@...>
To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, October 14, 2010 4:31:30 PM
Subject: [xl7] Re: FLASH Progress Report

   
Hi,

I'm quite new to the forum, new xl7 owner and i'm pretty curious about your 
thread.

What are you trying to accomplish ?

A usb flash for xl7/mp7 ?

What's the purpose of it ? loading new sound via usb ?

Best regards,

Joe

>
> Well I relented and put a mini USB-B connector on the side (towards the back of 
> the P2K module, not sure where this ends up on a command station - I'll have to 
> open up my XL7 to check). This means that you won't need a special cable to 
> connect to your computer. [I made room by relegating the debug serial port and 
> another copy of the USB signals to an edge connector, just like the JTAG ports, 
> which required that I move the second notch to the opposite side of the board - 
> diagonal from the 'normal one' - consequently the board is programmed by 
> rotating it 180 degrees rather than flipping it, and I'll have to debug it in 
> the programming connector.]
> 
> 
> For those not in the know, you can read the threads from earlier this year.
> 
> But a quick recap:
> - The SIMM has 2 x 1Gb FLASH which means that it has a total of 256MB, allowing 
> for the equivalent of 7 slot ROMs which have 32MB of Wave ROM and 4 MB of Preset 
> ROM. 
> 
> 
> - Since the P2K and Command station can only access 32/4MB per slot, the SIMM 
> can 'pretend' to be in 1, 2, 3 or 4 slots at the same time and provide wave and 
> preset information for those slots [you can select the number of slots with DIP 
> switches]. Of course it the SIMM is pretending to be in a particular slot, you 
> can't have another SIMM in that slot (or it will cause a conflict).
> 
> - The contents of the FLASH can be reprogrammed using the on-SIMM cpu which has 
> a USB interface
> 
> - The contents of the FLASH can also be programmed with a base board (which will 
> also allow any existing SIMM to be read)
> 
> - At some time I would like to write software that will allow the user to 
> imports various sound formats into an image (and edit some presets, but you 
> won't be able to hear what they sound like except perhaps on Proteus X or 
> Emulator X software). So to get the presets that you want [for your own Sounds] 
> you might need to create the wave ROM, create some presets in user banks 
> download them via sysex, then edit them into images and reprogram the SIMM. 
> Tedious, but you don't need an Ultra Sampler that way. The sofwtare should also 
> allow you to put audition sequences and 'demo songs' directly into the FLASH as 
> well
> 
> - At some time I would like to reverse engineer the OS for a P2K (and later a 
> command station) so that it can switch between banks [the CPLD supports this 
> allowing it make use of all seven banks, not just four] program the presets 
> directly, and possibly allow for some interaction with a PC via the USB 
> connection.
> 
> - The SIMM can be put in AUDITY mode allowing for two banks of 16MB on an Audity 
> 2000.
> 
> - The SIMM should act as a single ROM in an Ultra Sampler (and you can select 
> the bank using DIP switches)
> 
> - A DIP switch will allow you to select different banks, but the proteus 
> software only reads presets immediately after power up so this is only useful 
> with a power cycle.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: joe.dalton16 <electric-motion@...>
> To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thu, October 14, 2010 4:31:30 PM
> Subject: [xl7] Re: FLASH Progress Report
> 
>    
> Hi,
> 
> I'm quite new to the forum, new xl7 owner and i'm pretty curious about your 
> thread.
> 
> What are you trying to accomplish ?
> 
> A usb flash for xl7/mp7 ?
> 
> What's the purpose of it ? loading new sound via usb ?
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Joe
>

From: Jack Pratt <woodsworth1@...>
To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, October 15, 2010 1:29:11 AM
Subject: Re: [xl7] Re: FLASH Progress Report

  
Well I relented and put a mini USB-B connector on the side (towards the back of 
the P2K module, not sure where this ends up on a command station - I'll have to 
open up my XL7 to check). This means that you won't need a special cable to 
connect to your computer. [I made room by relegating the debug serial port and 
another copy of the USB signals to an edge connector, just like the JTAG ports, 
which required that I move the second notch to the opposite side of the board - 
diagonal from the 'normal one' - consequently the board is programmed by 
rotating it 180 degrees rather than flipping it, and I'll have to debug it in 
the programming connector.]


For those not in the know, you can read the threads from earlier this year.

But a quick recap:
- The SIMM has 2 x 1Gb FLASH which means that it has a total of 256MB, allowing 
for the equivalent of 7 slot ROMs which have 32MB of Wave ROM and 4 MB of Preset 
ROM. 


- Since the P2K and Command station can only access 32/4MB per slot, the SIMM 
can 'pretend' to be in 1, 2, 3 or 4 slots at the same time and provide wave and 
preset information for those slots [you can select the number of slots with DIP 
switches]. Of course it the SIMM is pretending to be in a particular slot, you 
can't have another SIMM in that slot (or it will cause a conflict).

- The contents of the FLASH can be reprogrammed using the on-SIMM cpu which has 
a USB interface

- The contents of the FLASH can also be programmed with a base board (which will 
also allow any existing SIMM to be read)

- At some time I would like to write software that will allow the user to 
imports various sound formats into an image (and edit some presets, but you 
won't be able to hear what they sound like except perhaps on Proteus X or 
Emulator X software). So to get the presets that you want [for your own Sounds] 
you might need to create the wave ROM, create some presets in user banks 
download them via sysex, then edit them into images and reprogram the SIMM. 
Tedious, but you don't need an Ultra Sampler that way. The sofwtare should also 
allow you to put audition sequences and 'demo songs' directly into the FLASH as 
well

- At some time I would like to reverse engineer the OS for a P2K (and later a 
command station) so that it can switch between banks [the CPLD supports this 
allowing it make use of all seven banks, not just four] program the presets 
directly, and possibly allow for some interaction with a PC via the USB 
connection.

