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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD DEMO

Demo Package Includes:

1- WAV folder containing eleven WAV files

2- VS_PAD.KSC file and folder containing all the .KMP files set up as a “Multi Sample” program. This must be loaded every time you start up since the M3 does not retain sample data in it’s memory when shutting down.

3- VS_PAD.PCG file contains two programs set up to load into your USER-G Bank. 

Program 000 - Prophet VS Pre Edit Data - what the samples sound like before any editing is done.

Program 001 - Prophet VS Pad Complete - the finished program.

This demonstration can be used in two ways. You can either just load in the .KSC and .PCG files and get a taste of how we added new Prophet VS multi samples to our Proto Rock M3 Collection. Or, you can follow the steps below and create your own program from the eleven wav files that we have included. This tutorial will give you a much better idea on how to create new programs using your own samples. It is not meant to be used exactly the same in every occasion since there are many different ways to import and set up sample programs, It’s more to be used as a guideline on how to key map samples across the keyboard and get you started with using sample data on the m3.

Each WAV file has been sampled from our vintage Prophet VS synthesizer and includes an assortment of C’s and G’s. The files must be “Key Mapped” into the M3 in order for you to be able to use them in a program or combi. In case your not familiar with how all that works, we’ve created a step by step on how that’s done. 

Also included is a .KSC file which has the samples already set up as a program and shows an example of what your finished program should look/sound like. Also note the effects, KARMA  scenes and real time controls that were added to the program to put the finishing touches on everything.

HOW TO CREATE A PROGRAM FROM SAMPLE DATA WAV FILES

1- Save the “VS Demo” folder to your USB hard drive or memory stick. Connect your drive/stick to your M3 USB port.

2- Choose the Media button and find the “WAV” folder and choose it and choose “open”. Choose the top file “P00_C2.WAV” and choose “load” then choose “OK”. The data should load. Repeat step 2 with the other ten files until all eleven wav files are loaded.

3- Choose the Sampling button and highlight at the very top of the page where it says “000: NewMS” and choose the next available Multisample slot. (NOTE: I’ve chosen slot 002 because there are already two other samples in slots 000 and 001. I think that Korg wrote that into the OS) The “create new multisample” box will pop up. Highlight the stereo button and choose OK.

Highlight the “Sample” function. Choose the top sample “P00_C2.WAV”. That sample should appear in the M3 sample function display. 

4- Just under the sample you will see the OrigKey and TopKey parameters. Leave them both at  C2 and choose “create”. At that point that one sample should now be “mapped” on C2 (the bottom note on a 61 note M3. If you have an extended keyboard with 73 or 88 keys then the sample should also be any note under C2. Play C2 on your keyboard and the you should hear the sample. 

If you can hear the sample when you play C2 then move on. If not then recheck your steps. You probably overlooked something. 

5- Choose the sample arrow option again and now choose the P00_G2.WAV sample this time. Set OrigKey to G2 and TopKey to A#2. This will map out the second sample between C#2 and A#2 and fill out most of the next octave. Play any of the keys in that range to test.

If you have gotten this far and everything is OK then you probably have a good idea how to finish key mapping the rest. Basically you now have to repeat step five several times where you set the range of the sample with the OrigKey and TopKey functions. The OrigKey is always the same as the original sample name (C3, G3 and so on) and you always “stretch” the TopKey usually three or four notes above the original. Usually a E or A# in this example. Remember that the goal is to fill in all the notes on the keyboard.

Also remember to create your multi samples in the following order:

1- C2 - index slot 1      2- G2 - index slot 2      3- C3 - index slot 3      4- G3 - index slot 4      5- C4 - index slot 5      6- G4 - index slot 6   7- C5 - index slot 7     8- G5 - index slot 8      9- C6 - index slot 9     10- G6 - index slot 10      11- C7 -index slot 11

6- Play the keyboard to see if all the notes are filled in and that everything is correctly tuned. 

