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Viewing 1 to (13 Total) KN5000 discs |
Total Posts: 6
Joined: September 27, 2015
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Hello
Being new to this forum and to keyboards I would appreciate help in how to copy direct play discs. These discs I obtained with a Kn5000 and only play in direct play mode and do not load otherwise. I want to make copies of the discs just in case they break down but just cannot copy them on any computer new or old.
Thanks in anticipation for any ideas
Delboy
sorry just noticed this should have gone on the Kn5000 section ( new to this! ) But the disc work on my 6500 so hopefully will not matter ?
Posted on September 27, 2015 at 10:21 PM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: KN5000 discs
Hi Delboy,
Don't concern about the location of the post. I can move posts if I need to but it is relevant here anyway so I'll leave it in place.
I'm surprised that you can't copy the disk. However, you should be able to copy the files from it onto your computer and then copy them to a blank disk that you have formatted in your keyboard.
Also, you should be able to Load the files into your sequencer. When Loading, choose SMF instead of Technics and then they should Load into your sequencer. From there, you can Save them as a Technics Song if you wish. On a new disk if you wish.
Let me know how you get on and if you're still having problems I'll help more.
Best wishes,
Mike
Posted on September 28, 2015 at 9:50 PM
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Total Posts: 6
Joined: September 27, 2015
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Re: KN5000 discs
HI Mike
Thanks for the reply. When I put the disc into my laptop ( windows 8 ) or old lap tops with a different OS it always says no files on disc. My son in law tried and failed and he is a computer whiz. I tried loading the discs into both the 5000 and 6500 in all different formats and into the sequencer but again No files found on disc. I am Really puzzled. I even tried with a old Amiga 1500 ! but still no joy. My old WS2 copies its discs both on keyboard and computers so I think the laptops are OK. On the plus side they work really well in direct play. I did get the discs from a pro player along with the keyboard so maybe they were special to him? I will try again on the kn5000 and let you know. On another note ( sorry for the pun ) love the site, wish I had found it ages ago would have saved me a lot of agro.
Regards
Delboy
P.S Almost bought a tyros one but after trying it found the voices very thin compared to the 6500. So now staying with my Technics for the foreseeable future.
Posted on September 28, 2015 at 11:05 PM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: KN5000 discs
The disk situation is going to take a bit of figuring out, there could be any number of factors. I'm guessing that they are DD disks which can be a problem for many computers, even older ones. I have a Freecom USB disk drive that copes with them well but I went through many different drives that would see nothing until I found this one.
John knows far more than me about this so I'll ask him for some input. I can't believe that there is anything very unusual about the disks, we're just missing something I think.
Posted on September 28, 2015 at 11:29 PM
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Total Posts: 6
Joined: September 27, 2015
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Re: KN5000 discs
Thanks for your help. You are right in that the discs are 3.5 DS DD 1.0 Mb . I would add they do not seem to be commercial discs, maybe home done but really well done.in that they are not styles but actual complete songs and came with complete score for piano for each song. Improves my timing no end!
Once again thank you for your help
Best regards
Delboy
Posted on September 29, 2015 at 12:00 AM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: KN5000 discs
Yes this is undoubtedly because they are DD disks. Versions of Windows after Windows 98 will not see the disks properly. Some versions of XP will. This is probably due to the drives that are in the PCs more than anything else. I seem to have found gold dust with the Freecom disk drive because it sees them etc no problem but I also keep a Windows 98 and Windows XP laptop here to cover any eventuality.
It's well worth getting an old PC or laptop just for doing this sort of thing, they cost peanuts and are a 'useful accessory' to your keyboard with no compatibility issues. Old machines are slow but I keep my installation to the absolute minimum, no need for Microsoft Office or anything like that!
However, the keyboard should see the files and load them into the sequencer if you follow the correct procedure because they are just MIDI files or possibly Technics files. Take a close look in the manual and make sure that you don't miss a step. Once loaded into the sequencer you should then be able to save them onto a formatted disk in Technics format.
John and I have discussed the above. We'll be more than happy to take a look at a disk and then let you know the procedure if we don't get a result in this thread. If you trust one in the post!
Posted on September 29, 2015 at 12:26 AM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: KN5000 discs
I've added links to the floppy drive that I use at the top of this page. Several Members have also had success with it. I can't guarantee of course but it works for me.
Disclosure - the Amazon adverts I've posted above earn a small percentage of proceeds that goes to the running costs of the website. About a dollar per purchase (77p in UK).
But try out on your keyboard first as per the instructions in the manual of how to load MIDIs into the sequencer.
Best wishes,
Mike
Posted on September 29, 2015 at 1:22 AM
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Total Posts: 6
Joined: September 27, 2015
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Re: KN5000 discs
Hi Mike
Thank you for all your help, lots of things to try. I will try to read the manual again but not very technical with electronics, find it can be confusing ( age I suppose )
However asking around I have found an old laptop with Windows 98 installed and I can get it for a song ( wish I could sing !! ) so I will pick that up as well to hedge my bets. Once problem cracked I will be much happier with back up discs. When I have duplicated discs I will send you one to try and if you like it you could use it on the site ( I can also email copy of the piano sheet music for budding players ) if you want. Thanks for all your efforts and so impressed I am going for VIP membership ( only a year at a time as I might pop off, who knows )
Will let you know how I get on and apologise now for any silly questions I may ask in the future and hope I do not drive you insane!
