Alesis DATADISK Reference Manual
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Alesis DATADISK Reference Manual

Direct midi to disk/universal data storage
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ALESIS
Data Disk
Reference Manual
Get user manuals:
See SafeManuals.com

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Summary of Contents for Alesis DATADISK

  • Page 1 ALESIS Data Disk Reference Manual Get user manuals: See SafeManuals.com...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    INTERFACING DATADISK................10 DATADISK CONNECTED TO A SINGLE MIDI DEVICE..........10 HANDSHAKING .................... 10 DATADISK USED TO STORE HR-16/MMT-8 SEQUENCES........12 DATADISK IN A MORE COMPLEX MIDI SETUP ............13 SECTION 4 DATADISK FUNCTIONS .................. 14 THEORY OF OPERATION ..................14 SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE...................
  • Page 3 TO DISPLAY FILE INFORMATION................36 TO BACKUP A FILE ....................37 TO BACKUP AN ENTIRE DISK ................. 39 TO BACKUP AN ENTIRE DISK OVER MIDI TO ANOTHER DATADISK ....40 SECTION 6 REAL-TIME MIDI SEQUENCE PLAYBACK ............. 41 TO RECEIVE A MIDI SEQUENCE ..............41 TO SEND A MIDI SEQUENCE..............
  • Page 4 APPLICATIONS .................... 47 STORAGE OF DATADISK MIDI SETUP PER DISK ........48 TO STORE THE DATADISK................. 48 SECTION 7 APPENDEX....................... 49 TROUBLESHOOTING ....................49 PROBLEM SAVING TO DISK ............... 49 RECEIVING INSTRUMENT WON'T RECEIVE..........49 SPECIFICATIONS ..................... 51 BOOKS ON MIDI ....................... 52 VIDEOS ON MIDI ......................
  • Page 5 Get user manuals: See SafeManuals.com...
  • Page 6 Alesis DATADISK Direct MIDI to Disk/Universal Data Storage USERS MANUAL Get user manuals: See SafeManuals.com...

  • Page 7: Introduction

    INTRODUCTION Alesis DATADISK Direct MIDI to Disk /Universal Data Storage INTRODUCTION is a real-time MIDI data storage and retrieval unit DATADISK capable of storing 800K bytes of data onto a 3 1/2" floppy diskette. Unlike similar units which store data to a large RAM (Random Ac-...

  • Page 8: How To Use This Manual

    Actual display readouts of are also included. DATADISK SECTION 6 - REAL-TIME MIDI SEQUENCE PLAYBACK This section decribes the DataDisk's Real-Time MIDI sequence recording and playback functions. SECTION 7 - APPENDIX Section 6 provides a simple troubleshooting guide and operational...

  • Page 9: Datadisk Quick Start

    4) Press the button again to initiate formatting. DO/YES DATADISK will proceed to format the disk and will tell you what its doing. 5) When formatting is complete, the display will return to "FORMAT DISK?" once again. You can now begin a Receive operation by pressing the button.

  • Page 10: Sending A Single Stored File

    3) At the end of the data transmission, the will DATADISK ask if the file is complete. Send more data or press the button to store all of the data received into one file. SENDING A SINGLE STORED FILE 1) Press the button.

  • Page 11: Description Of Controls

    MIDI data files as long as the total size of file data does not exceed a maximum of 800K. LCD DISPLAY The LCD Display shows the current operating status and DATADISK allows you to view files stored on the diskette. The display features 2 lines of up to 16 characters each. SCROLL...

  • Page 12: Backup

    "Backing Up" the diskette. DO/YES button is used to initiate all operations of the DO/YES DATADISK , and to select any choices which might appear in the display. The button is actually a fail safe, giving the user a final choice DO/YES to either initiate or abort any previously selected operation.

  • Page 13: Backpanel

    SECTION 2 BACKPANEL MIDI IN jack is used to receive MIDI data from a sequencer, MIDI IN sampler, synthesizer, or effects processor for storage on diskette. MIDI OUT jack is used to send MIDI file data to a sequencer, MIDI OUT synthesizer, or sampler.