Your getting there, but you may be thinking that this VS Pad thing sure does not sound like much. Yeah, that’s exactly right! To get the sound just right we have to turn this into a M3 program.

7- Choose the top right arrow to get to all the sampling options and choose “Convert MS to Program”. Select the program slot where you would like to store the program and choose OK.

8- Select program mode and find your program. Now you can start editing it the same way that you edit any factory program. 

The first couple of things I would do is name the program and then save everything. Then you can get on to creating that cool pad sound. You now have to create two separate files;

A- A PCG file which will save your program

B- A KSC file which saves the multi sample data. 

You don’t actually “have” to create a PCG file right now since this program will stay in your M3 memory until you load over it with something else, but it’s always a good idea to back up your data.  However, you do have to save your sample data as a .KSC file since the m3 does not hold the data in it’s internal memory and must be loaded in each time you boot up the machine.

To create and save a .KSC file:

Choose Media - Select Save

Select “Save Sampling Data”

Name your file. We named ours VS_PAD

Choose OK

All your samples should now save to your USB drive or memory stick and you should now have a file on your drive called: VS_PAD.KSC along with all the samples saved as Korg .KMP files.

Now you don’t have to go through all of that the next time you boot up the machine! Just load the file and your ready to start editing the program.

To create and save a .PCG file:

Choose Media - Select Save - Select “Save PCG”. 

In this case your only saving one program bank so uncheck all the program banks except the one bank where your Prophet VS Pad is living. We have chosen the User G bank and have unchecked everything in the program section except the USER G bank. Your not saving any combi data so you can uncheck all of the combi boxes. In the “drum kit” section you can just check the INT-A box and leave all the USER boxes unchecked. Leave the global, radias and drum track user patter checked. Choose OK.

OK great. You have now backed up all your data and won’t have to start all over again if the power goes off at your house! 

At this point the editing and creation of the final program begins. There is much that needs to be done to create a finished program and since programming is an art, the results will vary from person to person. However, here are a couple of tips to get you going. First notice that your program does not quite sound right. As soon as you lift your hand from the keys, the sound cuts off. Not a very natural sounding patch is it? What you need to do is adjust the “amp envelope” settings.

Go to; AMP/EQ and Choose AMP1 EG. This is where you adjust the settings. Below are two pictures. Example A: shows the envelope settings for a pre-edited program and should have the same settings as the program that you have created. Example B: shows what the correct envelope settings should be. Make the adjustments, play the keyboard and now when you release the key, there is a much more natural decay of the notes played. Your program is now staring to take shape.

Example A:

Example B:

There are many more steps involved in finishing up your new program. Adding effects, real time controls, drum track and KARMA settings just to name a few. For those who are interested we have included a finished Prophet VS Pad program which includes all of the above and more. Just load in the VS_PAD.PCG file into your User G bank and you will see/hear what a complete program should look/sound like. There are two programs included in the file.  

Program 000 - Prophet VS Pre Edit Data - what the samples sound like before any editing is done.

Program 001 - Prophet VS Pad Complete - the finished program.

For those interested in learning how to program, look take a good look at the finished program (P001) and you can see how the effects, real time controls and KARMA settings look compared to the “bare bones” (P000) program. That should give you some ideas on how everything works.

Well that’s a mouth full! I hope this gives you a much greater understanding of how to work with new multi samples. Setting up one from scratch can be a bit confusing at times when your first starting out, but like anything else if you keep doing it your bound to get better. If you have any questions or comments please contact us at: support@kidnepro.com and we will be happy to assist.

Happy sampling and good luck!

More Korg M3 Info:

How to convert wav files to drum patterns

How to move sound banks

Downloadable WAV Files for M3

Main M3 Sound Section

To SAVE a complete set of 64 patches and 8 patch preset pairs:

A- Press the JP-8 dump button. The JP-8 will send a pilot tone to your tape recorder, indicated by a double dash (— —) in the patch number display window. If possible, adjust your tape recorder so that the pilot tone registers near 0dB.

