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Understanding sysex - Peavey 1600X


angstwulf

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Just picked up a Peavey PC 1600x. I want to get a better understanding of how MIDI/Sysex commands work. I've heard that "The Next MIDI Book" is a good start (the Peavey website gave that info) and it's available on the used market but I wanted to know if any of you have opinions on its worth. Any other good learning resources.

 

Also, to those 1600X owners out there, how do y9ou approach this box as far as programming it? Any insight is appreciated.

 

Laters,

Tommy

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Thanks both of you.

 

XK-S - yeah, the Peavey website recommends the swap and has a link to the supplier. That's what I love about Peavey: I've called them up about twenty/thirty year old amps and have gotten decent tech support. Unlike some other manufacturers who give a bland "we no longer support that item" they will tell you what kind of duct-tape is best for holding the damned thing together for another year.

 

Idiotboy: I have the owner's manual and I agree that it's useful. My question is coming from someone who doesn't understand what sysex means (beyond the simple definition of the word) and couldn't tell hexidecimal from a hole in the ground. Is understanding what all that means necessary for getting the most out of the 1600X and if so, where's a good place for a po' boy to start?

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If all you want to do is program the sliders and buttons to do stuff you probably wont need to deal with Sysex data. I use mine as a drawbar controller for a Hammond XM-2 (lower manual and pedals) and to send program changes to MIDI mapper software to reroute all the gozinta's and gozouta's. I've had it for many years and its controlled a lot of stuff. I programmed it all directly with its controls. I never had to have it do real complicated stuff though.

 

Good Luck.

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Angst, I can't comment on the book you referenced, as I've never read it.

 

Without knowing how you plan to use it, it's hard for me to say whether you'll need to further understand sysex to get the most from your PC1600x. If you want to get more specific about your plans, I'll try to answer further.

 

If you just want to increase your MIDI/sysex knowledge anyway, I can recommend two books on the subject:

 

The MIDI Manual

 

The MIDI Companion

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oh my god I am glad the 90s are over! I cannot believe anyone would want to deal with that sysex {censored} today-

 

now you just click on the parameter and hit 'learn midi' then tweak the controller you want- or the thing already has everything mapped intelligently for you- I could never go back!

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Unfortunately, there's a ton of great hardware synths from the 80s and 90s that require you to use that Sysex {censored}.
:(

 

get the vst emu or just move on- it isn't worth it- programming sysex is worse than trying to add cheat codes to your gameshark

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Angst, I can't comment on the book you referenced, as I've never read it.


Without knowing how you plan to use it, it's hard for me to say whether you'll need to further understand sysex to get the most from your PC1600x. If you want to get more specific about your plans, I'll try to answer further.


If you just want to increase your MIDI/sysex knowledge anyway, I can recommend two books on the subject:




 

 

Two reasons why I'm curious:

 

1. To get the most out of the 1600X

 

2. So I don't join the ranks of those who ask questions like: I gots a MIDI cable but no sound is coming through, is it broken???

 

Thanks, I going to take a look at those two books as well.

 

Laters,

Tommy

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Also, check to see if yours still has the backup battery. It can leak. There is a replacement memory chip that doesn't require a battery. Be carefull if the battery has leaked. There is info on how to buy the chip toward the bottom of this page:


 

 

Just pulled out my PC-1600 and fired it up...only to see that is was malfunctioning...opened it up, and of course, a leaking battery...

 

Is the battery soldered into the socket,or is the socket soldered into the PCB ? Don

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The battery is spot welded to 2 metal pieces that are then soldered into the board. You need to just unsolder it from the board. You can change the battery (the link above has a source for the battery and the replacement procedure) but replaceing the chip with one that doesn't require a battery may be the better option. The link above also has the source and procedure for the replacement chip. If you find a suitable battery locally you will probably need to find a holder for it that you can then run leads from to the board. I don't know, but the time it takes to heat the battery enough for solder to stick may damage the battery.

 

I replaced mine with the new style chip recently and it has been working great. It was still working but had started to leak a little. Be careful cleaning up the leakage.

 

Good Luck.

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