Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Hansurabi · Unread post by **Hansurabi** » Mon Dec 14, 2015 1:50 pm

Hey there!
Anyone interested in the 5 MB RAM expansion board by musitronics (for a maximum of 8 MB RAM)?
We need at least about 3 or 4 people so that musitronics would order new circuit boards.
Otherwise manufacturing is too expansive.
http://musitronics.de/musitronics.org/p ... _ex_e.html
Cheers!

Unread post by **Derek** » Mon Dec 14, 2015 3:21 pm

Hi.

Possibly is the answer.
1) What price would the upgrade be?
2) Does the upgrade require a specific OS version and/or board versions?

Unread post by **parametric** » Mon Dec 14, 2015 3:36 pm

From Musitronics site: http://musitronics.de/musitronics.org/p ... _ex_e.html gives details.

ROM v1.57 is mentioned.

Pricing seem to be EUR 199 for the 3Mb and EUR 299 for the 5Mb

parametric

Hansurabi · Unread post by **Hansurabi** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 5:18 pm

Yep, 299 EUR for 5MB and v 1.57 needed.

It's the only possible way as far as i know to expand SY99's memory up to 8 MB in total.
Nowadays it seems very difficult to get some more memory at all, because the original expansions are very rare (and expansive) and
sector101's replica is sold out.

So i think, 300 EUR for 5 MB at one blow seems like a fair deal.

I talked with the guy from musitronics and he told me that he gladly would produce some new expansion boards -
as soon as there are few people more than just me who want to have it.

So - anyone out there to join in for a new series of musitronics expansion boards??

Unread post by **Derek** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 6:34 pm

I'm afraid that's too expensive for me to be interested. If it was half that price then count me in.

DrSynth · Unread post by **DrSynth** » Sat Mar 25, 2017 10:22 pm

I've contacted Musitronics again about a small (4-6 unit) run of 5MB expansions. They are looking into fabrication costs of the PCB's and have said they'll get back to me in about 2 weeks.

I'm looking for others interested if it comes close to the original EUR 299. I know that might be a little steep for some, but I'm determined to make this happen -- so please post your interest here (or PM or email me thru the forums) and tell me what is the price you're OK paying for a unit. I am willing to personally subsidize some of the costs if need be if they're not exhorbitant.

Remember -- You have to already have a v1.57 unit. As I mentioned in the 'begging for chips' thread, if you don't already have it you need to replace both the ROM and the CPU, and the CPU is close to unobtanium at this point.

Manny

DrSynth · Unread post by **DrSynth** » Sat Jun 10, 2017 5:41 pm

Update for those who may not be following the "Begging for ROMS's" thread -- We have successfully sourced and burned CPU chips, and have all the resources necessary for updating the SY99 firmware to the required version 1.57 needed to run the Musitronics expansion.

So, if you have an older pre-1.57 unit and are interested, now it is possible to upgrade your unit

Manny

Unread post by **Saul** » Sat Jun 10, 2017 9:55 pm

Thanks for the update Manny. Pretty sure some will be interested in that although the price might put a few people off.

Unread post by **Derek** » Sat Jun 10, 2017 11:19 pm

Price for that amount of memory these days puts me off, esp when I have access to Kronos sample streaming.

But I can appreciate the desire to max out the SY99

so good luck!

DrSynth · Unread post by **DrSynth** » Sat Jun 17, 2017 6:26 am

Latest news -- Things are going in a different direction now due to Musitronics being uncommunicative of their intent to actually follow through.

Getting together the resources to do an all in one 8MB expansion with modern (i.e. cheap) components. It would replace the board that goes to the SYEMB05 Ram expansion slots and use the existing cabling and only 1 or 2 soldered control wires. Sort of a 'big brother' to the 4MB board EX5_Tech tried to get up and running a few years ago.

Will keep you posted, am hoping to have a test prototype done by the end of July.

Manny.

PS - sure modern gear does 'a lot more for less' but unfortunately I want that sample RAM _in_ my SY ! It's about what I can do with those samples with the FM engine

Unread post by **Saul** » Sat Jun 17, 2017 12:31 pm

I understand where your coming from there Manny. A lot of musicians are doing more these days with older "apparently" less capable keyboards than with the latest flagship products from the usual suspects.

There is something particularly satisfying about getting the most out of one of these classic keyboards. Hope that all pans out for you

Unread post by **Derek** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 5:05 pm

Yes, I can understand the desire to get this going, even if I don't have a personal interest. So good luck and keep us posted.

Fubard · Unread post by **Fubard** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 6:34 pm

I'm interested!

DrSynth · Unread post by **DrSynth** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 10:34 pm

Great to see interest. I've gotten quite busy, so not as fas along as I'd hoped. The schematic is done, and now at the stage to layout and design the circuit board.

Manny

P.S. If anyone has experience in PCB layout please let me know. I'm trying to teach myself when I have time, but it's going slow...

hwkoch · Unread post by **hwkoch** » Tue Aug 01, 2017 9:44 pm

i´d be interested as well. just picked up a sy99 (again, after selling mine a couple of years ago).

Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Re: Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Re: Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Re: Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Re: Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Re: Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Re: Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Re: Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Re: Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Re: Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Re: Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Re: Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Re: Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Re: Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?

Re: Musitronics 5MB RAM Expansion - anyone?