B- Begin recording with your tape recorder, beginning with a clear portion of the pilot tone. The JP-8 will soon produce a modulated tone and indicate which patch numbers are being dumped at any given moment by displaying those numbers in the lower portion of the display window.

C- When the Jupiter-8 has dumped it’s entire memory (ending with the number 88) the pilot tone will appear again then drop to silence and the display window will become blank to indicate the end of the dump sequence. Record enough of the silence to separate different JP-8 program memories to the same tape.

The Jupiter-8 includes the ability to assign a file number to each set of programs dumped, to make later identification easier. Merely select one of the 64 available patch numbers and place it in the upper section of the patch number display window before the dump procedure is begun. This number will be memorized along with the rest of the JP-8 memories and will be displayed in that position whenever the tape memory is played back into the Jupiter-8.

The Jupiter-8 includes a verify function to allow you to check the accuracy of your tape recorded memories before you change any patches in the Jupiter-8, providing extra securing against accidental loss of your precious programs.

To VERIFY a complete set of 64 patches and 8 patch preset pairs:

A- Play back the recorded set of JP-8 programs at a relatively high level, adjusting the tape recorder output until you obtain the brightest and most continuous signal from the JP-8’s data check LED. Once you have made your adjustments, begin tape playback with the pilot tone and press the JP-8 verify switch.

B- If your recorded memory is accurate and is being played back clearly and at the correct level, the JP-8 will now proceed to display all 64 patch numbers in sequence as it did in dump mode. If the entire sequence is completed, the tape memory is accurate and secure.

C- If there is an error in your recorded memory or it’s playback, patch number of upper section of the display window will begin to flash intermittently. Return to the beginning of the verify procedure, check your tape recorders levels and connections, and try again. If an error is indicated again, repeat the dump procedure again. Continue until your tape passes the verify test.

To LOAD a complete set of 64 patches and 8 patch preset pairs:

A- Adjust the tape output level according to the JP-8 data check indicator. Once this adjustment has been made, begin tape playback with the pilot tone and press the JP-8 load switch.

B- The JP-8 will indicate the file number of the program being loaded in the upper portion of the display window, and the patch numbers being loaded at any given moment in the lower portion of the display window. When the entire sequence has ended and the display window becomes blank, the load procedure is complete and the Jupiter-8 may be played normally using the new set of programs.

Hit Dump (verify, load) key to quit dump operation.

If errors have been detected, the display window keeps the flashing patch number until you hit any key.

The Jupiter-8 tape memory section includes some special features which make the tape memory more useful. Any bank of patches (such as the teens, twenty’s, etc) may be dumped, verified and loaded by itself or in combination with any other banks. This allows specific parts of any Jupiter-8 program to be stored or recalled without effecting the rest of the programs. This procedure is exactly the same as dumping, loading and verifying with one simple addition. Immediately after pressing the dump, load or verify switch, press the patch number switches for the bank or banks you wish to include. This will limit the process to the banks you have chosen.

If you wish to load specific parts of entire programs you have dumped into tape, it is even possible to drop into that program and load that information into any new banks you wish. To accomplish this, begin the verify procedure. The instant before you reach the specific patch number you wish to begin loading, press the load button and then the bank of sounds you wish to load. The Jupiter-8 begins loading at that point.

The patch preset memories are dealt with as a group and are the first items loaded, dumped of verified in any of these procedures. Remember that these memories are pairs of numbers referring to patches within the 64 patch memories, not a separate set of patches.

When you are completely finished with the tape memory section of the Jupiter-8, always return to the memory protect switch on the back panel to the “ON” position so that the LED indicator on the front panel is lit.

Need new sounds for your Jupiter? We have a cool collection of sounds for your Vintage Jupiter-8. 64 new patches on data cassette or WAV file download. That will get your Jupiter back on it’s feet again or give you some new sounds to work with. More info can be found At The Jupiter-8 Section Of Our Web Site

The Korg M1 is one of, if not the best selling synthesizers of all time so there are a lot of M1 owners out there still looking for new sounds. You can find more info on all our Korg M1 sounds and Patches over here. We have a great collection which will get your M1 back on it’s feet again, but there are a few important things you should know.

