Memory:
Core: 60K M32K or M64K
Bootload
Used for computer functions
External: Expandable (128K, 512K or 1024K) M128K,
M512K or M1024K
Real Time Performance Software (RTP)
Sequences
FM "sound" information (not dynamically assigned. There
are limits)
Poly RAM: expandable to 256 MB per bin (3 bins total)
PSM1M or PSM4M, MegaRAM 16, 32, 64 (same cards, more memory chips and different
ROMs)
Computer Bin:
Processor (2 cards)
Timing Card
Math Card
Core Memory
Interface Cards
Sampling:
ADX16 16 bit Mono to Disk (works in real time with SFM)
STM (Sample To Memory) Up to 100 KHz in mono or stereo
depending on configuration
FM:
D160 interface in computer bin
SS4 interface in FM bin - tells the computer # of voices,
etc.
SS1 Wavetables (Memory)
SS2 Oscillators
SS3 Modifiers
SS4 Interface
SS7 (old bins) Voice cards - shorter to allow for back
plane adapter
SS7X (new bins) Voice cards - regular length cards
SF1 Stereo Filter Card (analog filters, +/- 15 v supply,
etc.)
Voice cards are susceptible to heat malfunction due to analog
electronics. Make sure your fans are arranged as exhaust fans in
the bins and rear panels.
Poly:
D32X computer bin interface (bottom)
PSCI Poly bin interface
Poly is a synchronous system
The back plane in the Poly bin is slot dependent
The data bus is on the back plane
The serial chain is cabled
4 Modifier boards
PSF: Formatter - formats all information for communication
on data bus or serial chain. Thus a bad formatter can drag down the
whole bin (affect all cards)
PSAC: Amplitude computer - controls volume envelopes.
Each card can control up to 16 voices. Slot 15 is for voices 1 -
16, slot 14 is for voices 17-32
PSSRG: Sample rate generator - Clock for poly bin.
Supplies separate clock rates for the D/As for transposition of pre-recorded
samples. Located in slot 8
PSPA: Phase Accumulator - allows sample to be transposed
without losing characteristics (older systems were limited by maximum sampling
rate. So if you planned on playing a sample one octave higher, you
would need to sample at 25 KHz so that the 50 KHz limit would not be hit).
PSDAC: Digital to analog controller - controls up to 32
voices
PSV: Poly voice
DDV-3: Modified DtoD voice card to work in a Synclavier
with the newer lower specification Digital to Audio converter
PSADG: Analog to digital controller
STM: Stereo sampling module (Sample To Memory)
- Stereo up to 100 KHz to poly memory. 1 motherboard with 2 daughter
boards, capable of sampling at 50 KHz each unless you purchased a newer
system or upgraded to allow 100 KHz sampling.
Serial chain: PSF-PSADC-PSMC-PSDAC-PSF
poly system can support up to 32 meg in either
PSM1MB 1 MEG
PSM4MB 4 MEG
unless the system has an upgraded ----------- card, then you
can use MegaRAM. 256 MEG limitation per bin
When installing memory cards, install from right to left (empty
slot on left) with PS1MD cards next to PSMC
PSMC addresses memory from left to right (lowest # slot is lowest
# address) but reads serially from right to left
With the memory expansion bin, the bin is placed in serial chain
with PSMCs cabled in order. With all PSM4MB cards, it is not necessary
to have any memory in tower poly bin. 32 MB can be addressed from
a single PSMC in the expansion bin.
Test of memory:
MB by MB or given card configuration, card by card
Voice cards (modified DDV)
DDVs-3
PSF requires ROM updates PSM U211v2 to PSBMC U211v3 &
PSM U505v0 to PSBMC U505v1
Serial Chain:
PSF-PSADC-PSBMC-DDAC-PSF
With new system configurations with DDVs-3 etc., there is
an update to the PSSRGA to correct
jitter problems not noticeable with PSVs.
Voice allocation is achieved on back plane (not in the cabling
as in the FM bin)
1 PSV is 4 voices, left and right
Multichannel distribution
D32X (top connector) in computer bin
MT3 in multi bin
Every voice card (PSV, DDVs-3, SS7 OR SS7X) requires one Multichannel
input card (MT1)
For each MT3 and set of MT1s, there is one output card (MT2)
which provides 8 outputs
FM input is always (by convention) to the left of poly input.
