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SX-PR1 an SY-FD3

Just purchased an SX-PR1 with a SY-FD3 floppy. I can only play one disk (a recording or copy). Sample disk and other disks I get an "ERR" message. HELP. Also, is it worth it to upgrade, if so, what do you recomend?

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SX-PR1 an SY-FD3

alwirtes

alwirtes
United States

Total Posts: 2
Joined: July 5, 2016

Just purchased an SX-PR1 with a SY-FD3 floppy. I can only play one disk (a recording or copy). Sample disk and other disks I get an "ERR" message. HELP. Also, is it worth it to upgrade, if so, what do you recomend?

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Posted on September 1, 2016 at 12:52 AM
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4 Replies

admin

admin
United Kingdom

Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014

Re: SX-PR1 an SY-FD3

The SX-PR1 is an amazing-looking instrument you must be really pleased with it! I remember seeing it at a show in Bath when it came out and being wowed by it.

I'm not certain of the exact workings of the SY-FD3 and would love to get my hands on one someday. The SY-FD3 supported several instruments and I have a feeling that it could be able to support several more. This is complete guesswork by me but I think it basically records midi signals, so might be suitable for all kinds of things.

I'm not aware of anything else that does a similar job other than the Tascam SX-1 (which would be ridiculous overkill and look even more ridiculous on top of your piano!).

As to upgrades - your options as I see it are:

1 - Those disks might have just deteriorated, it's fairly difficult to check them now and I'm not sure whether any PC disk drives would read them. You could try getting some 'new' floppy disks and see whether it will record. You need single sided double density disks (SSDD, or known as the 'usual' 720k floppies).
2 - You can probably replace the actual disk drive component of the digital disk recorder with another disk drive. You'll have to research a compatible model. Someone made a forum post to say they had replaced one in an SY-FD5 so I think it is feasible.
3 - I wonder if it might be possible to replace the disk drive component with a USB emulator. I haven't heard of that being done but I guess it should be feasible.

Probably the best upgrade you can add is getting a midi interface for your computer, you can then record and do all sorts of things using midi. Buying a second hand laptop to dedicate to this is not expensive these days either, if you don't want to move your main computer around.

Best wishes,
Mike

Posted on September 1, 2016 at 1:22 AM

admin

admin
United Kingdom

Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014

Re: SX-PR1 an SY-FD3

PS it's worth you reading this post about TECHNICS DIGITAL DISK RECORDER

Posted on September 1, 2016 at 1:25 AM

alwirtes

alwirtes
United States

Total Posts: 2
Joined: July 5, 2016

Re: SX-PR1 an SY-FD3

Thanks for the info. The disk player works, but only on 1 of the disks. The others may not be compatible with my drive. I would like to upgrade, and the midi route seems the best. I am not familiar with MIDI, can you suggest a model that will work with my unit?

thanks again for your help

Al
Florida

Posted on September 1, 2016 at 4:12 AM

admin

admin
United Kingdom

Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014

Re: SX-PR1 an SY-FD3

Hi Al,

I tried several cheap ones and they led me to think there was something wrong with my keyboard because I couldn't get things working.

Then I tried a Roland interface and I've never had a problem since - this one - CLICK HERE

It will work with any MIDI keyboard.

Note. I don't think that the PR1 is General MIDI compatible. I don't have a manual to be able to check. However, as it has midi sockets (I assume two sockets or three?) you'll be able to record and playback to your PC using the right software. If that's the case, you won't be able to play back MIDI files without editing them a bit but we'll help you with that if necessary. If you can find a logo somewhere on the instrument that says 'GM' then it is general midi compatible.

For software you could start off with Anvil Studio which is free.

Best wishes,
Mike

Posted on September 1, 2016 at 8:52 AM