- The SIMM can be put in AUDITY mode allowing for two banks of 16MB on an Audity 
2000.

- The SIMM should act as a single ROM in an Ultra Sampler (and you can select 
the bank using DIP switches)

- A DIP switch will allow you to select different banks, but the proteus 
software only reads presets immediately after power up so this is only useful 
with a power cycle.





________________________________
From: joe.dalton16 <electric-motion@...>
To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, October 14, 2010 4:31:30 PM
Subject: [xl7] Re: FLASH Progress Report

  
Hi,

I'm quite new to the forum, new xl7 owner and i'm pretty curious about your 
thread.

What are you trying to accomplish ?

A usb flash for xl7/mp7 ?

What's the purpose of it ? loading new sound via usb ?

Best regards,

Joe

From: Bruce Manning <brujerman@...>
To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, October 16, 2010 12:22:54 AM
Subject: Re: [xl7] Re: FLASH Progress Report

   
Jack,
 
Truly amazing engineering for the Proteus line, not only expanding the memory 
but the possibility of importing other formats is phenomenal.
Keep up the great work.
 
Bruce

>
> My god :)
> 
> This look sooooo great man !
> 
> Thanks a lot for the quick recap ;-)
> 
> This will open command stations to a new world of possibility.
> 
> I just bought a CS recently and i'm so exited to hear about that.
> 
> Sooooo glad i joined this forum, thanks for your work i'm sure you'll make tons of happy e-mu owner :)
> 
> (Sorry for the poor english, i live in belgium and i'm french speaking) 
>    
> 
> 
> 
> --- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, Jack Pratt <woodsworth1@> wrote:
> >
> > Well I relented and put a mini USB-B connector on the side (towards the back of 
> > the P2K module, not sure where this ends up on a command station - I'll have to 
> > open up my XL7 to check). This means that you won't need a special cable to 
> > connect to your computer. [I made room by relegating the debug serial port and 
> > another copy of the USB signals to an edge connector, just like the JTAG ports, 
> > which required that I move the second notch to the opposite side of the board - 
> > diagonal from the 'normal one' - consequently the board is programmed by 
> > rotating it 180 degrees rather than flipping it, and I'll have to debug it in 
> > the programming connector.]
> > 
> > 
> > For those not in the know, you can read the threads from earlier this year.
> > 
> > But a quick recap:
> > - The SIMM has 2 x 1Gb FLASH which means that it has a total of 256MB, allowing 
> > for the equivalent of 7 slot ROMs which have 32MB of Wave ROM and 4 MB of Preset 
> > ROM. 
> > 
> > 
> > - Since the P2K and Command station can only access 32/4MB per slot, the SIMM 
> > can 'pretend' to be in 1, 2, 3 or 4 slots at the same time and provide wave and 
> > preset information for those slots [you can select the number of slots with DIP 
> > switches]. Of course it the SIMM is pretending to be in a particular slot, you 
> > can't have another SIMM in that slot (or it will cause a conflict).
> > 
> > - The contents of the FLASH can be reprogrammed using the on-SIMM cpu which has 
> > a USB interface
> > 
> > - The contents of the FLASH can also be programmed with a base board (which will 
> > also allow any existing SIMM to be read)
> > 
> > - At some time I would like to write software that will allow the user to 
> > imports various sound formats into an image (and edit some presets, but you 
> > won't be able to hear what they sound like except perhaps on Proteus X or 
> > Emulator X software). So to get the presets that you want [for your own Sounds] 
> > you might need to create the wave ROM, create some presets in user banks 
> > download them via sysex, then edit them into images and reprogram the SIMM. 
> > Tedious, but you don't need an Ultra Sampler that way. The sofwtare should also 
> > allow you to put audition sequences and 'demo songs' directly into the FLASH as 
> > well
> > 
> > - At some time I would like to reverse engineer the OS for a P2K (and later a 
> > command station) so that it can switch between banks [the CPLD supports this 
> > allowing it make use of all seven banks, not just four] program the presets 
> > directly, and possibly allow for some interaction with a PC via the USB 
> > connection.
> > 
> > - The SIMM can be put in AUDITY mode allowing for two banks of 16MB on an Audity 
> > 2000.
> > 
> > - The SIMM should act as a single ROM in an Ultra Sampler (and you can select 
> > the bank using DIP switches)
> > 
> > - A DIP switch will allow you to select different banks, but the proteus 
> > software only reads presets immediately after power up so this is only useful 
> > with a power cycle.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ________________________________
> > From: joe.dalton16 <electric-motion@>
> > To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Thu, October 14, 2010 4:31:30 PM
> > Subject: [xl7] Re: FLASH Progress Report
> > 
> >    
> > Hi,
> > 
> > I'm quite new to the forum, new xl7 owner and i'm pretty curious about your 
> > thread.
> > 
> > What are you trying to accomplish ?
> > 
> > A usb flash for xl7/mp7 ?
> > 
> > What's the purpose of it ? loading new sound via usb ?
> > 
> > Best regards,
> > 
> > Joe
> >
>