No space is left between any of the cards - empty space is open of the
right of the MT2
5v and +/- 15v supplies are both on the back plane
There are two types of MT2
1) MT2 standard; average = -10 dBm output
2) MT2 (common) hot (the name is hand printed);
average = 0 dBm output
Keyboards:
All poly system have 25 slot computer bins. The SK2 card
(Keyboard interface) is in slot 23. The SK2 connects to the audio
connector panel. In older versions of software (Release N), the manuals
mention the ability to connect more than one keyboard to a Synclavier for
simultaneous use. You can still connect a Synclavier guitar and Keyboard
at the same time for simultaneous performances.
A 50 pin flat cable connects keyboard to audio connector panel
. This cable is identical to SCSI specification. The cable
is sleeved, not shielded due to the connectorís plastic manufacture.
Standard cables length is 22 ft. 50 ft is also available. The
SK2 can drive approximately 55 to 60 ft (the RS232 cable to terminal can
be run up to 300 feet. 50 or 22 ft cables are supplied with machines).
With a modified SK2 card, keyboard cable lengths up to 100 feet are possible.
M64k core memory card in computer bin has SK2 on it but is jumpered
off in present configuration
VK5 is interface in keyboard
There are 2 types of Mod/Pitch wheel assemblies
Old: wheels are separate from cover plate
New: wheels and cover plate are one piece
The new VK2 board will not work with old wheel assemblies
Some wheels are wired backwards (like mine was). Always install
the extention cable that comes with wheel assemblies.
It is possible to increase resolution of wheels by a simple engineering
modification.
Computer bin:
3 type of processors
1)A Not found
2)B Old Synclavier II
3)C (Fast processor) all DtoD, Poly and some Synclavier
IIs
Supposedly some DtoD have a Main model D and a slave model
C processor
4)D Last release; all 3200, 6400, 9600, PostPro &
PostProSD
Certain code written for the C processor will not work in a B
processor. If you have an -XPL catalog on your W0:, you will
notice some routines separated for different processors
Model B:
D1 (instruction sequencer) slot #14 and 14 in 25 slot
bin
D300 (registers)
Model C:
FPRM (registers)
FPSM (sequencer)
Support cards:
MFC: multifunction card
D100/D100A: floppy controller
M32K: core memory
M64k core memory with clock function
D40Q: 4 RS232 ports and clock function (crystal) takes
the place of MFC
The processor runs on a D3 clock which can be generated four
ways
1) D100 + MFC
2) D100A + MFC
3) D100A + D40Q
4) M64K + D40Q
Floppies:
8" Single density D100 ("maxi", 20 MHz crystal, 26 pin
connector)
5 1/4" Single density D100 ("mini", 10 MHz crystal, 26
pin connector)
5 1/4" Double density D100 ("mini", post 1982, 26 pin connector)
5 1/4" High density D100A (post 1983, 34 pin connector)
The D100A can use a 5 1/4" Double Density as a read only device
in F1
The load button on F0: activates firmware on MFC or D40Q "maxi"
or "mini" ROM's (4) or boot ROM (1) which is hardwired
When a disk drive is upgraded in a system with the MFC, the ROMs
must also be upgraded
The Boot ROM on the D40Q is hardwired and will only work with
the 5 1/4" High Density floppy drives (D100A interface)
Core memory:
The computer requires 60k of core memory obtained from 2 M32Ks
or 1 M64k. In old systems running software releases before "R" only
need 56K of core memory in the form of 7 M8Ks (like the original Synclavier
II).
The Model B processor can run with either M8Ks or M32Ks
There are OLD/NEW jumpers to select between OLD (Model B) and NEW (Model
C). M64ks will only with the Model C processor.
The computer uses the first 60k of core memory The last
4k is loaded with the Boot ROMs
Math Card:
D4567 Multiply/Divide.
Performs real time math (chorusing etc.)
External memory:
M128K
M512K
M1024K (rare cards)
External memory is loaded with Real Time Package, sequences,
etc.
