Conference napalm::commusic_v1

1602.0. "Tape dump networking" by MIZZOU::SHERMAN (socialism doesn't work ...) Fri Aug 05 1988 17:05

I just added another 'network' to my setup.  Thought y'all might get a kick
out of it.  For background, the system already has the power network (getting 
everything to the filtered, protected power supply), the MIDI network (what
can I say?) and the audio network (multiplexing all the audio channels 
eventually to my stereo).  Well, now I've added the tape dump network.  This 
is because I don't have a PC or a disk drive to dump MIDI stuff to.  And, 
bein' the cheap weenie that I am, I would rather have a reliable (albeit slow),
easy as well as ultra cheap way to save stuff.  Basically, it works like this:


			  +---------------------+
	other audio------>|			|------>to mixer
	tape deck out---->|			|------>tape deck in
	QX5 tape out----->| $20 Rat Shack mixer |------>QX5 tape in
	TX81Z tape out--->| (the R-box)		|------>TX81Z tape in
			  +---------------------+

	
The 'other audio' will come from a cheapie reverb box I have that has
a mic input.  This way, I'll be able to add a vocal preamble to each tape dump.
The signal going to the mixer goes into an unused ceramic phono input that
can be switched into the main audio path of the system.  This allows me to
hear and check the dumps at a tolerable volume.  

I use a separate tape deck that sits on the stand.  It's an old, relatively 
cheap ($50?) and simple stereo deck with few features.  The tapes I use cost
me 40� each.  They are really noisey, but I run the bulk tape eraser over them
and they improve a lot.  (By the way, Rat Shack is selling bulk tape erasers
for really cheap nowadays.  I find I'm using mine all the time, now.)

Although the TR-505 has a tape dump capability, too, I don't ever use it 
because I work sequences out on it, then record it on the QX5 via MIDI.

On the tape dump outputs from the TZ and QX I use Y-connectors (constructed 
all of my own cables) to split the mono tape outputs into two signals.  
But, the tape dump inputs are mono from either the left or right channel.
This way, both channels are generated for the tape deck but only one 
channel is used when sending a tape dump to the TZ or QX.  I hope that this 
will give me a little redundance when it comes to restoring tape dump info.  
For example, if the left channel screws up, I can (manually) change over to 
the right channel and see if the information there will load.  In addition, I
plan to record each dump twice.

The R-box/mixer allows me to route connections just about anywhere.  Just
for kicks, I even tried having the QX verify data that the TZ was sending 
and vice versa.  They both got confused ...

Prior to this, it was really a hassle messing with the different types of
cables and hookups whenever I needed to dump anything to or from tape.  And, 
if it didn't work, I had to rig up some way of monitoring the dump sounds so 
I could troubleshoot the problem.  Now, I flip a few switches and I'm ready to
dump!  And, it seems like the dumps are more reliable through the use of the
bulk tape eraser and redundance.  I would even go so far as to say that this
method, once set up, is of the same order of ease as dumping to a floppy disk, 
though the time for the dump is much longer.


Steve

    It's a great idea Steve.  Tape dumps are a royal pain for this reason
    as well as others.
    
    Fortunately, those days are gone for me.  The SQ-80 floppy can be used to
    save MIDI dumps of non-Ensoniq devices.  Since everything in my system
    that does MIDI SysEx dumps already has a MIDI path to and from the
    SQ-80 (it being the MIDI hub of my system), I don't have to rewire a
    thing to do MIDI SAVEs and LOADs to floppy.
    
    At the recent Roland clinic, I told the Roland rep that EVERYTHING
    they come out with that has a builtin floppy drive should be able
    to save SysEx dumps from OTHER devices.
    
    To me, it's yet another endearing feature provided by Ensoniq.
    
    Now if I could only talk them into providing MIDI merge...

    Yeah, db.  If I had the bucks I'd go for something that had a nice drive.
    An SQ-80 would be soooooooo nice!  But, so far I've spent about
    $3200 for my setup, the most expensive single piece being the S-10
    ($795) and the next most expensive being the QX5 ($445).  I've not 
    yet had the testosterone to join the 'big' league...  But, I am happy
    with what I have ( ... or at least able to convince myself that I am ;-) ).
    If I *do* eventually land on something that can accept MIDI dumps,
    I'll dump tape dumps. But, I don't think I'll be able to justify
    that kind of cost in the near future.  
    
    The reason, of course, for going to the tape dump network is to
    maximize bang for the buck while incorporating something that is easy
    and straightforward to do.
    
    
    Steve

    I've had to make a change to the setup to improve reliability. 
    Seems the QX5 sends out lines levels on its tape out, but the TX81Z
    sends out microphone levels.  So, I've had to improvise.  But, rather
    than route extra lines to the mic inputs on the tape, I took the
    weenie way out and just use another tape deck dedicated to the TZ.
    
    Steve