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

Hello,

I've had an XL-7 for a couple years with the standard SIMM ("XL7"), and I just bought a PX-7 with standard SIMM ("DRUM") plus the Vintage/Classic Keys SIMM ("VROM"). Both run OS 2.00 as far as I can tell.  Both standard SIMMs are fine, however, here are my two dilemas:

1) When the "VROM" SIMM is in the PX-7 box, it makes this harsh cycling effect (it's either like a filter sweep or distortion every few seconds).  I was thinking the previous owner hit some setting by accident but I've checked everywhere.  I'm also thinking it may have to do with the subtle software difference in the PX-7 since it's the "drum edition".  The VROM sounds great in the XL-7 box, which leads to the other issue.

2) No matter what configuration I try, if I try to use mix and match other SIMMs with the standard XL7 SIMM, the "XL7" SIMM doesn't show up when I boot. Like if I try to load XL7 and VROM in either box, I only get VROM.

Any advice on either issue would be a serious help.  Thanks in advance!

When you boot the box, it should say something like Ver. 2.00 for OS 2.0 during the booting process. You shouldn't have to guess.

Some diagnostic questions (issue 1):
1. Is it the same sound that's triggering no matter what preset is being used?
2. Is the sound triggering from the sub outs as well as the main outs?
3. Does increasing the tempo increase the frequency of the extraneous sound?

As for issue 2, it is odd that the XL-7 ROM would not show up. What are the ROM IDs of all the ROMS. (Quick way to find ROM ID: hit audition; MSB is ROM ID.)

Maybe others have run into these problems and can make specific suggestions.

Steve

--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "CaseyG" <tricmagazine@...> wrote:
>
> Hello,
> 
> I've had an XL-7 for a couple years with the standard SIMM ("XL7"), and I just bought a PX-7 with standard SIMM ("DRUM") plus the Vintage/Classic Keys SIMM ("VROM"). Both run OS 2.00 as far as I can tell.  Both standard SIMMs are fine, however, here are my two dilemas:
> 
> 1) When the "VROM" SIMM is in the PX-7 box, it makes this harsh cycling effect (it's either like a filter sweep or distortion every few seconds).  I was thinking the previous owner hit some setting by accident but I've checked everywhere.  I'm also thinking it may have to do with the subtle software difference in the PX-7 since it's the "drum edition".  The VROM sounds great in the XL-7 box, which leads to the other issue.
> 
> 2) No matter what configuration I try, if I try to use mix and match other SIMMs with the standard XL7 SIMM, the "XL7" SIMM doesn't show up when I boot. Like if I try to load XL7 and VROM in either box, I only get VROM.
> 
> Any advice on either issue would be a serious help.  Thanks in advance!
>

Just some ideas. You could have a knob or pad misfiring depending on how many miles the px-7 has on it and how "gently" it was used by it's previous owner(s). A problem I have encountered before. Also if you are using an external controller keyboard, etc, this may be sending controller messages you you may not be aware of. Another cause of a similar problem I experienced.  When you solve it please let us know. Thanks and good luck!

--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "CaseyG" <tricmagazine@...> wrote:
>
> Hello,
> 
> I've had an XL-7 for a couple years with the standard SIMM ("XL7"), and I just bought a PX-7 with standard SIMM ("DRUM") plus the Vintage/Classic Keys SIMM ("VROM"). Both run OS 2.00 as far as I can tell.  Both standard SIMMs are fine, however, here are my two dilemas:
> 
> 1) When the "VROM" SIMM is in the PX-7 box, it makes this harsh cycling effect (it's either like a filter sweep or distortion every few seconds).  I was thinking the previous owner hit some setting by accident but I've checked everywhere.  I'm also thinking it may have to do with the subtle software difference in the PX-7 since it's the "drum edition".  The VROM sounds great in the XL-7 box, which leads to the other issue.
> 
> 2) No matter what configuration I try, if I try to use mix and match other SIMMs with the standard XL7 SIMM, the "XL7" SIMM doesn't show up when I boot. Like if I try to load XL7 and VROM in either box, I only get VROM.
> 
> Any advice on either issue would be a serious help.  Thanks in advance!
>

I still don't have this fixed, but here are some responses.  This is strange.  Ahh, hardware!

A) When you boot the box, it should say something like Ver. 2.00 for OS 2.0 during the booting process. You shouldn't have to guess:

Yes, both boxes say "Ver 2.00 1.0 x (2003)"

B) Some diagnostic questions (issue 1):
> B1. Is it the same sound that's triggering no matter what preset is being used? No.
> B2. Is the sound triggering from the sub outs as well as the main outs? No.
> B3. Does increasing the tempo increase the frequency of the extraneous sound? I can't verify it, but yes it seems so.

C) As for issue 2, it is odd that the XL-7 ROM would not show up. What are the ROM IDs of all the ROMS. (Quick way to find ROM ID: hit audition; MSB is ROM ID.)

XL7 ROM: MSB 14
PX7 ROM: MSB 19
Vint ROM: MSB 18

Also, I noticed the XL7 ROM says "32 mb plus 2 mb flash".  I've heard people having issues with the flash cards, something about dual IDs or something.  I thought this may be an OS issue, but it seems I have the latest OS?

D) Maybe others have run into these problems and can make specific suggestions:

The other response mentioned misfiring.  If it were a note/knob/controller issue, I think it it would happen on all the other ROMs. It's specifically happens only with the Vintage ROM in the PX-7 Box.