NOTE: These settings will also work with the Korg M1R Rack Module as well as the Korg T-Series (T1, T2, T3 and T3-EX).

The ROM, RAM and PCM cards that fit into the M1 card slots have not been made in many years and are hard to find. Even if you do happen to find one, there is a good chance that the internal battery on the card is dead. That makes the card useless in most cases. You can change the battery on “some” cards, but even if you do any sounds that were on the card are gone. The cards are also expensive and do not hold much memory (usually only one bank of sounds can fit on a typical RAM card).

As described in our “Sysex Made Simple article”, there are better ways to do things. A simple midi interface will connect to your computers USB port and enable you to load and save sounds to your computers hard drive. Each synthesizer is set up differently, so refer to your owners manuel on how to transmit a “Bulk Dump” or “Sysex Dump” from your computer to your synth. Here are the settings that will let you do this on the M1:

To load in new sounds:

Set your M1 as follows in the global section:
Midi channel to 1
Memory protects to OFF
Midi filtering excl: ENA; 100/100 mode

To save sounds to your computer:

Set your software to receive the bulk dump
Set your M1 as follows in the global section:
Midi channel to 1
Midi filtering excl: ENA; 100/100 mode
Go to “Midi Data Dump Page”
You can set to dump Programs, Combis, Global, Sequence Data or All. Set to “All” unless you just want to save part of your internal data.
press “DUMP”

If the file does not transfer then check your cables and software settings and repeat.

If you need a program to load the sounds in, we provide “Midiox” for PC’s or “OSX Sysex” for Mac’s which are easy to use applications that will load in sounds to just about any synth with midi.

Here are a few other tips in working with sysex transfers;

Before you do anything, make sure your Midi cables are correctly connected. “Midi Out” of your Computer interface to “Midi In” of your synth & “Midi Out” of your synth to “Midi In” of your computer interface. Then copy the file to your hard drive or back up everything on a CD, floppy of whatever your using.

Make sure you “Save” your internal sounds to disk before loading in our sounds. Our sounds will replace your internal presets, so it’s best to save them to disk so you can reload them in later if you wish. Many synth have a “re-initilize memory” setting which you can use to restore the original factory settings. Note that there is no re-initilize setting on the M1, M1R or T- Series.

The sounds that we sell for the M1 are in .syx format (system exclusive) We recommend using Midiox or OSX Sysex to transfer the sounds. Although there are many other programs available that will transfer sysex files. We also provide the sounds in a standard midi file format (.mid). You can use your sequencer program (Logic, Cubase, Digital Performer etc) to load in the data. To load via your sequencer just import the file into a track. Then play the track and the data will load into your synth. The midi files will also work with windows media player. Just import them into windows media player and play.

Need a midi interface or maybe your looking for a used M1? No problem. Check out the hardware section of our web site. We usually have several midi interfaces in stock and do usually have several Korg Keyboards including the good old M1.

Loading Instructions:

Tape recorder or computer interface connections; Connect cable from your tape recorders or computer audio interface “output” to the rear “input” on the Juno-60 (LOAD).

1- Set the tape or software program so it will be played back from the very beginning of the data (where you hear a pilot tone).
2- Set The Memory Protect switch on the rear panel of the Juno-60 to OFF.
3- Set the tape recorder/software to PLAY, then press the LOAD button (8) on the Juno-60. The LOAD indicator will light up and the program number display window becomes blank, showing that the data has started. Be sure to press the LOAD button before the modulation tone is heard.

If the load button goes out and the program number display window shows double dashes (–), the loading is complete.

If error message occurs adjust output level on your tape machine. If the output level is too high or too low you will get an error message. Experiment to find the proper level for your equipment. Also make sure to press the load button at the right moment.

