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Post by bobtodd on Apr 2, 2017 15:51:20 GMT
Good afternoon.
This is my first thread here but used to own a Fusion 8 years ago and regret selling it especially as I have just found a ton of sounds on an old drive in the loft containing sounds by KPR etc. I have seen a Fusion for sale but has a lot of error codes related to EEPROM 0X02030001, RTC failed read 0X0203006, invalid serial number 0x01010013.
Could these be down to a low battery voltage? How easy is it to replace the battery, I did install the E3 RAM on my old Fusion and remember how awkward that was?
I also noted there were only sounds in the ROM banks and none in the RAM so I'm 99% sure it's the back up battery the needs replacing.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Bob
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Post by parametric on Apr 3, 2017 16:16:53 GMT
Hi Bob, and welcome to the forum . . . I don't think the battery replacement is that difficult, though you'll need to remove the board to turn it over to get at the solder-side. I've not yet had to replace the batteries in either of my Fusions, but I've been inside far enough to upgrade the RAM and do the SSD mod. You don't say where you are located, but this has just popped up on ebay: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262920302018?ul_noapp=trueThe price is about half what I paid for my 8HD. Some users have replaced the soldered-in battery with a suitable holder - so subsequent replacements are just slip -in . . . Not essential really, given the usual life of the battery, but just a tidy option while you have the Fusion open . . . ? I have most of Klaus' Banks too, and very fine they are IMO I guess the time is right that the batteries are starting to get low enough to cause the problems you describe. I'm supposing you are considering re-acquiring a Fusion? It is indeed a great board. I can tell you that the E3 modules have recently been re-manufactured by Brian Allan at www.sector101.co.uk/exm-e3.html and are now extremely affordable . . . There is also a procedure for fitting an SSD to replace the HDD, which I'm proud to say I devised several years ago - and my 8HD has been running with 120Gb of SSD ever since . . . Pretty much all the accumulated knowledge on the Fusion can be found amongst the members here or the other place promusicproducts.com/forum/phpBB2/index.php Most of us are members in both places There is an accumulated list of error codes that have appeared to members and been reported somewhere in here - along with possible reasons. This information was NOT well documented (or indeed documented at all) by Alesis - so the causes are very much "found information" IYSWIM . . . Similarly, the MIDI data format was never described, thus making it difficult to say how much of the Fusion can be controlled via midi . . . Anyhow, ask away and we'll help where we can . . parametric
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Post by bobtodd on Apr 3, 2017 18:18:24 GMT
Hi Parametric,
Thanks a lot for your reply. I am based in the UK in West Sussex by the sea! I appreciate the link to the Fusion for sale. I did send him an email asking a few questions and got swift replies, only trouble is it's pick up only and he's in Cornwall.
My timing, as usual is terrible! LOL. I looked on ebay for past sales and a few in great condition sold early this year.....oh well never mind. I will keep looking though. I went to look at the other one on ebay in Horsham. It was in great condition but had so many error codes, so I just left it at that. If I knew replacing the battery would sort out the error codes I would buy it but its a big risk to take.
Yeah saw the link on ebay for the sector 101 E3 modules. Don't know whether I should buy them before there all gone and just hope a Fusion comes my way.
I wish I'd never sold my old 6HD. I upgraded the RAM, had a 80GB hard Drive and a ton of purchased sound banks.
Just keep my fingers crossed and keep watching. One last thing is there a shutdown procedure on the Fusion or can you just turn it on/off? I know it doesn't like to be power cycled?
Thanks again.
Bob
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Post by Jesse on Apr 3, 2017 20:33:51 GMT
Alesis Fusion affectionately known as "The Beast"
ther is no shutdown procedure other than waiting a minute or two between turning it off and back on.
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Post by bobtodd on Apr 3, 2017 21:52:05 GMT
Hi Jesse
Thanks for letting me know. I thought that was the case but it's been a long time in between ownership and just assumed it had a shutdown procedure due to having a hard drive.
Kind regards
Bob
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Post by parametric on Apr 3, 2017 22:40:04 GMT
I agree with Jesse . . .
Its probably a good plan to let the HD come completely to rest BEFORE re-starting . . .
Which Fusion are you after - out of interest - ?
I'm primarily a Piano player - so the 8HD was my first purchase. The keybed is the Best weighted one I've played to date (aside from my real baby grand) . . . The 6HD is more synth action - as you know . . .
parametric
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Post by bobtodd on Apr 4, 2017 9:32:25 GMT
Im more inclined to go for the 6hd as I own a Yamaha MOXF8 for all my piano playing. Though to be honest I am quite desperate to get my hands on a Fusion again I would get the 8hd. All I ask is its in good condition and fully working. I would get tbe RAM from sector 101 and do the upgrade. I know its a long shot but is anyone on this forum selling their Fusion?
Thanks Bob
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Post by bobtodd on Apr 4, 2017 16:42:03 GMT
Forgot to ask earlier. Does the boot version have any bearing on the performance. When I went to look at a Fusion the other day, which had all the error codes, had a boot version of 1.00 but other fusions seem to have a boot version of 1.10. Any difference?