  • Page 14: Datadisk Front And Back Panel

    DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS FIGURE 1 DATADISK FRONT AND BACK PANEL Get user manuals: See SafeManuals.com...

  • Page 15: Interfacing Datadisk

    SECTION 3 SECTION 3 INTERFACING DATADISK DATADISK CONNECTED TO A SINGLE MIDI DEVICE Set-up of the is simplicity itself. Simply connect the MIDI DATADISK Out of the synthesizer, sequencer, effects processor, or other MIDI device that is to send system exclusive data, to the MIDI In of .
  • Page 16 INTERFACING DATADISK FIGURE 2 A/B WITH A SINGLE MIDI DEVICE DATADISK A. WITH HANDSHAKING B. WITHOUT HANDSHAKING Get user manuals: See SafeManuals.com...
  • Page 17 SECTION 3 FIGURE A. WITH HANDSHAKING Alesis MMT-8 sequencer, synthesizer, sampler, or other MIDI device MIDI OUT MIDI IN MIDI IN MIDI OUT DATADISK FIGURE B. WITHOUT HANDSHAKING Alesis MMT-8 sequencer, synthesizer, sampler, or other MIDI device MIDI IN MIDI OUT...

  • Page 18: Datadisk Used To Store Hr-16/Mmt-8 Sequences

    INTERFACING DATADISK DATADISK USED TO STORE HR-16/HR-16:B, MMT-8 SEQUENCES In the setup shown below, sends System Exclusive data DATADISK to the HR-16, which has been set to echo System Exclusive information received at its MIDI Input and send it back out of its MIDI Output (see HR-16 manual for specific instructions).

  • Page 19: Datadisk In A More Complex Midi Setup

    SECTION 3 DATADISK IN A MORE COMPLEX MIDI SETUP If you are using with a number of other MIDI devices, DATADISK you may wish to use a programmable MIDI patcher to route their MIDI inputs and outputs to MIDI input and output. This...

  • Page 20: Datadisk Functions

    DATADISK FUNCTIONS SECTION 4 DATADISK FUNCTIONS THEORY OF OPERATION SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE is able to work because the data is stored in the form of DATADISK System Exclusive (or sysex) files. System Exclusive is the unique way that each manufacturer identifies its own particular data. This allows data from one manufacturers equipment not to be mistaken for another manufacturers when it is sent and stored.

  • Page 21: Software Functions

    SECTION 4 If the delay between messages is more than 1 second, DATADISK will store the next set of sysex messages in a new file. This is par- ticularly advantageous if you are saving an entire MIDI equipment system, where you would first send out your...

  • Page 22: Receive Midi Data Function

    DATADISK FUNCTIONS RECEIVE MIDI DATA FUNCTION The RECEIVE MIDI Data Function is used to store MIDI system ex- clusive data received from a synthesizer, sequencer, or effects processor to a floppy disk inside the . There are two DATADISK pages to this function which are:...

  • Page 23: Delete File From Disk Function

    PLEASE NOTE: — As an added safety feature, will ask "ARE YOU DATADISK SURE?" before erasing any file from the disk, allowing you to change your mind if necessary by pressing any other function button. CAUTION!!! Once you delete a file it is lost forever!

  • Page 24: Backup All Files

    DATADISK FUNCTIONS BACKUP ALL FILES This page makes a Backup copy of an entire disk. During the Backup process, will prompt the user when to insert DATADISK either the original or Backup disk, and will indicate when the Backup is complete.

  • Page 25: Disk Info Function

    SOFTWARE VERSION A third page shows the software version currently in use. DATADISK MIDI FUNCTIONS When receiving data for storage, is not particular which DATADISK MIDI channel is used. Therefore, only two MIDI pages are re- quired.

  • Page 26: Rcv Program Change

    DATADISK FUNCTIONS RCV PROGRAM CHANGE Sometimes it is desirable to have a file send initiated during a se- quence or performance to change a program or sample. Even though will receive MIDI system exclusive data on any DATADISK channel, a single channel must be selected to receive a MIDI pro- gram change command.