Saving Instructions:

Tape recorder or computer interface connections; Connect cable from your Juno-60 “save output” to the “Line input or Mic Input” on the Tape recorder or computer audio interface.

1- Set your tape recorder or software to record mode.
2- Press the SAVE button (#6) of the Juno 60. The save indicator will light up and the program number shown in the display window will go out. Also. the pilot tone will be sent from the SAVE jack.
3- If you tape recorder features the recording volume adjust knob, adjust it so that the pilot tone registers near 0 db. In 4 or 5 seconds the Juno-60 produces a modulated tone, i.e.saving into the tape recorder/software begins. (be sure to complete adjusting the recording level before the modulated tone is heard.

BTW: In case your not already aware of it, we have a cool collection of sounds for your old Juno-60. 112 Patches are available on data cassette or WAV file download. That will get your old Juno back on it’s feet again. More info can be found At The Roland Section Of Our Web Site

Many of you have just picked up an old synthesizer and it did not come with an owners manuel. Since there seems to be little info available online, we have been getting many requests for more info on how to load and save sounds into vintage synthesizers via the data cassette port. We’ve started things off with how to load & save sounds into the Roland Jupiter-6.

Tape recorder or computer interface connections; Connect cable from your tape recorders or computer audio interface “output” to the rear “input” on the Jupiter-6 (LOAD).

To load in new sounds:

1- Turn off the “memory protect” switch in the rear of the Jupiter-6.

2- Adjust the output level on your cassette player/software. The best loading levels are at “0″ DB. Once the adjustment has been made, begin the tape/wav playback with the pilot tone and press the Jupiter-6 “load” switch.

3- The data will begin to load into your Jupiter-6. Each Bank light should flash one at a time as the data is loading in. If one or more begins to blink then an error has occured. In this case adjust your output levels and try again.

Jupiter-6 If none of the banks blink then all has loading in OK.

Tape recorder or computer interface connections; Connect cable from your Jupiter-6 “save output” to the “Line input or Mic Input” on the Tape recorder or computer audio interface.

To save your old sounds:

1- Press the Jupiter Dump or Save button. The Jupiter will send a pilot tone to your tape recorder/software. Adjust your recording levels on your tape recorder so that the tone reads at about “0 db”.

2- Begin recording with your tape recorder/software, beginning with a clear portion of the pilot tone. The Jupiter will soon produce a modulated tone and begin to save the banks one at a time.

3- When the Jupiter has dumped it’s entire memory, the pilot tone will appear again. Record a few seconds of the pilot tone.

We have found that the best tape recorders to use for this kind of data transfer are those small portable ones that you can get at radio shack for about $50. The ones that are usually used for recording voice lectures and that kind of stuff. The key feature is that the tape recorder must have an “adjustable output” so you can control how much signal the synthesizer will receive. That’s critical when transferring data this ancient way. Most of the old analog synths from the 80’s that use the cassette interface need to have everything just right or else you will get the dreaded “error” message.

Of course, if your using a computer to transfer the WAV file, that will make your life a bit easier. However, you still have to make sure that your output level is right to avoid getting errors. Simply adjust the output level of the wav file to suit your equipment.

Another important thing you should know is that cool old analog synthesizer that you just got may not make any sound at all! There is a good chance that your synths “internal battery” has died and you need to replace it before loading in any new sounds. For more info CLICK HERE

BTW: In case your not already aware of it, we have a cool collection of sounds for your old Juno-60. 112 Patches are available on data cassette or WAV file download. That will get your old Juno back on it’s feet again. More info can be found At The Roland Section Of Our Web Site

It may be a bit confusing at one of our vintage synths web pages (like the Oberheim OB8 page) where it say’s that our OB8 sounds are available in AIFF and WAV file format. Let me explain what’s up with that.

In this case the AIFF and WAV format does not mean that the sounds are in “aiff and wav digital sample format”. You can not load these sounds into your software sampler so if you don’t actually own a Oberheim OB then don’t buy these sounds! If you want OB8 sounds for your software sampler then GO HERE.