M128Ks are addressed with 3 switches on a DIP package using
negative logic
up = ON
0 = up, up, up
1 = down, up, up
2 = up, down, up
7 = down, down, down
M512ks have 5 switches on a DIP package and must start addressing
at multiples of 512 (0, 512, 1024, etc.) If M128K and M512K cards
are both used, 4 M128Ks may be placed before M512K (addressed as 2) or
placed after M512K cards, but with addresses not exceeding 7. Thus
with 2 M512K cards, M128K cards must be addressed in multiples of 4 before
M512Ks. You can use 4 (or more, if you have room) M512K cards for
larger sequences. (But the software does not address past a certain
point so it is kind of pointless. Although the PowerPC software *supposedly*
can "see" beyond this limitation (yeah right!!!)
D16 timer:
Does external timing (MIDI, SMPTE, etc.) The D16 was designed
with the fast processor (Model C)
MI70: slot #3 & 4
MIOI interface in computer bin works in conjunction with MU70
UART cart in MIDI panel. Two MI70s may be in one system (slots 3+4
in 25 slot bin) Each provides a 1x4 MIDI matrix. Currently,
two MI70 cards will yield a 1x8 matrix with the second IN being a THRU.
These cards must be addresses as 0 or 1 (controlled by DIP package)
D72: slot 16
SMPTE reader card. Generation is achieved through software
but D72 reader card must be present for SMPTE generation. There is
no regeneration of SMPTE during reading.
Hard Disk Controllers:
2 types
SCSI D24
Each D24 (up to two in a system - the DtoD can have three) can
support 8 devices on one SCSI chain. Devices 6 and 7 are not used.
Hard drives are addressed from Device 5 to Address 2. Optical drives
are also on this chain
1 = Optical Drive 1
2 = Optical Drive 2
3 = DtoD
4 = W1:
5 = W0:
6 = DtoD drives
IMI D107
Supports system Winchesters. 1 D107 can support only 1
device; either a 7700 series Winchester or a 500H controller which can
control 2 hard drives.
Current software can only support two hard disk drives.
SCSI, IMI or both. Two D107s or 2 D24s in a system must be addressed
as 0 or 1. If there is one D24 and one D107 in a system, they are
both DIP'd to address as 0.
Kennedy Tape Drive:
D30TD:
Can be used to back up either SCSI or IMI hard drives.
15 Mb of storage per tape. 25 MB is possible but not recommended.
Not supported by PowerPC hardware.
Sample to Disk:
D66M: Memory
D66C: controller
ADX: Includes D/A and A/D
FM interface D160
Also generates click track, Clock IN/OUT and Headphone OUT.
Two versions:
1) Old click (non Poly) audio circuitry on
D160, +/-25v clicks
2) New click (Poly systems) audio circuitry on PSAJB
(on PSCONII) +5v clicks only
D164:
-Mono filtering card for mono FM systems
-interprets jack panel on back of keyboard (gate, trigger, etc.)
-Uses +/- 15v supply from FM chain (last card in chain)
D32X:
Poly (bottom) and multichannel (top) interface
date code pre 3/85 will not work with D40Q
D40:
printer
RS232 port DIPíd for baud rate
can be modified to a D42 for a modem
can be modified to a D44 for a mouse (almost never seen)
D40Q:
Four RS232 ports for printer, terminal, modem and mouse.
Terminal baud rate can be DIP'd between 9600 and 19,200 & 38400.