  • Page 27: Disk Status And Info Messages

    DO/YES DISK STATUS AND INFO MESSAGES is an intelligent device and its display will either prompt DATADISK the user to make decisions, or describe the current disk status. The LCD will also display a variety of status and info messages telling the user why a particular function cannot be initiated.

  • Page 28: Disk Write Protected

    DATADISK FUNCTIONS DISK WRITE PROTECTED 3 1/2" disks have the ability to be write protected so that any data is not accidentally erased. This is accomplished by setting the tab on the lower right hand corner of the disk (when it is turned over) to the down position so that the window is open.

  • Page 29: Duplicate File Name

    SECTION 4 DUPLICATE FILE NAME This display occurs if a name is attempted to be given to a file that is the same as the name of another file. DUPLICATE FILE NAME MAXIMUM NUMBER OF FILES This display occurs if there are 53 files already stored on the disk. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF FILES NOT ENOUGH DISK...
  • Page 30 DATADISK FUNCTIONS REPLACE FILE WITH SAME NAME? Get user manuals: See SafeManuals.com...

  • Page 31: Target Unit Not Responding

    TARGET UNIT NOT RESPONDING PLEASE NOTE: There are safeguards to prevent against tricking by swapping disks before initiating an operation. For DATADISK example: 1) With disk A in the drive, press the button. SEND 2) Eject disk A: insert disk B.

  • Page 32: Operation

    SECTION 5 OPERATION is easy to operate. First, the desired function is selected DATADISK by pressing the appropriate function button; then, if necessary, the desired page is selected by pressing the same function button again. A file or parameter is then selected by pressing the SCROLL buttons.

  • Page 33: To Receive A File

    ** TRACK # XX The display will read from track 79 to track 00. XX is the current track being formatted. After has formatted all 80 tracks, the display DATADISK will briefly change to: CREATING ** DIRECTORY ** and then will temporarily display:...

  • Page 34: To Receive Multiple Files

    Receive Multiple Files page. In this mode, is able to receive as many sysex DATADISK messages as desired (up to the limit of available disk space), and save them all into one disk file. To enter this function, do the fol-...

  • Page 35: To Request A Dump

    RECV MULT SYSEX: WAITING FOR DATA is now awaiting system exclusive information. DATADISK 2) Send a Sysex dump from the synthesizer, sequencer, effects processor, or other MIDI device. This may be called a "Bulk Dump", "File Transfer", or some other indi- cation that multiple files will be transmitted (check your manual for the correct name and procedure).

  • Page 36: Product Specific Dump Request

    REQUEST SAMPLE DUMP XX? XX is the sample number (may be called "Program Number") between 00 and 99 requested by DATADISK from the sampler connected to the MIDI input. 2) Select the correct sample number by using the SCROLL buttons.
  • Page 37 SECTION 6 5) Press the button to transmit a request. DO/YES transfer is handled as in the Receive MIDI data function. Get user manuals: See SafeManuals.com...

  • Page 38: To Rename A File

    REAL TIME MIDI SEQUENCING TO RENAME A FILE When a file is received, it is given a name and number in the order that it was received. For instance, the first file is named "File 01", the second "File 02", etc. A file can be renamed with a name up to 8 characters long using the Rename function.

  • Page 39: To Send A File

    DUPLICATE FILE NAME will then return to the beginning of the Rename DATADISK function. TO SEND A FILE 1) Press the button on the front panel. The display...

  • Page 40: To Send All Files

    After sending is complete, will return to the DATADISK start of the Send data function with the next file ready to be sent. 4) Exit the Send function by pressing another function but- ton.

  • Page 41: To Delete (Erase) A File From Disk

    SECTION 6 3) Press the button to send the files. While the file DO/YES is being sent, the display will read: SENDING: XXXXXX YYYYYY ZZZZZZZZ In this display, XXXXXX is an abbreviation of the manu- facturer's name of the device sending the data, YYYYYY is an abbreviation of the model name, and ZZZZZZZZ is the name of the file being sent.

  • Page 42: To Delete (Erase) All Files From Disk

    After the file has been erased, the display will read: FILE DELETED After deleting is complete, will return to the DATADISK start of the Delete function with the next file ready to be erased. 5) Exit the Delete function by pressing another function button.

