Hi! A friend sent me here when I told them I got an issue with my ensoniq synth.
I recently got a VFX SD and today tried sending a sysex patch bank via midi using MIDIOX, did every step as shown in this video https://youtu.be/dmJfT47-62Y
But when I sent the sysex information, the VFX display showed “sysex error receiving files, press any key to continue” - after that, the first row of sounds was glitched. I turned the synth off and on again and now it seems like the internal RAM is botched, it’s stuck on this screen and none of the buttons work anymore. HELP!
I tried a hard reset (presets+soft button) but that also didn’t work… any way to get this thing back to life? Much appreciated
Hi,
You may try the “system reset sequence” : turn the unit OFF then ON slowly (at approx. 2 seconds interval) 7 times. At the 8th time you turn it ON, the unit should reset.
Good luck.
Good news. For the sysex issue, maybe the patch bank is the culprit. Could you share it ?
Do you know the ROM and KPC OS versions? If not sure hold the Presets button then press Master button. Both OS versions will be displayed.
Hey, sorry it took me a while to answer. OS is 2.0, KPC 233. I lost the sequencer OS after the system reset sequence, but that’s fine.
At this point I’ve tried many different files from different sources, for example:
They all result in a bunch of broken, gibberish patches, up to bank 7 - the last few don’t get changed. Sending SysEx this way now does not break the whole synth at least, but the patches also do not work.
I now tried a different software, MIDI Quest 13 Essentials. It offers an editor for the VFX SD, which does automatically detect the synth and is able to get the banks from the synth aswell. But trying to edit or send any data still does not work - the synth shows “MIDI SYSEX RECEIVE ERROR”.
In MIDI Quest, I set a 40ms delay buffer and matched the base midi channel (1).. sysex is also enabled on the VFX. I have no clue what I’m doing wrong.
Hey, sorry it took me a while to answer. OS is 2.0, KPC 233. I lost the sequencer OS after the system reset sequence, but that’s fine
Mine has same OS versions, the lastest ones AFAIK. Mine has SQX-70 sequencer extension installed (increase sequencer memory up to 74655 events). But I doubt this has any influence with your problem).
Yes indeed, the “System Reset” sequence clears the sequencer OS. You just have to reload it with sequencer OS v2.10
The issue with SoundQuest essentials 13 software is indeed strange. According to the service manual, page 28, several issues regarding system exclusive were fixed in OS 2.0, and the MIDI Spec was updated accordingly. If your SoundQuest version was published before OS 2.0 (very unlikely) perharps it is the reason your VFXsd reject SYSEX.
Anyway, A simple method to check is to try the following:
Set MIDI-OX ready to receive SYSEX data. Connect only VFX-sd OUT MIDI cable to computer.
Click the Sound button, then double click the Cart button to select ROM sounds bank (Cart button should be blinking).
Select any ROM sound and press System/Storage button, then MIDI SYS-EX, then Programs, finally Current Program. This will send a ROM, “uncorrupted”, program
Connect MIDI cable from computer MIDI OUT to VFXsd MIDI IN. From MIDIOX, send the program patch to your VFXsd and store it to disk.
Reload the program patch to an INT sound bank location and compare it to the ROM original.