Help please!
Casey

> Steve
> 
> --- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "CaseyG" <tricmagazine@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> > 
> > I've had an XL-7 for a couple years with the standard SIMM ("XL7"), and I just bought a PX-7 with standard SIMM ("DRUM") plus the Vintage/Classic Keys SIMM ("VROM"). Both run OS 2.00 as far as I can tell.  Both standard SIMMs are fine, however, here are my two dilemas:
> > 
> > 1) When the "VROM" SIMM is in the PX-7 box, it makes this harsh cycling effect (it's either like a filter sweep or distortion every few seconds).  I was thinking the previous owner hit some setting by accident but I've checked everywhere.  I'm also thinking it may have to do with the subtle software difference in the PX-7 since it's the "drum edition".  The VROM sounds great in the XL-7 box, which leads to the other issue.
> > 
> > 2) No matter what configuration I try, if I try to use mix and match other SIMMs with the standard XL7 SIMM, the "XL7" SIMM doesn't show up when I boot. Like if I try to load XL7 and VROM in either box, I only get VROM.
> > 
> > Any advice on either issue would be a serious help.  Thanks in advance!
> >
>

OK the card you have for the xl7 is, a "Ram Card "that was made in the ultra series.(I Think) They have a Different ID code.
Check out the sound author manual. They talk about the big flash an little flash ROM.
 
I have allot of e mu gear and If you ask me, They work better by themselves.



Check me out!


________________________________
From: CaseyG <tricmagazine@...>
To: xl7@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Saturday, May 5, 2012 10:34 AM
Subject: [xl7] Re: SIMM Issues in XL-7 and PX-7


  
I still don't have this fixed, but here are some responses. This is strange. Ahh, hardware!

A) When you boot the box, it should say something like Ver. 2.00 for OS 2.0 during the booting process. You shouldn't have to guess:

Yes, both boxes say "Ver 2.00 1.0 x (2003)"

B) Some diagnostic questions (issue 1):
> B1. Is it the same sound that's triggering no matter what preset is being used? No.
> B2. Is the sound triggering from the sub outs as well as the main outs? No.
> B3. Does increasing the tempo increase the frequency of the extraneous sound? I can't verify it, but yes it seems so.

C) As for issue 2, it is odd that the XL-7 ROM would not show up. What are the ROM IDs of all the ROMS. (Quick way to find ROM ID: hit audition; MSB is ROM ID.)

XL7 ROM: MSB 14
PX7 ROM: MSB 19
Vint ROM: MSB 18

Also, I noticed the XL7 ROM says "32 mb plus 2 mb flash". I've heard people having issues with the flash cards, something about dual IDs or something. I thought this may be an OS issue, but it seems I have the latest OS?

D) Maybe others have run into these problems and can make specific suggestions:

The other response mentioned misfiring. If it were a note/knob/controller issue, I think it it would happen on all the other ROMs. It's specifically happens only with the Vintage ROM in the PX-7 Box.

Help please!
Casey

> Steve
> 
> --- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "CaseyG" <tricmagazine@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> > 
> > I've had an XL-7 for a couple years with the standard SIMM ("XL7"), and I just bought a PX-7 with standard SIMM ("DRUM") plus the Vintage/Classic Keys SIMM ("VROM"). Both run OS 2.00 as far as I can tell. Both standard SIMMs are fine, however, here are my two dilemas:
> > 
> > 1) When the "VROM" SIMM is in the PX-7 box, it makes this harsh cycling effect (it's either like a filter sweep or distortion every few seconds). I was thinking the previous owner hit some setting by accident but I've checked everywhere. I'm also thinking it may have to do with the subtle software difference in the PX-7 since it's the "drum edition". The VROM sounds great in the XL-7 box, which leads to the other issue.
> > 
> > 2) No matter what configuration I try, if I try to use mix and match other SIMMs with the standard XL7 SIMM, the "XL7" SIMM doesn't show up when I boot. Like if I try to load XL7 and VROM in either box, I only get VROM.
> > 
> > Any advice on either issue would be a serious help. Thanks in advance!
> >
>

I was wondering myself if one could have been a flash rom; however, I was under the impression that those could only have ID numbers between something like 106-119 and that factory Sound ROMs could not be copied in an Ultra series E-Mu sampler.

As posted here previously, the rewritable Flash ROMS have all 5 of the big chips need to say Intel Flash on them. 

When I saw the ROM IDs (14, 19, 18), I concluded they were official E-Mu sound ROMS.

As for the 2 basic problems with the ROMS in the different boxes, I am still mystified, and I can't think of any more diagnostic questions.

Perhaps with crisp, clear, legible front and back jpgs of all the ROMS someone might see something as a non-standard ROM, but I think that's a long shot.

Another long shot would be to do a diagnostics check--boot holding down both cursor buttons. Just be careful not to erase anything (patterns or presets that are not backed up). I am guessing that the Sound Rom Test would pass for each rom, but it would only take a few minutes to check (if you haven't done so already). 

I suppose the Sound Data CRC Test might be helpful if someone had a list of what the correct numbers that are supposed to be there. Maybe we can compile a list here. I'll start:

bda94458 - P/123 - Protozoa [4 banks]
a0ff6671 - XLEAD - XL-1 1.4 [4 banks]
5b996906 - CMPSR - P2k Composer [8 banks]
bbfb0ddc - XROM - [5 banks]
94d8975b - P2500 - Composer [4 banks]
53e306s1 - AOrch - Advanced Orchestra [2 banks]

(Wouldn't it be cool if different versions of the same ROM had different CRC numbers?)

I had a problem with the FX chip in a P2500 causing noise in the main and headphone outputs, but not in the sub outs which are not routed through the FX chip. But I am not sure that is one of the problems here (the extraneous noise problem). 

In my case it was suggested that something may have happened over time to the soldering for the FX chip.

Steve