  • Page 43: To Set Midi Echo

    SECTION 6 DELETE ALL FILES? 3) Press the button. The display will then read: DO/YES ARE YOU SURE? If the answer is no, press the another function button to exit the Delete function. 4) If the answer is yes, press the button.

  • Page 44: To Set Up A Midi Program Change

    REAL TIME MIDI SEQUENCING 3) Press another function button to exit the MIDI Echo func- tion. TO SET UP A MIDI PROGRAM CHANGE 1) Press the button on the front panel twice. The dis- MIDI play will read: RCV PROG CHANGE ON MIDI CH: XXX 2) Press the buttons to...

  • Page 45: To Backup A File

    3) Press the button. The display will then read: DO/YES XX DISK SWAPS REQUIRED. OK? XX is the number of times that the source (the disk cur- rently in ) and destination disks (the one that DATADISK Get user manuals: See SafeManuals.com...
  • Page 46 The display will DO/YES briefly read: Writing to the Backup Disk . . . After backup is complete, the following is temporarily displayed before returns to the start of the DATADISK Backup function. Get user manuals: See SafeManuals.com...
  • Page 47 SECTION 6 BACKUP COMPLETE 8) Backup another file or exit the Backup function by pressing another function button. 9) Check backup procedure by sending the backed-up file(s) to their appropriate destinations and checking the data. Get user manuals: See SafeManuals.com...

  • Page 48: To Backup An Entire Disk

    XX is the number of times that the source (the disk cur- rently in ) and destination disks (the one that DATADISK you will backup your file to) must be inserted and re- moved from the disk drive. 4) Follow steps 4 through 9 as in "To Backup A File".

  • Page 49: To Backup An Entire Disk Over Midi To Another Datadisk

    FILES TO MIDI? 2) Press the button. The display will then read: DO/YES IS DEST DATADISK IN RECV ONE? "DEST DATADISK" stands for Destination , or DATADISK that you're sending to. DATADISK 3) Press the button. The display will read:...

  • Page 50: Real-Time Midi Sequence Playback

    DataDisk can receive and play back entire sequences (as well as sysex data) in real time. All MIDI data received is time-stamped and can therefore be sent from the DataDisk with the same timing with which it was received (a MIDI tape recorder)! This allows the DataDisk to be used in several new ways.
  • Page 51 The MIDI Echo (MIDI Thru) function is ignored when in the Receive MIDI Sequence mode. b) When recording to a sequencer from the DataDisk, keep in mind that the incoming data is subject to the quantize resolution that the sequencer is currently set at.

  • Page 52: To Send A Midi Sequence

    REAL TIME MIDI SEQUENCING the DataDisk. If this is done, the sequencer will crash and most likely lose all of its data. MONITORING A SEQUENCE BEING SENT TO DATADISK MIDI THRU BOX TO SEND A MIDI SEQUENCE 1) Press the button.

  • Page 53: Syncing Datadisk To A Sequencer

    2) Controller #64 "sustain pedal" OFF (all 16 channels) 3) Note-offs for all playing notes (all 16 channels) NOTE: The DataDisk will not merge MIDI data being sent with data being received when the MIDI Echo function is enabled. MONITORING DATA BEING SENT FROM THE DATADISK TO ANOTHER...
  • Page 54 MIDI CLOCK received. b) DataDisk will assume that the start of the MIDI Sequence file is the start of the song, as far as Start, Continue, and Song Position Pointer commands are concerned.
  • Page 55 SECTION 6 in the DataDisk starting at bar 2, beat 1, then that point becomes the beginning of the sequence as far as DataDisk is concerned. When the file is played back from the DataDisk (synced to MIDI Clock), a Start...

  • Page 56: Applications

    REAL TIME MIDI SEQUENCING APPLICATIONS To record a MIDI sequence from the DataDisk to the Alesis MMT-8 MIDI Recorder for editing purposes: 1) Connect both units as shown: a) Place the MMT-8 into MIDI & INTERNAL b) The MMT-8's countdown should be set to 00, and length should be changed either to the highest number available or the known length of the sequence.