38,400 is just too fast for most computers unless you are running well
over 100 MHz, otherwise errors may occur in NED StartUp. The new
Termulator program re-enables the discontinued X-on x-off that helps control
signal transmission - gives the computer time to catch up
D134:
Guitar interface
DTD slave computer bin:
The slave is a SCSI device as far as the Master is concerned
It is placed on the SCSI chain after the last SCSI Winchester (System)
and is connected at the D24 in slot 2
Slots 13 and 14 are the fast processor (FPRM & FPSM)
Slots 11 and 12 are M32Ks or slot 12 is the M64K for core
memory
Slot 9 is the D100A Super Floppy controller
Slot 10 is the MFC with DTD 0 through DTD 3 ROMís
An MFC is always used in the slave bin (no D40Q)
Slot 15 is the D32X Poly interface
Slot 8 is the D34567
with M32K core memory, a D16 timer is required to form the D3
clock. The same is true of the D100A
Slot 3 is another D24 for controlling track drives (hard
disk and tape) which has ID #3
1 M512K card is required for external memory
An MI70 is required along with panel mounted MU70 for driving
the meter bridge (do not hot patch the meter bridge)
The reset switch will clear memory and reload software but will
not restart the system
.LOD software is loaded into core memory through SCSI from either
the Synclavier or DTD master bin
DtoD poly bin
PSF slot #10
PSBM buffer memory is slots 3&4 (8 track, 1 MB card)
PSADC slot #12
PSBMC slot #5
DDDAC slot #16
PSAC slots #14 & 15
PSSRGA slot #8
PSPA slots #6&7
DDV slots #18&19 (8 track - 4 voices per card)
PSV (dummy) slot #17 (PSV w/o DAC or just termination resistor
pack, used to fake voice allocation for inputs)
PSOC slot #25
-Serial chain: PSF-PSADC-PSBMC-DDDAC-PSF
-1 PSV dummy is required for each STM
-The PSOC is chained to voice cards
-Samples are taken from STM to the PSDC, through the buffer memory
to the hard disks
-Outputs are hard wired, Track 1 to voice and output 1 L&R
-Buffer memory cards are next to PSBMC and are addressed and
read right to left (slot 4= card 0)
-Two 50 pin SCSI ports on each PSBM. 2 tracks per port.
Top port is lower number (slot 4, top port = tracks 1&2)
-The D24 in slot 3 communicates through SCSI to the PSBMC which
passes information through the back plane to the PSBM that control the
hard drives and tape drives through 50 pin SCSI connectors
-Since the tracks are recorded on SCSI devices, more than 1 hard
disk may be chained on the tracks to provide more recording time.
At present, the tracks are divided at SCSI devices so that hard drives
of the same size must be used (And they mean EXACTLY the same size.
Identical drives might be off by one or two sectors because of ROM differences.
Make sure they match or errors can occur)
Computer:
A mini computer comprised of 2 cards which is capable of transmitting
information at a speed of 2 MIPS makes up the basic processor
64K of memory is required to manipulate basic system files for
proper operation
Additional external memory is used for NED software packages (SFM,
RTP, etc.)
The other boards are all I/O boards. Comprising of timing
boards, multiply and divide boards and individual interfaces for other
sub assemblies
It is possible (and has been accomplished) to make a computer that fits
into a legal briefcase. A terminal is required to interface.
Using a Mac computer, programs can be written on the ABLE and saved on
a MAC disk later to be imported into the ABLE via the modem port.
This is no longer a concern now that the RTP and ABLE software run natively
on the Mac.
FM:
The bin is designed with 6 cards making up a bank of 8 stereo
voices. These cards can then be repeated up to 4 times for 32 stereo
voices.
SS1 - Memory; codes for timbre numerically
Common failure -5th harmonic is radically distorted
SS2 - Oscillators; audio frequency generator
Common failure - notes scrambled, portamento bobbling, pitch
variation
SS3 - Modifier; envelopes, volume
Common failure - failure to do frequency modulation
SS4 - Interface
Common failure - no sound or no voices being detected
SS7 - Voices cards; 8 voices per card. One card is left,
the other right
Common failure - distorted voice or no multi out
SF1 - Filters; composite outputs, filters, headphone jacks
Common failure - lacking one or all of the above
Multichannel:
D32X - Computer interface
MT3 - Multichannel interface
MT1 - Input card; routes individual voices thorough multiout
MT2 - Output card; takes individual inputs and routes through
8 outputs
There is one MT1 card for every voice card. Voices are randomly
chosen from the computer for play but are routed specifically to a multi
input.
The bin is designed for 8 outputs and is repeated for every additional
eight. There is an upper bound of 32 outputs (however, very early towers
might need a special upgrade to go past 16 outputs. Some very early
PSMT and PST towers had 32 outputs). |