Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

Are we seriously complaining about break out MIDI cables now? Those cost like $15 to replace and can easily be purchased online. It's no more of a "design flaw" than a synth having detachable power adapter that could get lost.

Here's an idea: Don't lose your stuff.

They also look very similar to the "To Host" data ports. The synths don't look small enough not to be able to have standard midi ports to me. Are they smaller/thinner than a QY70? Has anyone opened one up yet? I'm still curious if they use PLGs or daughter boards, or something else, anyhow... You could possibly drill a couple holes and mount standard midi ports in it using the break out cable if loosing your cable is that big of a worry for you. Or, maybe just duct tape it to the synth. You know what else would of been maybe not necessarily innovative but would simply make a ton of sense and they didn't do it? USB powered and rechargeable dudes. F batteries right in the A hole. Bluetooth might of made some sense too, I wonder if it be possible to input to your phone and bluetooth it out from there to usb recharable bluetooth headphones. That'd maybe even give the battery life some extra time, instead of constantly being worried about loosing your wall wart and having to velcro it to the side of the synth with an extra 3 ft of extension cord for those 5+ hour gigs every weekend.

Re-Member wrote:Are we seriously complaining about break out MIDI cables now? Those cost like $15 to replace and can easily be purchased online. It's no more of a "design flaw" than a synth having detachable power adapter that could get lost.

Here's an idea: Don't lose your stuff.

My SY99 doesn't have a detachable power cable, so it's clearly superior to your synths.

abruzzi wrote:

Re-Member wrote:Are we seriously complaining about break out MIDI cables now? Those cost like $15 to replace and can easily be purchased online. It's no more of a "design flaw" than a synth having detachable power adapter that could get lost.

Here's an idea: Don't lose your stuff.

My SY99 doesn't have a detachable power cable, so it's clearly superior to your synths.

My Juno-60 and DX11 both don't have detachable cords, which personally I dislike because they are always dangling there each time I move my gear around. Plus it adds more weight to the unit. Detachable adapters work better for me since I can I bundle them with my audio cables and etc. And if happen to lose them, I'm certainly not going to cry about it being some kind of design flaw that they are not attached. There's a huge difference between an actual design flaw and human error. I wouldn't blame Honda if I lost my car keys.

I don't think this has been posted already, and it is my favorite Reface video so far: http://captiongenerator.com/49055/Hitle ... aha-Reface

Re-Member wrote: Detachable adapters work better for me since I can I bundle them with my audio cables and etc. And if happen to lose them, I'm certainly not going to cry about it being some kind of design flaw that they are not attached.

Totally OT, but...

This is a perfect example of how people perceive gear features differently.

I hate AC adapters not because you can lose them but because they have flimsy cables that are always too short. I've seen a number of them fail on a gig so if it's your only instrument you'd better pack a spare adapter. Wall warts are a PITA when you need to plug a few into a single power strip...and because the cables are so short you will have to do this

Detachable IEC-style grounded AC cords are fine for gear that will never move or is always racked, but I hate them on gigging gear that is constantly being moved and has no place to store the cord (storage inside a case or bag for the unit is OK). I've been on gigs where the entire PA was DOA because all the power cords for the mixer and powered speakers were left at home, even though all the XLR cables had been packed. That never happens with an attached cord

Last year I posted a rant about the TRS-midi special cables needed for the new Korg Electribe products, and I got pushed aside bitterly.
http://www.vintagesynth.com/forum/viewt ... 12#p733912
So now you get ANOTHER different midi cable... Way to go for a standard! :/

Meatball, you might get some of these -

commodorejohn wrote:Then that's a design flaw.

You're right of course, which is why your mighty synthesizer company is the biggest in the world and Yamaha are but a lowly grub at your feet, wishing they could design as well as you.

Jabberwalky wrote:That looks extremely easy to make. Wonder where you can buy the end connector?

It's a standard 6-pin mini-DIN, so pretty much anywhere. It'll set you back the princely sum of $2.00 on Digikey.

meatballfulton wrote: I hate AC adapters not because you can lose them but because they have flimsy cables that are always too short. I've seen a number of them fail on a gig so if it's your only instrument you'd better pack a spare adapter. Wall warts are a PITA when you need to plug a few into a single power strip...and because the cables are so short you will have to do this

Detachable IEC-style grounded AC cords are fine for gear that will never move or is always racked, but I hate them on gigging gear that is constantly being moved and has no place to store the cord (storage inside a case or bag for the unit is OK). I've been on gigs where the entire PA was DOA because all the power cords for the mixer and powered speakers were left at home, even though all the XLR cables had been packed. That never happens with an attached cord

1. Power cord extensions exist, even ones which can be locked into place so it doesn't become loose by mistake.
2. If the possibility of a power cord or adapter randomly failing requires bringing a spare, the same chance of failure also applies to a synth with a built-in power supply. Plus, it's easier to replace a power adopter vs. replacing or repairing an entire synthesizer.
3. Not all power adapters have wall warts attached at the base of the plug.
4. Power strips come in all shapes and sizes with outlets facing multiple directions, making multiple wall warts manageable.
5. If someone doesn't have the right tools for a job, then human error is entirely to blame. It's equally possible for someone to forget audio cables for a PA set up as well since they are also not attached.

Stab Frenzy wrote:You're right of course, which is why your mighty synthesizer company is the biggest in the world and Yamaha are but a lowly grub at your feet, wishing they could design as well as you.

Damn straight.

ReMember,

Like I wrote:

This is a perfect example of how people perceive gear features differently.

Whether it's minikeys or wall-warts, there will always be a difference of opinion.

2. If the possibility of a power cord or adapter randomly failing requires bringing a spare, the same chance of failure also applies to a synth with a built-in power supply. Plus, it's easier to replace a power adopter vs. replacing or repairing an entire synthesizer.

Risk of failure of a wall wart cable is higher because of the thin cable and the way it attaches to the plug and the transformer brick. Risk of losing a cable is infinitely higher than using an attached cable which can never be lost or forgotten

I get your point completely. Back OT, OK?

Seriously Guys think about it , Midi only needs 3 pins. Why not make MIDI on mini jacks ? Seriously DIN in 2015 ?

Alphacode wrote:Seriously Guys think about it , Midi only needs 3 pins. Why not make MIDI on mini jacks ? Seriously DIN in 2015 ?

Look at what happened with all the various USB connectors. In the pro audio world the transition to Speakon connectors is still incomplete after 28 years!

The MMA needs to codify alternate connectors or it becomes the wild west. For connection to existing gear, one end of the cable needs to be DIN anyway.