Thank you
Bob
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Post by parametric on Apr 5, 2017 2:35:03 GMT
Im more inclined to go for the 6hd as I own a Yamaha MOXF8 for all my piano playing. Though to be honest I am quite desperate to get my hands on a Fusion again I would get the 8hd. All I ask is its in good condition and fully working. I would get tbe RAM from sector 101 and do the upgrade. I know its a long shot but is anyone on this forum selling their Fusion? Thanks Bob I KNOW I already mentioned it . . . . www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262920302018?ul_noapp=true&clk_rvr_id=1195469673374&rmvSB=trueIts a steal at that price - It's a long drive for sure - but, - you'd be able to try it / Eat some Pasties / Have a Cream Tea . . . Make a day of it . . . . parametric I'd be really interested in a side by side comparison with the MOXF8 - (I have the MOXF6 - which is fine - but I'm a Piano Player - so the weighted action matters IYKWIM)
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Post by bobtodd on Apr 5, 2017 14:38:19 GMT
Yeah your right it is a steal, just wish it was a little closer. The MOXF8 key bed is pretty good. It's graded across the keyboard so the low end is heavier than the top end. I did try the Roland FA08 but didn't like that and I preferred the sounds of the Yamaha anyway. I have a 1GB card installed with loads of extra sound banks. Funny I have all these sounds at my disposal but I still want to get a Fusion again!
Do you know if there is a difference between boot versions on the Fusion. The one I looked at was 1.00 and my old Fusion was 1.10. My Fusion was the updated 80GB version so I assume its just different due to the early or later models?
Just a thought here but when I do get a Fusion, if I upgraded the hard drive to a SSD would this mean there would be no need for the RAM upgrade as everything should load instantly or am I missing something?
Bob
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Post by parametric on Apr 5, 2017 15:46:46 GMT
Hi Bob, I'm thinking that the boot version differences might be suggesting that you had an earlier OS (Prior to 1.24 - the final one). The E3 upgrade is definitely recommended for the reason that, with the extra 128Mb for EACH Processor, EVEN MORE programs are held there BEFORE it needs to pipe them from the HD. This can be advantageous in a gigging situation . . . . LESS recourse to the HD, when time is of the essence (IYSWIM) Sadly - there is little speed benefit with an SSD - largely due to the constraints of the Fusion's embedded IDE controller - that ably prevents the speed-hike we'd LIKE to see There ARE benefits to be had with the SSD though, in the area of NOISE (It's noiseless - thought the internal fan still operates) It's cooler running (especially beneficial for the 6HDs - that seem to report hot running - MORE) They consume less power (which is kinder to the PSU - which is good, as its generally considered that it wasn't designed with much capacity in hand) Blown PSUs are NOT uncommon - although there was a redesign with larger cooling fins to help this . . . The PSU is ONE of the parts that the Fusion shares with the Akai MPC5000 (which I believe has just gone legacy) so is still available parametric
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Post by bobtodd on Apr 5, 2017 18:21:22 GMT
Hi Parametric
Thanks for the info. I think the installation of a SSD is a necessity for the longevity of the Fusion. Is the installation easy?
Nice to know you can still get spares. I found a pitchbend/ mod wheel for the Fusion the other day in a draw! completely forgot I purchased a spare years ago.
Cheers
Bob
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Post by parametric on Apr 6, 2017 0:30:42 GMT
Yes Bob, It's pretty easy. I described it here: www.yamahaforums.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=7520 which is the forum I spend most of my time in . . . If you scroll down some . . . . There's a .pdf I made, detailing what I did - with pics and details. Some of the forum pics seem to have vanished ATM, but I know this has been a problem since a recent update - hopefully they will reappear . . . BE SURE you get a PATA SSD. They are not generally available in the UK. Most ALL you find will be SATA which won't work (Many have tried - unsuccessfully to date) ATB parametric
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Post by bobtodd on Apr 6, 2017 13:56:23 GMT
Hi parametric, Thanks for the heads up on the SSD drive. I must remember to get a PATA not a SATA, unless of course I'm getting a Indian takeaway!
Is there any other things I should know before purchase, voltage of drive, connector size/pins etc?
Cheers Bob
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Post by parametric on Apr 7, 2017 20:40:35 GMT
Not really Bob,
The drives are pretty much what they are . . . . Look at the details in the .pdf If its PATA, then voltages etc. will be correct
Remember the back side of the PATA SSD will look pretty much similar to the back side of the outgoing WD HDD . . .
If it doesn't have that row of IDE pins - then its NOT a PATA Drive. The little adaptor I specified takes care of the power for the SSD . . . .
Did you get the .pdf? The Yamahaforums are a bit messed up ATM due to upgrading issues . . .
If you send me a message with your email addy - I can send it to you . . . (Gearwheel dropdown/Member/send message)
parameric
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