emusonacid!

Please forgive me for the redundant questions in this thread. I'm very busy with work and short on time, so any help in this thread is appreciated.

1) Where did you guys read the E4 can only take a 128gb HD? I can't find the HD size limitation in the manual.

2) Will basically any IDE HD work? I might pick up a couple cheap 150gb IDE HDs, one for the Emu and one for backup. I think it'll downsize it to 128gb right? Guess you have to go over the 128gb size to get all of the space used once it downsizes.

3) I'm guessing the Emu-type format is proprietary and it can't be read by a PC unless you have special software. So when you format it to IDE, does that mean the proprietary Emu (Akai-like I guess) format isn't used anymore, and your programs/samples turn into files with file extensions? Which file extensions are there?

4) I've got some EIII CDs. I want to store these on my HD. Does this mean that I'll have to load the banks into the E4XT Ultra, and save it to the HD... and when I save it to the HD, it'll save it in EOS/E4 format instead of EIII format? (I'm guessing it saves with the file extensions if I'm using an IDE/FAT32 HD?)

5) I've also got some Akai CDs and other stuff that the E4 can read. When I load some of this stuff into the sampler, can I save/convert it to E4 format and leave it on the HD? Or can you actually store it as the original Akai/whatever format?

6) Can you only save stuff as banks, or can you save single programs? Is it the same for loading too?

7) Will I have to do all of this on the sampler itself, or is there some software for building my own banks on a HD?

8) Do I need any additional hardware to install the IDE drive?

I'd like to be able to boot into Windows and make my banks there if it's easy enough.

HSL wrote:
2) Will basically any IDE HD work? I might pick up a couple cheap 150gb IDE HDs, one for the Emu and one for backup. I think it'll downsize it to 128gb right? Guess you have to go over the 128gb size to get all of the space used once it downsizes.

Careful you choose a low power drive, because any old drive could eventually kill the transformer in the sampler.
I have just had the misfortune of my emu psu failing and the repair bill was £125, so take care that the cheaper option doesn't end up costing you in the long run.
I'm using the platinum, it has all options fitted (the e4xt is not too different) and as such it is very important the transformer is not over burdened if you want it to last.
When my psu went it was just one of those things, nothing to do with my drive being power hungry, but I bet it would have gone a lot sooner if I had just chucked a cheap drive in there, also you need to ask yourself how important your data is because a "pulled" drive has more chance of failing.

I want to point out that the ultra is a great machine, but is soooo deep. You could spend years playing with the cords section. It really is like a modular synth, and the more you play with it the more your imagination is sparked by the sound design tools you have under the bonnet.
So be warned that you will have a long learning curve, but you can use it as a rompler for now, however I can't stress enough it can go way beyond playing cd rom banks.
Anyway WELCOME

1) Where did you guys read the E4 can only take a 128gb HD? I can't find the HD size limitation in the manual.

It´s limited by the Fat Sytem and has nothing to do with the E-Mu Sampler.

2) Will basically any IDE HD work? I might pick up a couple cheap 150gb IDE HDs, one for the Emu and one for backup. I think it'll downsize it to 128gb right? Guess you have to go over the 128gb size to get all of the space used once it downsizes.

If you want you can build there TeraByte HDs .....but it make no sence because the Fat32 is limited.

3) I'm guessing the Emu-type format is proprietary and it can't be read by a PC unless you have special software. So when you format it to IDE, does that mean the proprietary Emu (Akai-like I guess) format isn't used anymore, and your programs/samples turn into files with file extensions? Which file extensions are there?

You can see it , but its not realy interested . The most interested is that you can read and upload Wave files.

4) I've got some EIII CDs. I want to store these on my HD. Does this mean that I'll have to load the banks into the E4XT Ultra, and save it to the HD... and when I save it to the HD, it'll save it in EOS/E4 format instead of EIII format? (I'm guessing it saves with the file extensions if I'm using an IDE/FAT32 HD?)

