Re: [AH] Anyone have Oberheim Matrix-12 ROM files?

From Tristan
Sent Wed, Nov 7th 2018, 23:46

Unfortunately that is one of those "How long is a piece of string?" questions. You could spend days crafting 
12 individual component patches to fit together as a complex jigsaw or you could build a layered multi in 
minutes by flipping through the single patches and then tweaking a few to fit together. Conceptually it is 
the same as working on any synth which allows you to build multi or performance patches from a number 
of single patches. I have found the Xpander great for building sounds on the go in a production 
environment. 

/Tristan

On Thu, Nov 8th, 2018 at 9:39 AM, Alex Timchak <xxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:

> Not that I’ll be able to afford a matrix 12 anytime soon - but how time
> consuming is it to make one of those complex patches?  I’ve read the
> learning curve is steep...
> 
> On Wed, Nov 7, 2018 at 4:18 PM Tristan <xx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
> 
> > What really sets the Xpander/Matrix-12 apart is that you are effectively
> > getting 6/12 mono synths which
> > you can combine together in all sorts of different polyphonic grouping and
> > layers to build complex sounds.
> > It is so much more than what can be be done in a single patch.
> >
> > /Tristan
> >
> > On Thu, Nov 8th, 2018 at 5:16 AM, M V <xx_xxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> >
> > > Thanks for posting the Xpansions link. I have seen a few of those tips
> > posted
> > > elsewhere--is there somewhere where one could find all the issues?
> > >
> > > Reading through the programming section, it confirms what I have long
> > > suspected, which is that a lot of the draw of the excessive modulation
> > is for
> > > player/performer tricks. And I see a lot of parallels with how the Moog
> > One
> > > is being presented. That's not to say that the One isn't vastly superior
> > in
> > > terms of modulation speed and routing abilities, but the general "look
> at
> > > this cool way to fade between two stereo clavinet patches" idea seems to
> > be
> > > the same.
> > >
> > > Reading through the Xpansions patch list reviews sort of follows
> > > that--there's a lot of emphasis on "real" sounds, and little on
> > wild/creative
> > > synthesis. I guess it was the norm of the time (early '90s), but I am
> > always
> > > perplexed by the draw toward "realistic" sounds on what should be
> > synthesis
> > > monsters. The Xpander/M-12 presets have to be some of the worst ever,
> > but I
> > > can't say I've ever come across any patch sets that are vastly
> > superior/more
> > > interesting.
> > > ________________________________
> > > From: codemechanic <xxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>
> > > Sent: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 7:35 PM
> > > To: Brian Willoughby
> > > Cc: AH send
> > > Subject: Re: [AH] Anyone have Oberheim Matrix-12 ROM files?
> > >
> > > Hi Brian,
> > >
> > > I own an Xpander which I believe has v1.2 Main board ROMs and v1.4
> > > Voice board ROMs, but unfortunately I can't confirm that as I'm out of
> > > the country at the moment.
> > >
> > > In searching around it seems like there's more information out there
> > > on the Xpander than there is on the Matrix 12. I couldn't track down
> > > Matrix 12 main board ROMs anywhere. The only way I can come close to
> > > confirming the latest revision numbers for the Matrix 12 ROMs was via
> > > a page on sequencer.de:
> > > https://www.sequencer.de/blog/oberheim-xpander-oberheim-matrix-12/2547
> > >
> > > "Softwareversionen/most recent software version:
> > > Processor: 1.2 (Matrix12: 1.1)
> > > Voice version: 1.4 (Matrix12: 1.6)"
> > >
> > > From the information found there it sounds like the latest revs are
> > > 1.2/1.4 for the Xpander, and 1.1/1.6 for the Matrix 12. Further
> > > information on the Xpander revisions comes via the software update
> > > operational instructions released 4/5/85
> > > (http://www.synthzone.com/midi/oberheim/obxp/xpandros.zip):
> > >
> > > "If the main processor version reads 1.2, the Xpander already contains
> > > the most recent main processor version. The voice processor version
> > > will be displayed as 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, or 1.4. Again, if the version
> > > displayed is below 1.4, the software should be updated."
> > >
> > > I was also able to find documentation regarding the Midi
> > > specification, software updates etc. for the Xpander that I can send
> > > your way if you're interested. There sure is some interesting
> > > information found in the Xpansions newsletter archives:
> > > http://www.synthzone.com/midi/oberheim/obxp/xpansion.zip
> > >
> > > -Ben
> > > On Wed, Nov 7, 2018 at 4:13 AM Brian Willoughby <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
> > >
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Here are some more details:
> > > >
> > > > The Matrix-12 Processor Board has five 8KB ROMs
> > > > The Xpander Processor Board has four 8KB ROMs
> > > > Voice Boards have two 8KB ROMs, and appear to be universal for Xpander
> > &
> > > Matrix-12 (not confirmed).
> > > >
> > > > I have an incomplete set of Matrix-12 Processor Board v1.2 ROMs, (0,
> > 1, 4),
> > > and I need the two missing ROMs (2, 3).
> > > > I am still looking for a complete set of M12 PB v1.1 ROMs, but I might
> > just
> > > buy a ROM reader and pull the chips from my Matrix-12.
> > > >
> > > > My Matrix-12 has v1.6 on the Voice Boards.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Meanwhile, I recall a resource that listed the latest ROM versions for
> > both
> > > Xpander and Matrix-12, for both Main and Voice firmware. Can anyone
> > point me
> > > to that? I have a friend who is interested in upgrading his Xpander to
> > the
> > > latest, if we can find out what the latest is. I’ll probably update my
> > > Matrix-12, too, since Main PB v1.1 seems to be old.
> > > >
> > > > I have a complete set of Xpander Processor Board v1.2 ROMs
> > > > I have a complete set of Voice Board v1.4 ROMs
> > > > I have a complete set of Voice Board v1.6 ROMs
> > > >
> > > > Brian Willoughby
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On Nov 4, 2018, at 5:56 PM, Brian Willoughby <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
> > > wrote:
> > > > > I have several copies of the Xpander ROM files, and at least one of
> > them
> > > is valid.
> > > > >
> > > > > I’m looking for Matrix-12 ROM files. At the very least, I would
> like
> > the
> > > Processor Board ROM data. It would be nice to have the Voice Board ROM
> > data
> > > as well.
> > > > >
> > > > > I’m working on a patch librarian for macOS, and need the ROM data
> to
> > scan
> > > for undocumented MIDI System Exclusive details.
> > > >
> > > > Brian Willoughby
> > > > Sound Consulting
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > benjamin allen
> > > xxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx
> > > 415.624.9111
> > > http://www.codemechanic.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>