In this case the AIFF and WAV format means that instead of purchasing the old data cassette tape which gets loaded though the OB8’s cassette port, you can purchase the sounds in AIFF or WAV file format. We have saved the cassette data as a AIFF and WAV file so that it can be downloaded and you don’t have to wait for the cassette tape to be delivered in the mail. That’s one of the cool things about the internet. You couldn’t do that back in the 80’s!

Once you download, just connect your computer audio output to your synths cassette interface input and you can load in the sounds the same way you would from a cassette tape. The files will open in any program that plays AIFF or WAV files.

This is true for any of the 80’s vintage synths that we sell patches for that load in sounds via the old style cassette interface. This includes instruments like the Roland Juno 106, Juno 60, Jupiter-6 Jupiter-8, Korg Poly 800, DW6000 and DW8000 as well as a few others.

Yes, we are the only sound company left from those early days of midi and have lot’s of cool sounds for those old 80’s synth beasts. The decade of Miami Vice, Van Halen and Big Hair.

Not sure how to download sounds or want to know how our e-mail delivery works? It’s quick, simple, and FREE! And best of all, you can have your new sounds within hours of placing your order.

Here is how it works: After you place your order, we e-mail you a user name and a password along with a web address. Go to the web address that we send in the e-mail and sign in with the user name and password, click on the download link and download your new sounds. Easy as pie.

After you download our sounds, PC users unzip the file using your winzip program. Macintosh users unstuff the file using your stuffit expander program. You can download winzip at: winzip.com or stuffit expander at: stuffit.com. They are both shareware programs and are free and easy to use.

After you unzip or unstuff, what you do next depends on if you have a synthesizer or digital sampler. If your working with a synthesizer, save the files to a Floppy Disk, Smart Media Card, USB Stick, Hard Drive, CD-ROM or whatever you happen to be using for storage. Then you can load in our sounds from your Synthesizers Floppy Drive, CD-ROM or Smart Media Device. If your using a digital sampler then simply take the new samples that you download and import them into whatever software program or hardware sampler that your working with. That’s it!

If your synthesizer does not have a floppy drive, cd or smart media device built in then you can load in the sounds through the synths MIDI port doing a System Exclusive (.syx) data transfer. We provide the software with your order that lets you load the sounds into your synth.

We also provide the synth sounds in standard midi file format (.mid). You can use your sequencer program (Logic, Cubase, Digital Performer etc) to load in the data. To load via your sequencer just import the file into a track. Then play the track and the data will load into your synth. The midi files will also work with windows media player. Just import them into windows media player and play.

So you see, there are several different ways to get the sounds into your synth. We try to give you as many options and make it easy as possible for you to start using your new sounds right away.

Over 90% of our catalog is available for download delivery. Just about everything except the sampled sounds on floppy disk for vintage samplers. For more info on how that all works check out our “Sysex Made Simple” page. You can also find out more about all our “available formats over here”.

Of course.. if you have any questions or problems with the e-mail delivery we will be happy to assist. Out customer support rules!

Check it out… If you never did it before you will be amazed at how quick and easy it is. Why spend more money on shipping and have to wait longer too? Our downloadable sounds and e-mail delivery is the way to go.

We wanted to set the record straight when it comes to what sounds you can and can not order and also what format to pick when placing an order at our web site. It’s understandable that with the large number of products in our catalog and the many formats that you can get sounds in, there is bound to be some confusion.

Let me first clear up the confusion about our “Sound Patch Libraries”. You can NOT order any of our synthesizer “Sound Patch” collections unless you actually have the same synthesizer that we are selling sounds for. (Lets use the Oberheim OB8 as an example) In other words, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A OBERHIEM OB8 IF YOU WANT TO BUY OUR OBERHEIM OB8 PATCHES!! These Patches were created “specifically for the Oberheim OB8″ and get loaded into the OB8’s internal memory and a OB8 is required to access them. You can NOT load these sounds into your hardware or software sampler or any other instrument besides a OB8.