You can also use the "Backup" Funktion in the Disk Menu , in the Menu you have also the Choise the say on wich Bank Nummber he should copy the bank from the CD equvalent to the Hard Disk. 1=1 or 1at 22 or 1 = next free place and so on and so on.

5) I've also got some Akai CDs and other stuff that the E4 can read. When I load some of this stuff into the sampler, can I save/convert it to E4 format and leave it on the HD? Or can you actually store it as the original Akai/whatever format?

The EOS convert this to his own format.

6) Can you only save stuff as banks, or can you save single programs? Is it the same for loading too?

Yes , everythings can be saved "AS " a Bank. Bank,Presets, FX , Multisetup , Sequenser etc blala.
Attention ! If you want to "AD" one of this "Bank-Files" in your already loaded Bank you have to " Merge" them.

7) Will I have to do all of this on the sampler itself, or is there some software for building my own banks on a HD?

Sound Diver is a good choice for Renaming , or a ASCI Keyboard with the Short _Cuts can help you to organize your Banks/ HD

8) Do I need any additional hardware to install the IDE drive?

Only if you switch from 2,5 to 3,5 Drive, you need an Adapter Kit .

MFPhouse wrote:1) Where did you guys read the E4 can only take a 128gb HD? I can't find the HD size limitation in the manual.
It´s limited by the Fat Sytem and has nothing to do with the E-Mu Sampler.

I'm reading that a FAT32 HD's limit is 2TB and that certain software is programmed (Windows 98 for example) to only recognize 128gb. Maybe the EOS software has that limitation.

2) Will basically any IDE HD work? I might pick up a couple cheap 150gb IDE HDs, one for the Emu and one for backup. I think it'll downsize it to 128gb right? Guess you have to go over the 128gb size to get all of the space used once it downsizes.
If you want you can build there TeraByte HDs .....but it make no sence because the Fat32 is limited.

Will I need a 2.5 laptop hard drive instead of the bigger one? To save power.

3) I'm guessing the Emu-type format is proprietary and it can't be read by a PC unless you have special software. So when you format it to IDE, does that mean the proprietary Emu (Akai-like I guess) format isn't used anymore, and your programs/samples turn into files with file extensions? Which file extensions are there?
You can see it , but its not realy interested . The most interested is that you can read and upload Wave files.

Hmm... I guess I should just wait until I get my sampler to ask more questions.

8) Do I need any additional hardware to install the IDE drive?
Only if you switch from 2,5 to 3,5 Drive, you need an Adapter Kit .

Is the adapter that's already inside the machine a SCSI hard drive though? I thought there was this 'kit' that you got from Emu that had some adapter that you need. I guess I can just take a look when it gets here.

JAHFUNK wrote:

HSL wrote:Careful you choose a low power drive, because any old drive could eventually kill the transformer in the sampler.

Thanks for the welcome

Is there a general consensus on which HD is the best for the E4XT? I'll probably pick two of them up. One for the Emu and one as a backup.

I'm getting a friend to make me a power cable. Is really the only thing you have to do is take pins 1 2 3 and 4 and switch them to 4 3 2 and 1? I read here on this forum that the SCSI/IDE bridge was fried since he didn't connect the cable right. I hope I won't have that problem...

WD Scorpio WD1200BEVE 120GB IDE ATA hard drive seem to be a favourite with lots of users

Here is a brand new unused one on eBay at the momment for £45 inc postage http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Western-Digital-Scorpio-Blue-120-GB-WD1200BEVE-Hard-Drive-/270894723232?pt=UK_Computing_HardDrives_RL&hash=item3f129570a0#ht_500wt_689

All the info about drive installation is here http://www.emusonacid.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3733J

HSL wrote:
Will I need a 2.5 laptop hard drive instead of the bigger one? To save power.

No, but they are cheaper , faster and has lower noise

When installing an internal HD please check the power-cable. The lines of +5V and +12V of the connector on the mainboard are inverted.
You would fry your HD immediately when switching power on.
So be careful.

BTW: I'm using the WD1200BEVE too.