Post by mibrue on Mar 28, 2007 6:05:06 GMT
Hi All,
usually programs downloaded from the web (i.e. the famous and excellent Hollow Sun sounds) are using references to samples and multisamples stored on the harddisk, which forces the user to copy the volume, or at least the samples and multisamples folder, to HD. Otherwise the sounds cannot be played (missing sample / multisample message). In the worst case of an HD failure the Fusion won't be useable at all, which would be a nightmare for live performers like me.
I had a look into the program files and found that, for samples and multisamples, they all refer to a certain volume ID (open an *.afp file in a HEX editor and look for the string "oVulem" - the volume ID is the number in the 2nd byte behind this string). Having a closer look I noticed that the volume IDs are used as follows:
0 = ROM
2 = CF Card
3 = HD
I gave it a try and changed this volume ID in a single program from '3' to '2', inserted the CF card back into the Fusion, ran an additional verify (Samples, Multisample, Program), started the EDIT mode for the program and found that the program referred to the samples on the CF card now.
Since I had downloaded all Hollow Sun sounds and didn't want to edit them program by program I had to find a way to let my PC do this for me. Unfortunately I don't have a development environment to write my own applications, so I created an MS-Excel macro which does the job for me. It should work with all MS-Excel versions 97 or later. Please find the workbook attached.
NOTE:
PLEASE MAKE A BACKUP OF THE CONTENT OF YOUR CF CARD FIRST. ALTHOUGH I HAVE TESTED THE MACRO EXTENSIVELY IT MIGHT NOT WORK IN YOUR PC HARD- AND/OR SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENT !
What the macro doesn't do:
In the current version it doesn't change MIXES. My first focus was on PROGRAMS only.
It doesn't check whether the sample or multisample is available on the CF card. It's your job to make sure it is.
What the macro does:
When you open the workbook a message box will ask you whether you want to run the macro (Yes), stop the execution (No) - i.e. to check the code prior to running it (there are too many viruses) - or cancel, which will close the workbook.
If you want to view or edit the macro, please feel free to do so. Press Alt+F11 to start the VBA editor after clicking the (No) button as described above and have look into the code. Suggestions for improvement are always welcome.
Should you decide to run the macro, please make sure that the correct CF card, formatted on the Fusion and containing all your programs and samples / multisamples, is inserted into the card reader of your PC. The macro will show you a list with all removable media attached to your PC and will let you select the appropriate media.
After selecting the appropriate media form the list please click the OK button. The macro will check whether it can find a folder structure created by the Fusion on the CF card. If the correct structure is found it will start collecting all subfolders in the PROGRAMS folder and check all programs in the folders whether their volume ID have to be modified to point to the CF card instead of the HD. In case that volume ID '3' is found in the program file, it will be changed to volume ID '2'.
Furthermore the macro will output a row into the "Report" worksheet for each program checked indicating the folder name, the progarm name, the previous volume and the new volume. You will find one row for every PART used in the program.
During execution of the macro it will display the name of the program folder currently processed in the status line (lower left corner of your MS-Excel screen).
NOTE 1:
The macro updates programs stored in a subfolder of the PROGRAMS folder only. Programs created by yourself must be stored in the USER subfolder.
NOTE 2:
Please DO NOT copy the updated programs from the CF card to the Fusion's harddisk. Remember that all programs are referring to your CF card now and copying the volume back to your harddisk will replace all programs on the HD. You won't be able to play any program referring to a sample / multisample stored on the CF card as long as the CF card is not inserted to the Fusion ! I stronlgy recommend not to use cross media references (programs stored on the CF card should refer to samples / multisamples stored on the CF card - programs stored on the harddisk should refer to samples / multisamples stored on the harddisk) !
Should the macro not work for you, please give me a short note. I plan to update it with other useful functionalities like updating MIXES as well, if that makes sense and I can find out how that works.
Please find the MS-Excel 97 workbook here:
www.marionniemietz.de/download/Switch%20Fusion%20Programs%20to%20CF%20Card%20XL97.xls
SPECIAL THANKS to HOLLOW SUN who allowed me to share this knowledge with you and confirmed that I may update my private copy of their programs as described above.