We are using the OB8 as an example, but I could just was well be talking about any of our sound patch collections. So anything that’s labeled “patches” fits into this category. If your anywhere in the Roland, Korg, Yamaha, Kawai, Sequential or Oberheim section of our web site then anything we have for sale over there are considered “Patches”. Yeah, it’s a lot of stuff. Probably the largest in the world. That’s why we are called “The Patch King”!

That’s not to say that you can’t get some really cool Oberheim OB8 sounds for your software or hardware sampler. You just need to go to a different part of kidnepro.com to find it. What we have done is “Digitally Sample” some of the best sounds from our OB8 patch collection and turn them into AIFF, WAV, Akai, Kontakt, and many other sample based formats. You can find all of that at our “Sample City” section of our web site. This is where you want to go if you are looking for new sounds for your hardware or software sampler.

Getting back to our OB8 patches it may be a bit confusing when you see that at the OB8 page it say’s they are available in WAV file format. In this case the WAV format means that instead of purchasing the data cassette tape which gets loaded though the OB8’s cassette port, you can purchase the WAV file from us. We have saved the cassette data as a WAV file so that it can be downloaded from us and you don’t have to wait for the cassette tape to be delivered in the mail. Once you download it from us, just connect your computer audio card output to your synths cassette interface input and you can load in the sounds the same way you would from a cassette tape. The files will open in any program that plays .WAV files. This is true for any of the vintage synths that we sell patches for that load in sounds via the old style cassette interface. This includes instruments like the Roland Juno 106, Juno 60, Jupiter-6 Jupiter-8, Korg Poly 800, DW6000 and DW8000 as well as a few others.

So basically the main thing to remember is that “Patches” are for your synthesizer (and you need to have the same synth) and “Samples” are for your digital sampler.

Another issue which we would like to address is the various “formats” that you can purchase sounds in. Sounds are available in many different formats so try and take a look at your options before placing an order. We have put together a web page which fills you in on all the different options. You can find it “OVER HERE”. Please try and have a look at it before ordering and it should address most of your questions.

Also note that our online order form has a “comments” section in which we ask you to include the synthesizer or sampler that your working with. Please include that along with any other info about your computer set up or anything else that you think might be helpful. That will help us avoid any mistakes when processing your order and make sure that your getting the right stuff!

If after reading this your still confused then don’t worry. Just give us a call at: 718-732-0553 or email us with a brief description of your set up and we will be happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Many vintage digital samplers use SCSI ports (pronounced “scuzzy) in order to connect them to external devices such as CD-ROM, Zip or Hard Drive. SCSI stands for “Small Computer System Interface”. Since the advent of the USB and Firewire protocols SCSI has long since been discontinued, but is still popular with musicians using older equipment. We are one of the few companies where you an still get a SCSI CD-ROM or ZIP Drive. All our drives have been refurbished and come with a one year warranty.

If you have purchased a drive from us, here are a few tips about working with our SCSI CD-ROM or ZIP Drives:

1- Do not connect or disconnect the CD or ZIP drive when your sampler is turned on. Make sure to connect everything first and then turn on your sampler.

2- The CD-ROM or ZIP drive is set to a “SCSI Channel”. In the SCSI chain you can connect up to eight different devices. Each device must be on a different SCSI channel in order for everything to work properly. In other words, if you have both a CD-ROM drive and a ZIP drive your CD drive must be on a different SCSI channel then your zip drive. Our CD and Zip drives usually get set to channel four, five or six, however SCSI devices can usually be set to channels “zero through seven”.

All digital samplers that have SCSI ports have a parameter inside them that lets you set the SCSI channel in order to connect them to external devices. Remember that your sampler must be on the same SCSI channel as your CD, ZIP or Hard Drive. It’s done a little differently on every sampler so we can’t get too specific on exactly how that’s done with every one. Best to check your owners manuel or contact the manufacture for details.

