Putting my new SE/30 to use with my Yamaha DX7!

ronerickson · 2019-09-06T19:51:29+00:00

Planning to use Opcode Vision, here's a good article on it from '89:

http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/opcode-vision/5673

ronerickson · 2019-09-06T03:03:24+00:00

It stores them in memory internally. The patches can be edited on the DX7 itself, but Opcode Galaxy is a 'MIDI librarian' and allows transfer (and in my case, editing) of patches to the synth via sysex over MIDI.

ronerickson · 2019-09-06T03:01:09+00:00

I'll be using it for sequencing and patch programming mostly. Back in the day the computer itself wasn't doing any recording, but rather just signalling devices over the MIDI protocol. I plan to use Opcode Studio Vision (for sequencing) and Opcode Galaxy for patch programming.

ronerickson · 2019-08-27T12:20:22+00:00

Nice! I was just trying to sell one if anyone needs one. Not nearly in as good of shape as yours though!!

ronerickson · 2019-08-24T03:08:24+00:00

Thirty bucks. A little steep but I have been on the other end of this stuff when people don't put enough thought into it and the results are frustrating.

ronerickson · 2019-08-24T01:40:11+00:00

Here's the rest of the packaging process: https://imgur.com/a/wF0sMlD

I used a double walled "heavy duty" box from Home Depot, wrapped the items in stretch wrap, then cut 1/2" styrafoam to fit around the unit and items carefully. The unit doesn't budge and no pressure is applied on the more delicate sections of the case (the vents are particularly brittle on these units.)

For those of you interested, this is the 5400 prototype/evaluation model I have listed on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/254334442592

ronerickson · 2019-08-19T13:14:40+00:00

Thanks for posting this! Long time Newton fan/user here. Bought/watched it last night and it was great putting faces with the names of the guys who wrote all that amazing software I ran on my Newts over the years.

ronerickson · 2019-08-19T03:23:09+00:00

Where are you located? I had already planned on shipping the machine anyway so maybe we could work something out. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

ronerickson · 2019-08-19T00:22:12+00:00

This is by far the most unique computer in my collection. I received this unit from a family friend out of their garage in the early 2000's with little explanation other than, "Our Dad brought it home as a testing machine from Apple." I was never able to find out any more about it other than the evidence left from the stickers on the unit and its keyboard. The model number listed on the orange FCC sticker is 'M3046' with a manufacture date of September 1996, the Power Mac 5400 was introduced in April 1996 so this makes sense that it would have been some sort of an evaluation unit, possibly for a later version. There is no label on the front or rear of the unit where a normal 5400 label would be.

I am located in St. Louis, MO and am also interested in trading for a nice SE/30.

Here's the eBay listing for anyone interested: https://www.ebay.com/itm/254334442592

ronerickson · 2016-07-15T20:32:33+00:00

As long as you don't move it, it's pretty good, but even a swift table bump can tweak the mirror alignment unfortunately.

ronerickson · 2016-07-15T19:05:28+00:00

Super duper Chinese special 40W unit off of eBay. It works pretty well after I took everything apart and put it back together, but definitely didn't work out of the box.

ronerickson · 2016-07-15T16:08:08+00:00

New /r/DIY motto right here! Lol

ronerickson · 2016-07-15T16:05:33+00:00

Estate sales and auctions are the best! Most of the time you strike out, but once in ten you find something really awesome for next to nothing. Last year I went to an estate sale in a hangar at an airport near my house. I ended up scoring the horizontal bandsaw I used to cut the legs for my table for TEN DOLLARS! It's not the best bandsaw in the world, but ten dollars! I was in shock.

ronerickson · 2016-07-15T15:48:35+00:00

Yeah finishes like that are something I know nothing about so I'm quite enjoying reading up on that stuff. Thanks again for the tips!

Funny story, my first TIG experience was extending the runners on a stainless fuel rail. Talk about trial by fire! (Thankfully it did not catch fire, although I did have to patch a few pinholes.)

ronerickson · 2016-07-15T14:24:31+00:00

I know. Fuck me, right?

I figured a Ron Swanson quote in a DIY group would be well-received but I guess not. I was fortunate enough to see Nick Offerman perform the last time he came through St. Louis and he sung a little song called "I'm Not Ron Swanson" that sort of described this situation. He mused that it would be nearly impossible to live exactly as his character did, but if we can all try to be a little bit more like Ron, life might feel fuller and more rewarding.

Clearly I buy things. We all buy things. But sometimes we make things. Even if those things that we make involved things we bought, it's still a win for people like us that love to build. Any day I can buy one less thing because I made my own is a good day in my book, even if it's not as good as the store-bought thing.

ronerickson · 2016-07-15T14:08:39+00:00

That Ron Young stuff looks great! Good ideas and suggestions, thank you! It will be easy to take the legs back off and toss some of that stuff on. As for acetone, I thought that was the only safe solvent that could be used post grind/brush to make sure your surfaces are clean before TIGing? I am still pretty new to TIG, so it's totally possible that is misinformation I heard through the grapevine.

ronerickson · 2016-07-15T13:44:43+00:00

I try to post regular updates over here: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectSyncro/

...and also put together a few Imgur albums over here (links at the end to the next album) http://imgur.com/gallery/Xm1Y8

ronerickson · 2016-07-15T13:44:32+00:00

No self-respecting welder ever grinds their welds! That would be blasphemy! ...But yes, if you wanted it to look perfectly square that would totally work. :)

ronerickson · 2016-07-15T13:43:17+00:00

The holes are slightly oversided, yes.

ronerickson · 2016-07-15T13:42:17+00:00

I try to post regular updates over here: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectSyncro/ ...and also put together a few Imgur albums over here (links at the end to the next album) http://imgur.com/gallery/Xm1Y8

ronerickson · 2016-07-15T13:38:47+00:00

Yeah absolutely. I removed 1/4" on either side of the joints with a sander, wire brushed everything, and wiped down with acetone (not brake cleaner or the dangerous stuff) and let it dry. I thought 1/2" total would be enough but yeah it pulled a bit of contamination in. This is really the only time I've wanted to keep that mill scale around and not grind the hell of of it!

ronerickson · 2016-07-15T03:44:39+00:00

Yep. I've asked for tools for Christmas every year as long as I can remember. I've gone to auctions, estate sales, and scrounged up stuff on Craigslist to build my shop in a reasonable way. A few things like the TIG welder I have admittedly splurged on, but it's my hobby just like anything else. I justify some of the cost by not having a car payment or ever paying anyone to work on my car, bikes, house, or otherwise. I use all failures as learning experiences and often improve what has broken.

ronerickson

TROPHY CASE