BYE BYE from Hong Kong
MiBrue
usually programs downloaded from the web (i.e. the famous and excellent Hollow Sun sounds) are using references to samples and multisamples stored on the harddisk, which forces the user to copy the volume, or at least the samples and multisamples folder, to HD. Otherwise the sounds cannot be played (missing sample / multisample message). In the worst case of an HD failure the Fusion won't be useable at all, which would be a nightmare for live performers like me.
I had a look into the program files and found that, for samples and multisamples, they all refer to a certain volume ID (open an *.afp file in a HEX editor and look for the string "oVulem" - the volume ID is the number in the 2nd byte behind this string). Having a closer look I noticed that the volume IDs are used as follows:
0 = ROM
2 = CF Card
3 = HD
I gave it a try and changed this volume ID in a single program from '3' to '2', inserted the CF card back into the Fusion, ran an additional verify (Samples, Multisample, Program), started the EDIT mode for the program and found that the program referred to the samples on the CF card now.
Since I had downloaded all Hollow Sun sounds and didn't want to edit them program by program I had to find a way to let my PC do this for me. Unfortunately I don't have a development environment to write my own applications, so I created an MS-Excel macro which does the job for me. It should work with all MS-Excel versions 97 or later. Please find the workbook attached.
NOTE:
PLEASE MAKE A BACKUP OF THE CONTENT OF YOUR CF CARD FIRST. ALTHOUGH I HAVE TESTED THE MACRO EXTENSIVELY IT MIGHT NOT WORK IN YOUR PC HARD- AND/OR SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENT !
What the macro doesn't do:
In the current version it doesn't change MIXES. My first focus was on PROGRAMS only.
It doesn't check whether the sample or multisample is available on the CF card. It's your job to make sure it is.
What the macro does:
When you open the workbook a message box will ask you whether you want to run the macro (Yes), stop the execution (No) - i.e. to check the code prior to running it (there are too many viruses) - or cancel, which will close the workbook.
If you want to view or edit the macro, please feel free to do so. Press Alt+F11 to start the VBA editor after clicking the (No) button as described above and have look into the code. Suggestions for improvement are always welcome.
Should you decide to run the macro, please make sure that the correct CF card, formatted on the Fusion and containing all your programs and samples / multisamples, is inserted into the card reader of your PC. The macro will show you a list with all removable media attached to your PC and will let you select the appropriate media.
After selecting the appropriate media form the list please click the OK button. The macro will check whether it can find a folder structure created by the Fusion on the CF card. If the correct structure is found it will start collecting all subfolders in the PROGRAMS folder and check all programs in the folders whether their volume ID have to be modified to point to the CF card instead of the HD. In case that volume ID '3' is found in the program file, it will be changed to volume ID '2'.
Furthermore the macro will output a row into the "Report" worksheet for each program checked indicating the folder name, the progarm name, the previous volume and the new volume. You will find one row for every PART used in the program.
During execution of the macro it will display the name of the program folder currently processed in the status line (lower left corner of your MS-Excel screen).
NOTE 1:
The macro updates programs stored in a subfolder of the PROGRAMS folder only. Programs created by yourself must be stored in the USER subfolder.
NOTE 2:
Please DO NOT copy the updated programs from the CF card to the Fusion's harddisk. Remember that all programs are referring to your CF card now and copying the volume back to your harddisk will replace all programs on the HD. You won't be able to play any program referring to a sample / multisample stored on the CF card as long as the CF card is not inserted to the Fusion ! I stronlgy recommend not to use cross media references (programs stored on the CF card should refer to samples / multisamples stored on the CF card - programs stored on the harddisk should refer to samples / multisamples stored on the harddisk) !
Should the macro not work for you, please give me a short note. I plan to update it with other useful functionalities like updating MIXES as well, if that makes sense and I can find out how that works.
Please find the MS-Excel 97 workbook here:
www.marionniemietz.de/download/Switch%20Fusion%20Programs%20to%20CF%20Card%20XL97.xls
SPECIAL THANKS to HOLLOW SUN who allowed me to share this knowledge with you and confirmed that I may update my private copy of their programs as described above.
BYE BYE from Hong Kong
MiBrue