Here is an example on how it’s done with the original Akai MPC2000:

A- Select Shift and Disk.

B- Change “device” from floppy to SCSI channel using the data wheel. Keep scrolling with the wheel until you see one of our programs pop up in the MPC’s screen. The drive is probably on channel 4, 5 or 6. Once your connected to can scroll though the programs and pick the one that you want to load.

C- Our program sets are broken up into “partitions”. Each partition usually has 12 or 13  programs on it. To get from one partition to the next, just change from partition A to partitions B, C or D. Go to “part” and use the data wheel to switch partitions.

Each of our Millennium Zip/CD Disks has 50 programs. Each program has multiple samples in it and the samples are mapped out across the MPC’s pads for you. We recommend you load the sounds as a “program” (.pgm). You can also load in the sounds as individual samples and create your own custom programs.

If you need any more info please contact us via phone or e-mail.

If you found this page from a search engine and are interested in purchasing a SCSI CD-ROM or ZIP drive just CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO..

That’s right. We get a lot of calls and e-mail from synth owners in a panic because they just turned on their keyboard or module and all the sounds are gone. They want to replace them as soon as possible for that gig on the weekend or tonight’s recording session.

Many of them ask…..”What Happened”???

What happened was that their synth’s “Internal Battery” died. That’s right… All hardware synths come with a battery that is inside the casing. Most have “Lithium Battery’s” similar to a cell phone or digital camera. Those little round ones that are about the size of a U.S. nickle. They are designed to last about ten years and when they die whatever you have in your synth’s memory is wiped out.

It’s great if you have your data backed up. Of course if you don’t then your in trouble, so make sure you back up your sounds. However, even if you do have your data backed up you will have to replace the battery or else the synth will not hold the data in it’s memory. As soon as you turn off the synth everything gets wiped out again.

What you have to do is open up the synth and take the casing off so you can get inside and replace the battery. That can usually be done pretty easily with just a philips screw driver. Some synths are easier to get inside then other ’s so if your not quite sure about how that works then best to call a service tech who can go in and do it for you. In general it’s a fairly simple job that you can probably handle without having to pay a tech to do it for you.

Once you have the synth’s casing off then look around for that little nickle shaped lithium battery that I talked about. Simple remove it and then look for the model number that should be on the face of the battery. If the model number is not on the battery then contact the company who manufactures the synth (if they are still in business) and ask them what it is. You can also try doing a search on google or any internet search engine. You never know what your gonna find on that!

The good news it that it’s usually pretty easy to get a replacement battery for most synths. Places like Radio Shack, J&R music or many computer stores carry a wide selection of lithium battery’s. They only cost a few dollars so you can be back up and running without having to go too deep into your pockets.

Once you’ve replaced your battery and put the casing back on then just load everything back in and you will be back in business. Many newer synths can be “re-initilized” from the synths front panel which will get you back to the factory settings. Check your owners manuel to see if your synth can do that.

If for one reason or another you have not backed up your stuff then contact us and we will try to help you out. We have a large inventory of patch data from many vintage synths going back nearly twenty five years and there is a good chance that we have a great collection of sounds that you can use to get you going again. It may not be the same data that you originally had, but it will certainly get you back on track and there is a good chance that you will find a big improvement over to what you had in there originally. After all it’s from “The Patch King”!!!!

The morel of the story is “BACK UP YOUR DATA”. You never know when your synth’s battery is going to die and best to be prepared. There are several ways to back up your stuff depending on your synth. Vintage synths produced during the 70’s and early 80’s usually did it to a data cassette tape although with the advent of MIDI in the mid 80’s that all changed and the newer synths let you use “sysex - system exclusive”. That store’s the sounds on your computer hard drive. More info on how to save and load sounds via midi can be found at another article we have put together called SYSEX MADE SIMPLE. Be sure to check that out if your interested in saving your sounds on your synths hard drive.

If you need any more info please contact us and we will be happy to help you out.