S-330 MU-1 Mouse Questions

[justino30]

I have a Roland S-330 sampler, I've found it very difficult to use it with only the small arrow buttons on the rack. I got it for a good deal so I want to get some use out of it. So I rummaged through a surplus store and found me a Belkin© serial mouse. I thought i could use it instead of the MU-1 which is expensive and hard to come by, and this serial mouse has the same port connection and fits in the unit nicely. However whether its my S-330 settings or something, the mouse doesnt seem to be working. I tried holding down the down arrow when turning on the unit (as instructed in the guidebook) but the mouse still doesnt seem to work...

question:
1. is it possible to use a regular serial mouse with the S-330 or, as i read somewhere, do you have to use the 'msx' type mice with this unit.

2. i found a serial to ps/2 adapter at staples, will that work if i plug in a regular ps/2 mouse into the adapter then into the unit?

thanks in advance!

[D-Collector]

You have to get a MSX type mouse as far as I know.

[justino30]

lol not the response i wanted to hear but thanks for your input
does anyone else have any opinions?

[cornutt]

What D-Collector said; you need to get an MSX mouse. I see new imported ones on eBay, but yeah, they're not cheap ($80 on a BIN listing that I got from a search). I tried Amazon and they don't seem to have them.

[aeon]

Not only do you need a MSX mouse, you may have fried out the mouse port by connecting the wrong type. I know this could happen on some other Roland samplers.


hope not,
Ian

[justino30]

wow.
okay thanks for the input

[matia]

I just ordered one of those MSX mice from Japan. I'll let you know what I think when it comes in. It claims it's brand new (and for $75 USD it damn well better be) so we shall see. I have a Roland S 760 that needs the mouse

-matia

[HideawayStudio]

I just ordered one of those MSX mice from Japan. I'll let you know what I think when it comes in. It claims it's brand new (and for $75 USD it damn well better be) so we shall see. I have a Roland S 760 that needs the mouse

-matia

It is true that the original mouse was MSX compatible - however - it is possible to build a simple interface to allow you to use a PC serial mouse. I built one for my S-330 and it worked a treat. The interface consists of a PIC micro and a handful of other components. If you can use a soldering iron then the cost of the interface is less than $10.

Using the S-330 with a mouse and monitor interface is SO much better

[justino30]

haha wow thats the best news yet,
do you have the schematics for making the interface? it sounds like a worthy project; i just hope i didnt already fry the port..

also looking forward to see whether the japanese msx mouse ends up working, i may have to pick one up as a last resort!

[HideawayStudio]

haha wow thats the best news yet,
do you have the schematics for making the interface? it sounds like a worthy project; i just hope i didnt already fry the port..

also looking forward to see whether the japanese msx mouse ends up working, i may have to pick one up as a last resort!

I'd be very surprised if the Japanese MSX mouse didn't work - just remember you have to hold down the down cursor whilst powering up the S-330 to enter mouse mode.

I will try and find the link to the project on the net for the interface which is actually for the MSX - not the S-330 but since they use the same spec port it works for both.

[matia]

Well this is great indeed. Any schematics? I've seen some of these projects but none with a how-to.

Regarding the MSX mouse, it came in and is EXACTLY as described (ie BRAND NEW). There's a really cute Japanese mouse box for it too. It works great and I am currently formatting an nice big scsi hard drive for use with the 760.

-matia