  • Page 57: Storage Of Datadisk Midi Setup Per Disk

    (ignore incoming MIDI clock), or 2) Set the DataDisk's MIDI clock filter to ON. NOTE: In either case MIDI echo on the DataDisk should be set to OFF. STORAGE OF DATADISK MIDI SETUP PER DISK It is possible to store the DataDisk MIDI parameters (MIDI Echo, MIDI Program Change Channel, MIDI Sync, and MIDI Filter) to disk.
  • Page 58 REAL TIME MIDI SEQUENCING b) If the DataDisk is powered-on with a disk that has no MIDI setup stored on it, all MIDI parameters will default to OFF. Get user manuals: See SafeManuals.com...

  • Page 59: Appendex

    (see Section 3)? Check the manual to be sure. 3) Make sure that System Exclusive is enabled. PROBLEM: The receiving instrument does not appear to receive data sent to it from DATADISK. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: 1) Make sure that the MIDI Out of...
  • Page 60 If in RECV ONE mode and a delay of more than 1/2 second occurs between individual sysex messages, the messages will be stored in separate files. (Please note that some DATADISK instruments send their bulk data dump as several individual sysex messages, as opposed to a single message. If an...

  • Page 61: Specifications

    SECTION 7 SPECIFICATIONS MEMORY IMPLEMENTATION Direct to disk; no RAM buffer. DATA STORAGE COMPATIBILITY Universal; Operates with virtually manufacturers products which provide MIDI System Exclusive. METHOD 3 1/2" Floppy Diskette Double-sided, double density MAXIMUM MEMORY PER DISK 800 Kilobytes MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DATA FILES 53 (total size of data cannot exceed disk size) FUNCTIONS SEND...

  • Page 62: Books On Midi

    Descubriendo MIDI by José Valenzuela; Alesis Publishing. A thorough overview of MIDI in Spanish, suitable for beginners and/or advanced users. VIDEOS ON MIDI The Basics Of MIDI featuring Craig Anderton with Steve Smythe; Alesis Publishing. An overview of the concepts and applications of MIDI interface. Available through...
  • Page 63 MIDI data at full speed and/or require time gaps of up to one minute between bytes. Although it is not possible to edit a sequence stored by the DataDisk, it is possible to have some control over the sending of a sequence. This...
  • Page 64 DataDisk through a sequencer and back into the DataDisk. If this is done, the sequencer will crash and most likely lose all of its data. Get user manuals:...
  • Page 65 SECTION 7 MONITORING A SEQUENCE BEING SENT TO DATADISK MIDI THRU BOX TO SEND A MIDI SEQUENCE Press the button. SEND Press one of the buttons until the desired sequence SCROLL is displayed. The display will read: SEND FILE MIDI Seqnce FILE ZZ ? FILE ZZ is the desired MIDI Sequence name.
  • Page 66 MIDI Echo set to ON. Midi Echo SYNCING DataDisk TO A SEQUENCER It is possible to have the DataDisk play along in sync with an external sequencer or drum machine. Press the button three times. The display will read:...
  • Page 67 MIDI clock, then all file data will be sent with the first MIDI CLOCK received. DataDisk will assume that the start of the MIDI Sequence file is the start of the song, as far as Start, Continue, and Song Position Pointer commands are concerned.
  • Page 68 (such as an MMT-8) in a MIDI loop (that is, sequencer MIDI output to DataDisk MIDI input and DataDisk MIDI output to Sequencer MIDI input as in figures 2A and 4 of the DataDisk user's manual), then either the MIDI Clock must be filtered from the DataDisk's output, or the sequencer should be set to not receive MIDI Clock.
  • Page 69 . This will eliminate any empty beats at the end of the sequence. Synchronizing the DataDisk to a Sequencer In a closed loop configuration (see page 13, fig. 4 of the DataDisk User's Guide), to prevent timing errors caused by MIDI clock returning to the sequencer, you must either:...
  • Page 70 DATADISK MIDI SETUP PER DISK It is possible to store the DataDisk MIDI parameters (MIDI Echo, MIDI Program Change Channel, MIDI Sync, and MIDI Filter) to disk. When a new disk is loaded, the MIDI setup will be automatically loaded as well.

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