old school midi sequencer / Cassette data storage

[casualtyfigure]

I have this thing for buying completely obselete gear.
For example...(the piece im talking about)

Yamaha QX21

It has a little bit of internal memory.
But it can connect to a cassette recorder
Using a special cable.

I havent really gotten into the manual yet.
figured id ask here first.


The setup

QX21
Electribe EA-1
Modified Drummachine through the input of the EA1
(for further sequencing)

If i go through, and get the cable for saving data,
and getting the cassette recorder.

What exactly will this do?

Im expecting it will GREATLY improve available memory.
I basically just want to track on it,
But with all the modulations, knob turns and such,
it doesnt let me get very much down.


Im pretty much new to midi in general.
I have a PC interface. But i prefer to not depend on my PC.
(especially if i get around to performing live again.)

But...

the qx21 without the cassette stuff.
I love it, absolutely love it.
(especially for the price...$20)
But, the memory is short.


anyways


thanks for reading any info would be appreciated!!


casualtyfigure@yahoo.com
http://www.myspace.com/casualtyfigure

 

[AlChuck]

The cassette is used for data storage; you won't be able to use it as real-time memory. You can only back up what's in memory or load up the memory with data you've already archived onto tape.

 

[altitude909]

If i go through, and get the cable for saving data,
and getting the cassette recorder.

What exactly will this do?

Allow you to save sequences to cassette. You would do the same thing by hacking in a 1/4" connector to the cable and saving to the computer (just record the input)

Im expecting it will GREATLY improve available memory.
I basically just want to track on it,
But with all the modulations, knob turns and such,
it doesnt let me get very much down.

Not really, the qx21 is a relic with only 8000 note capacity, the EA1 will have way more than that.

Unfortunately, 20$ is probably more that this thing is worth. If you want to go vintage sequencer, look for an alesis MMT8. Those still have a strong following and there are very good resources out there

 

[casualtyfigure]

The cassette is used for data storage; you won't be able to use it as real-time memory. You can only back up what's in memory or load up the memory with data you've already archived onto tape.

yeah, after i posted, i redownloaded the manual, read a bit about the cassette part.

i found that fact out.

i was hoping the cassette would record as real time memory!!!

That pretty much makes it pointless to do the tape thing.


thanks for your help!

 

[casualtyfigure]

Not really, the qx21 is a relic with only 8000 note capacity, the EA1 will have way more than that.

yeah...obselete gear. lol


The EA1 has WAY more memory,
But only records single knob turns per part,
But the QX21 records *almost ALL turns.
and that fact alone, is the saving grace of the qx21.

and that the realtime "recording" is a bit more linear than the Ea1.
(im kind of looking at them as a team.)

Ea1 you have to choose a measure, then associate a pattern to the measure.
then do that over and over and over and over etc...kind of tedious.

thanks for the info.

I was wondering about that whole splicing of the cassette wirey thing.

good to know!

thanks again.

 

[casualtyfigure]

in summation

QX21 -


Good for half-assed production and sample creation.


not much else.





thanks for the time and the replies!

 

[ssscientist]

But the QX21 records *almost ALL turns. and that fact alone, is the saving grace of the qx21.

No it's not, unless you're planning to use a battery of them to automate a single passage.

8 Kb of raw, fire-snortin' memory space would be consumed by a knob twist or two.

A QX21 would make a fine doorstop or paperweight but has no modern musical use.

.

 

[casualtyfigure]

No it's not, unless you're planning to use a battery of them to automate a single passage.

8 Kb of raw, fire-snortin' memory space would be consumed by a knob twist or two.

A QX21 would make a fine doorstop or paperweight but has no modern musical use.

.

LOL

ok, realistically im totally with you.
It IN NO WAY compares to ANY midi sequencer made
in the last 10 years. And thats not even bringing up
PC/Mac interfaces!

Memory? Theres more memory
in a may fly.

the machine is an easy way to kick myself in the balls.

but one mans trash...


Like looking for full-scale rpg gaming out of a scribbled game of tic tac toe.

Theres a use for everything,
just a matter of how you look at it.