AKAI FMX-008 Flash ROM new project

Hi,

I made 16MB FMX card.



I need to make second card and test all because it seems to be a bit strange how it works. I'll test all flash memory using samples memorization. When something will be wrong I'll hear it

Cheers
tOri

After some tests I must say that it can't work properly so I recommend standard 8MByte cards.

Cheerz
tOri

Hi tOri, this is my first post, just came across your project, very interested in trying this. I have a s3000xl, wondering would this work in this sampler.

Where would one purchase all the components/parts for this project, do you have a list?

I have already modded the sampler with a SCSI2SD card, serveral years ago, this would be a great addition to my sampler. Any help would be greatly appreciated

A video of the me installing it.
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O73blCKdgSU

Blog:
https://akais3000xl.blogspot.com/

Hi,

here is part list:

IC 1 74AC138D - 1/8 decoder (can be 74F138D or at last 74HCT138D - but I prefer faster F, ACT, AC series)

IC 2 Intel 28F016SA - FLASH
IC 3 Intel 28F016SA - FLASH
IC 4 Intel 28F016SA - FLASH
IC 5 Intel 28F016SA - FLASH

DIN 41612-96P (you need to cut it)

R1 10k
R2 10k
R3 1k8
R4 680R
R5 3k3
JP1 - 3-pin-header
Q1 BC327
Q2 DTC123ES
C1 0.1uF through C10 0.1uF (ten in total)

- all SMD elements are 0805 size

You can buy parts anywhere - it is simple device so parts are very common.
FLASH chips I bought in China (Aliexpress Seller - WOISN Store - https://www.aliexpress.com/store/911003030) - verified - all chips are in working condition - looks like new in reel tape (search part 28F060 in this store)
GERBER files are published on my www.

For sure - this clone obviously should work in S3000XL like in my S2000. These samplers are very similar (same PCB). Thanks for link to your pages. Interesting readings.

Good luck!

tOri

error correction

search 28F016 in store - not 28F060

tOri

Greetings tOri,

I recently discovered your project and had some pcb’s made. I just finished them and I wanted to thank you for your work and for making the files available! Kudos to you! Well done!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/nBgZAp5QhUr8B4gS7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9EWsXJuvGadACB4T8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9GkQxpUj5ZWiCpoNA

Hi buhl!

I'm happy with you Thanks for words of appreciation. This is my mission - make cool things free for all...
Btw:
If you are interested in - I have OS v2 binaries for S2000 on my page and short description how to replace old 1.5 EPROM. You are experienced so you can make this "hack" too.

You have EB16 - lucky you

Good luck!
Regards
tOri

Hi Tori! Excellent work here!

I would like to take it upon myself to convert this card to MPC2000/MPC2000XL.

I downloaded your gerbers and had a look. I don't use eagle, but Kicad and I intend to try to translate this to Kicad and share the full Kicad project + gerbers for free with everyone like you did. Kicad also enables anyone to get a deeper understanding of the PCB and opens up for further experimentation even for people that don't have access to Eagle.

Would you be open to discuss a bit regarding BoM and what needs to be done in order to get this to work in MPC2000/MPC2000XL? I am able to translate your gerbers to Kicad but it would help tremendously if you could share the eagle project with me so I don't have to redraw everything.

Of course your name will be on this also, I don't want to take anything away from your hard work here!

Hi,

I checked 16MWords Card project again and found some errors. Now it works well My S2000 has 32MB FlashROM now! All documentation was published on my www there -> http://reversing.pl/projekty/fmx016/fmx016.html

@oscardvine - thanks for good words. i'll send you a link to PM for some time.

Cheerz
tOri

t0ri, thanks for all your work and testing man.

Now we need to see you do a 128 !

Have you managed to find anyone that you can borrow a MPC 2000 / 2000XL from to work on this?

Hi,

Thank you @richie.

128 MB isn't possible on current hardware, so the card of this size won't be built. 16MB is the limit for one card. There aren't enough address lines, and memory bank switching isn't possible. The hardware architecture is closed, as are the firmware sources.

Unfortunately, this card won't fit the MPC due to its twice the size. It needs to be rebuilt differently, so that its length points in the opposite direction. The question also remains whether the MPC OS will support 8MW. The address lines are present, so there shouldn't be a hardware issue. Also, I'm not sure if a longer card pointing in the opposite direction will cover the EB16 slot.

Cheerz
tOri

P.S. I received confirmation that the 8MB card (short) also works fine in the MPC2000/XL, so you can use it

Hi,

It seems I'm mistaken and FLASH memory banking can be used, but only by manually switching the memory areas, e.g., 8MB, with a switch. The switch(es) could then be placed on the front or rear panel. Yes... That's how it's possible... I don't know how big will this device be but it is doable I think.

tOri

tOri wrote:Hi,

It seems I'm mistaken and FLASH memory banking can be used, but only by manually switching the memory areas, e.g., 8MB, with a switch. The switch(es) could then be placed on the front or rear panel. Yes... That's how it's possible... I don't know how big will this device be but it is doable I think.

tOri

I suppose an alternative would be to wire a toggle switch to the side of back, something like a DPDT to tell the card what bank to use.

By the way, with regards to the shorter one - Is this where someone modified your design to fit within the physical confines of the 2000/XL ?

Hi,

richie wrote:
I suppose an alternative would be to wire a toggle switch to the side of back, something like a DPDT to tell the card what bank to use.

By the way, with regards to the shorter one - Is this where someone modified your design to fit within the physical confines of the 2000/XL ?

Yea. Strictly manual switching and there's a need to use 28F032 (bigger - 2M) chips because otherwise they will take up too much space on new PCB.

I don't think that anyone made redesigned PCB.

Cheerz
tOri

Hi tOri, great work for making a new FMX clone!

As I'm new to the forum I cannot use private message to contact you. So I write here. I would like to make a small batch of flashROM cards to sell and I'd like to discuss some of the details with you. I've designed and have been selling the SRJV WiFi Expansion card and the FRAM multibank data card for Roland synths. You can read about those as well as other stuff on my blog https://ddzheng.cc/

My comments are as follow:
1) the flash Intel 28F016SA have been discontinued, so it's hard to procure from a trusted source. A better way to tackle this is by using newer production flash chips and combine with level shifting circuit.
2) フジクラ (Fujikura, a Japanese company) makes 60 position female right-angle DIN41612 connector and it's a standard catalog item. I'll try to contact their reps in China to see if there is a MOQ. I may also be able to custom order the connector from Chinese manufacturers.