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Ensoniq SD-1, VFX-sd, VFX
Tech Info

Repairs - Models - Determining the Operating System - Reinitializing

We cannot provide tech support for the general operation of your keyboard; however, we do carry the complete line of Ensoniq manuals.

Repairs
For maintenance or repair issues, you should contact an authorized Ensoniq Service Center in your area; call E-mu/Ensoniq at (831) 438-1921 to find a nearby service center, or contact one of those listed below. Syntaur Productions does not do any repair or service work, though we do sell a limited number of parts for some Ensoniq keyboards. We highly recommend the following service centers (you can ship your keyboard to them for service):
Audio Electronics in Dallas, Texas: (214) 349-5000
EPR Electronics in Tampa, Florida: (813) 234-0674

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Models
The VFX, VFX-sd, and SD-1 are all in the same "family" - meaning that they function similarly, and can share the same data (with a few exceptions). The VFX was the first in the family; this was a synthesizer without a sequencer or a floppy drive. The VFX-sd followed soon thereafter, and was more of a workstation with a full-function sequencer and a floppy drive to store sequences, sound data, and more. The SD-1 was the final member of the family, and it was basically an enhanced VFX-sd with additional waveforms.

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Determining Which Operating System You Have
The main Operating System (O.S.) firmware for the VFX, VFX-sd, and SD-1 resides on two EPROM chips located on the main circuit board. In addition, the VFX-sd and SD-1 load their sequencer O.S. from floppy disk. (In the event that the keyboard is reinitialized, the sequencer O.S. will have to be reloaded before the sequencer can be used.) The sequencer O.S. must be a version which is compatible with the firmware, otherwise you will get a message stating "INCOMPATIBLE O.S. VERSION." This can occur, for example, if you load the most recent sequencer O.S. from disk, yet you have older firmware.

The most recent O.S. versions for these keyboards are as follows:

Model Disk O.S. Firmware (EPROM O.S.)
SD-1 4.10 4.10
SD-1 32 Voice 4.10 4.10
VFX N/A 2.30
VFX-sd 2.10 2.00

You can determine which firmware version you have by pressing and holding the Presets button, and while holding it down, press the Master button. The "ROM V #.##" message on the second line tells the firmware version.

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Reinitializing
Reinitializing the VFX, VFX-sd, or SD-1 will reload the operating software into memory, taking care of any glitches that may have occurred in the software. This is a good thing to do if operation has become erratic. Reinitializing also erases the programs in the internal banks, erases any sequences in memory, and removes the sequencer O.S. from memory, so be sure you have all of your programs, sequences, and other data saved before you reinitialize.

To reinitialize the VFX, VFX-sd, or SD-1, press and hold the Presets button, and while holding it down, press the upper left "soft" button on the display. This calls up a screen which reads "ERASE ALL MEMORY AND REINITIALIZE?" Pressing the soft button over "YES" will complete the procedure and reboot the keyboard. All of the internal sounds will be erased and replaced with the ROM sounds.

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