Very best regards
Delboy
Posted on September 29, 2015 at 11:52 AM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: KN5000 discs
Hi Delboy,
No problem  I'm not always so quick to answer as I work full time but I'm on annual leave today lucky me!
That laptop sounds like a great idea. Make sure it has a floppy drive, most old ones do though. We'll be delighted to try the disks.
The section you want in the manual starts at Page 111 and is one of the easier sections.
Here are a couple of interesting posts for you:
This one is about age 
http://technicskn7000.com/technics-kn7000-blog/very-good-year/...
And something about GEM keyboards over on the WSA1 Website:
http://wsa1.technicskeyboards.com/forum/general-music-gem-s2r-vs-te...
Between John and I we have a wide selection of Technics keyboards, we need them to do experiments and check compatibility between the instruments, so we can usually help with most things once we've done some research:
KN7000 x 2
KN6500
KN5000 with hard drive
KN3000 x 2
KN2000
KN1000
KN901
KN800
AX7
WSA1 x 3
EX30
And some statistics as of today:
Websites launched 2nd Feb 2014
2814 Members
30,0000 visitors per month
Over half a million visitors to date
100,000 page views per month
Over a million page views to date
There are no silly questions
Best wishes,
Mike
Posted on September 29, 2015 at 1:41 PM
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Total Posts: 6
Joined: September 27, 2015
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Re: KN5000 discs
Hi Mike
Tried loading the discs again with no joy even with SMF ( says no files found ) Also tried with windows 98 still no joy. However I went through all the discs and found one marked up as DOC . On investigation on web it appears it may be Yamaha which is registered to them. Probably why I am having no joy, as on the web it appears some owners of Yamaha keyboards are in the same situation. I am puzzled though if they are Yamaha doc discs how comes the Kn6500 and 5000 play them on direct play only and not load them as it must know there are files on the disc. ( software is a nightmare ! ) my son in law reckons that if we connect the 5000 direct to the computer it might work but I don't hold up much hope.
One another note is it worth asking on this site if anyone has a Kn1000 disc drive they no longer require. My son in law needs one.
Thanks for all your help
Derek
Posted on October 5, 2015 at 11:44 AM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: KN5000 discs
Hi Derek,
Yes these must be Yamaha Disk Orchestra Collection (DOC) disks. They have copy protection. Later Technics keyboards can play them. They essentially contain standard midi files but the disk itself has copy protection.
If you have access to a computer with DOS then you can copy them using the utilities here:
http://www.carolrpt.com/musicsoftware.htm...
I don't understand all the ins and outs of it maybe someone else can chime in
It should be possible to retrieve the actual midi files from them by someone with a lot of computer knowledge. I have one of these disks here and will take a look at what I can do when I get a spare moment (which will not be for some time!). If you could get at the midi files then you could convert them between formats 0 and 1 on a computer if necessary.
According to the manual the KN5000 can Load Format 1 but can't save it. I thought it should be able to save in Technics format though, we'll ask our Mr D to have a look at that on our KN5000 and report back when he gets chance.
Regarding the KN1000, does he have a disk drive that's not working or is he trying to install one for the first time? These disk drives are hard to come by and it is probably cheaper to buy a keyboard that has one installed and swap it! Or get it repaired if he already has a non-functioning one.
I have a KN1000 here with a disk drive and I'll be looking to see whether it's possible to install a USB drive in it sometime. I have so many different projects on though, I don't know when!
Best wishes,
Mike
Posted on October 5, 2015 at 6:29 PM
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Total Posts: 6
Joined: September 27, 2015
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Re: KN5000 discs
Hi Mike
Thanks for your help. My son in law is pretty clued up on computers so I will get him to sort it out if possible. If we have any luck we will let you know, might help someone else. Also if I can copy them I will let you have copies as there is some very good songs on them.
On the Kn1000 disc drive, the keyboard has one but it is broken ( new belt etc. did not help ) trying to convince him to add a 2000 to link with it as I always find it better to play with 2 keyboards. But my daughter might have issue with it !!!!
Glad to hear you are so busy, maybe you could win the lottery and then do it full time ( after the world cruise off course ! )
I do find it interesting that not many keyboards come up for sale in Kent. Would be nice to know of any local technics players so maybe organise a get together, or am I the only one in Kent.
Again thanks for being so helpful
Good luck with the lottery
Best regards
Derek
Posted on October 5, 2015 at 6:58 PM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: KN5000 discs
Derek,
My dear Mother gave me a T Shirt last Christmas. It says "You can never have too many keyboards!
Oh, wouldn't I love to win the lottery and put a team to run the websites whilst I spend all day creating the content and playing my keyboards!
I think there are probably hundreds of Technics players in your area but getting people together for anything these days is quite a feat. I've been toying with the idea of putting together a "Technics Roadshow" type of event, one up North and one down South. But we just don't have enough Members yet to make it feasible (2860 as of today but that's not a lot spread worldwide). Maybe in a couple of years time!
Dave Tutt might be willing to repair that drive for you. And he's not far away from you either:
http://www.tutt-technology.co.uk/...
I don't think he sleeps so he might be able to fit it in
You could also touch base with Lynn at Premier if you're looking for local comrades. She might know of some local clubs, as might Dave.
http://www.premierorgans.co.uk/...
Cheers,
Mike
Posted on October 5, 2015 at 7:16 PM
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