Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
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- guillermotin
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Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
Recently I found the cassette interface to be quite a useful feature to store patches on my Juno 106 and Korg Dw-8000, so much that I prefer using that over MIDI. Just record the output as any other sound file and save it in my projects folder. Neat and plain simple.
I know that the Prophet 5 and Moog Source also include this interface, but I'm still wondering: are there many other synths with this feature?
I know that the Prophet 5 and Moog Source also include this interface, but I'm still wondering: are there many other synths with this feature?
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Re: Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
The Ensoniq ESQ-1 has it. I remember hours of time lost to trying to find the perfect audio level, and more hours lost to verifications which didn't pass. Tape dropout, solar winds, the Northern Lights, or something more obscure... the recording just wasn't satisfactory to the ESQ.
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Re: Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
Ensoniq ESQ-1, Korg Poly800, Korg Polysix, Yamaha DX-21 are 4 I can think of immediately. There are quite a lot.
Edit : Oh and a Casio CZ-5000.
Edit : Oh and a Casio CZ-5000.
Last edited by Psy_Free on Thu May 05, 2011 5:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
Welcome to 1980's technology!
Akai AX60
Kawai SX210
Korg PolySix, Poly 800, EX-800
Moog MemoryMoog
Oberheim Matrix 6R, Matrix 12
Roland JP-6, JU-60, MKS-50
SCI Prophet 600
A lot of PPG & Yamaha synths, drum machines & sequencers have tape back-up but require a special DIN cable with coordinating mini-jacks on the other end.
All the Roland TR series drum machines except 606 & 808 have tape back up, too.
Akai AX60
Kawai SX210
Korg PolySix, Poly 800, EX-800
Moog MemoryMoog
Oberheim Matrix 6R, Matrix 12
Roland JP-6, JU-60, MKS-50
SCI Prophet 600
A lot of PPG & Yamaha synths, drum machines & sequencers have tape back-up but require a special DIN cable with coordinating mini-jacks on the other end.
All the Roland TR series drum machines except 606 & 808 have tape back up, too.
Last edited by Z on Thu May 05, 2011 6:38 pm, edited 5 times in total.
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Re: Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
Korg Poly61
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- guillermotin
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Re: Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
Wow, that many yet?
Never had a chance to check that Ensoniq, but with my synths the tape works flawlessly.
This seems to be a common feature on 80's Roland gear. I only find it unusual that my Jx10 lacks one, as it would've made my life much easier...
Never had a chance to check that Ensoniq, but with my synths the tape works flawlessly.
This seems to be a common feature on 80's Roland gear. I only find it unusual that my Jx10 lacks one, as it would've made my life much easier...
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Re: Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
Memory Carts were much easier, plus they give you immeidate access to additional sounds. Plus, that was a way for manufacutres to make more money!guillermotin wrote: This seems to be a common feature on 80's Roland gear. I only find it unusual that my Jx10 lacks one, as it would've made my life much easier...
Are you sure? I just looked at photos of a CZ-5000 I recently sold and I don't see any cassette jacks on the rear and nothing on the front panel regarding tape. I'm just going by my photos, though, and not first-hand knowledge.psy-free wrote: Edit : Oh and a Casio CZ-5000.
Last edited by Z on Thu May 05, 2011 5:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- guillermotin
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Re: Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
Yeah, I agree... they made us buy those M64c carts only to store patch banks. At least this was a better idea than using floppy disks!Z wrote:Memory Carts were much easier, plus they give you immeidate access to additional sounds. Plus, that was a way for manufacutres to make more money!guillermotin wrote: This seems to be a common feature on 80's Roland gear. I only find it unusual that my Jx10 lacks one, as it would've made my life much easier...
Re: Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
Question: What are people using for the cassette recorders?
My walkman doesn't cut it
I'd really like a cassette recorder with a speed adjustment, as I deleted all the patches in my T8 this week trying to load the factory patches from a stupid wine country tape that was recorded at 90% speed.
My walkman doesn't cut it

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Re: Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
i think a lot of people use their computer for recording the carrier signal. the line in/out jacks should work fine. you should be able to control the speed as well.
its a miracle those cassette interfaces ever worked. the few implementations i've seen have been pretty shoddy.
its a miracle those cassette interfaces ever worked. the few implementations i've seen have been pretty shoddy.
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Re: Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
Yep. It has an 'MT' terminal output on the back which allows you to save/load patches or sequencer data. Never used it myself though.Z wrote:Are you sure? I just looked at photos of a CZ-5000 I recently sold and I don't see any cassette jacks on the rear and nothing on the front panel regarding tape. I'm just going by my photos, though, and not first-hand knowledge.
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Re: Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
LinnDrum, Bit 99, Yamaha CS-40m, Yamaha TX-81Z (with a special cable).
I'm pretty sure the Casio RZ-1 has this too, but my memory is hazy.
Funny, isn't it - back in the 80s we regularly entrusted our data to tape, and it went wrong fairly often - now it's super-easy and super-reliable to use a DAW to keep these files nice and organised. Win!
I'm pretty sure the Casio RZ-1 has this too, but my memory is hazy.
Funny, isn't it - back in the 80s we regularly entrusted our data to tape, and it went wrong fairly often - now it's super-easy and super-reliable to use a DAW to keep these files nice and organised. Win!
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Re: Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
Ah! That's what that is. Looks like you'll need a special cable like with PPG & Yamaha stuff.Psy_Free wrote:Yep. It has an 'MT' terminal output on the back which allows you to save/load patches or sequencer data. Never used it myself though.Z wrote:Are you sure? I just looked at photos of a CZ-5000 I recently sold and I don't see any cassette jacks on the rear and nothing on the front panel regarding tape. I'm just going by my photos, though, and not first-hand knowledge.
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Re: Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
Yes indeed.Z wrote:Looks like you'll need a special cable like with PPG & Yamaha stuff
- guillermotin
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Re: Synths that store patches through a cassette interface
nathanscribe wrote:LinnDrum, Bit 99, Yamaha CS-40m, Yamaha TX-81Z (with a special cable).
I'm pretty sure the Casio RZ-1 has this too, but my memory is hazy.
Funny, isn't it - back in the 80s we regularly entrusted our data to tape, and it went wrong fairly often - now it's super-easy and super-reliable to use a DAW to keep these files nice and organised. Win!
Yeah, that's the point. Today's reliability is much better than the tapes used back in the day.
Now, I'm curious about the Tx-81z cable, as I own one of those myself. I'd love to have more info on that.