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Frequently Asked Questions

This page includes three FAQ's: and one covering MIDI problems, one for DX Manager and one for SY Manager .

MIDI FAQ

The most common issues I get mail about concern MIDI related problems - how to get DXM or SYM to work with your particular setup. It's extremely frustrating to have found the software you want and you just can't get it to talk to your synth.

I've put together a couple of checklists to guide you through troubleshooting your MIDI setup for DX Manager and SY Manager. Much of this information is also available in the on-line help systems for my programs.


DX Manager FAQ

I'm having a problem downloading/installing DXM2.

Most downloading and installation problems with DXM2 occur because of a misunderstanding about how the ClickOnce installer works. ClickOnce does away completely with the need to unpack zip files and run setup programs. As the name suggests all you have to do to install and run DXM2 on your computer is click on the Download DXM Now button on the download page. This brings up the license agreement and after clicking on the I Agree button download, installation and first time run will normally be entirely automatic. If you do not have the .net framework version 2 or later installed this is detected and you will be asked whether it should be installed as part of your download. DXM2 requires the .net framework so it must be installed if not aleady present for DXM2 to run.

The ClickOnce installer puts the DXM2 program files in a pre-determined location in your user account on your harddrive. You cannot choose an alternative location and if you move the program files from this location, or use a download manager to put the files somewhere else, DXM2 will not work properly. The installer must be able to locate the program files in order to provide automatic updates.

Whilst the program files are installed to a fixed location, you can of course store your patches and other data used by DXM2 anywhere you like. Initally the PD patch library and various other data files are placed in a folder with the following path: Drive:/Documents and Settings/All Users/FM-Alive/DX Manager/Data.

If you do encounter problems during the download or installation process ClickOnce will ask whether you want to view the installation log file. This should help pinpoint why the install failed: the usual reasons are either a download manager interfered with the download process or the DXM2 program files have been manually moved from the installation folder. Either way the log will typically contain an error message with the following information:

--- Inner Exception ---
System.Net.WebException
- Could not find a part of the path 'Drive:\Some Folder\DXManager_2_0_0_0\DXManager.exe.manifest'.

To rectify the problem first delete the DXM2 files from the failed download location, disable the download manager if one is in use, and then simply re-download the application.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The current version of ClickOnce will only work properly in Internet Explorer. In particular if you try to download DXM2 using Firefox the following error message will appear:

"Cannot Start Application. Cannot download the application. The application is missing required files. Contact application vendor for assistance."

Microsoft are working on cross browser support for ClickOnce - if you're interested read more here.
A patch for Firefox that will enable it to run ClickOnce properly is available here.

How do I buy DXM2?

Download DXM2 from here. When the installation is finished DXM will run automatically. You can then purchase either by clicking on Register Now in the Help menu, or simply close/reload DXM2 to see a purchase option dialog - in either case click on Buy Now in the dialog.

You will be transferred to Paypal where you can complete the purchase using either your Paypal account or a credit card. On completion of the purchase DXM2 will be automatically registered and activated.

Does DX Manager support 4-operator synths like the dx9,dx21, fb01,tx81z etc ?

Sorry, no. The MIDI spec. for these synths is substantially different to the 6-operator synths like the DX7. I hope to add support for these synths in a future edition of DXM.

Where can I get the original factory patches for my DX7?

The MKI DX7 came with two ROM cartridges which contain 4 banks of 32 patches: Master,Keyboard & Plucked group, Orchestral and Percussive Group and Synth Complex and Effects Group, of which the first contains the patches originally in the DX7's internal memory. You can download a zip file that contains these four banks as .dat files - use DXM to upload them to your synth.

The MKII DX7 has two internal banks of 32 patches. Download a zip file that contains these two banks in .dat format - use DXM to upload them to your synth.

Does DXM support the MKIIFD's disk drive format?

Yes - DXM2 supports this format.

Where can I get the DX7 Operating Manuals?

You can download the DX7 manuals in .pdf format from Yamaha. - just enter DX7 in the search dialog.

Where can I get the DX7's MIDI specification ?

You can download the DX7II MIDI specification here.

Does DX Manager support my DX7/DX7II with a E! card installed ?

Sorry DXM does not support the extra features of E! , but it is compatible - you can upload/download and edit patches in the usual way. I plan to add support for the E! Card in DXM3.

Will DX Manager work with: PLG150DX plug-in, DX200, FS1R, Native Instruments FM7 ?

Yes, but they are not supported. Regarding the PLG 150DX plug-in, I understand that the DX simulator supplied with the board uses a proprietary sysex format that is not compatible with the traditional DX formats. However I have had reports that DX Manager can be used to upload traditional format patches to the PLG 150DX.


DXM 1.0/1.1 Installation Issues

Please note that the following section only applies to DXM version 1.0 and 1.1. The current release, DXM version 2, is installed directly from my website.

I can't complete setup because I keep on getting messages about my system files being out of date - what's wrong ?
I get an error message when DX Manager starts-up.

Message : Setup cannot continue because some system files are out of date on your system....

This error message sometimes occurs during installation. It occurs because DX Manager requires later versions of some system files than are installed on your system and a dialog box appears asking whether you wish these files to be updated. If you choose yes the updated files will be installed, your system reboots and installation can then complete.

Occasionally, rebooting does not complete the installation of the newer system files and you may get multiple "System files are out of date" messages. This MSKB article explains the circumstances under which this condition can occur and the steps to take to resolve the problem. Typically the problem arises when you try to install DX Manager on a different drive to your system drive.

If you know which files are causing the problem you can update them manually although from Win2000 on this cannot be done from within Windows as the operating system files are protected. One alternative in these circumstances is to boot up your system to DOS and use the Copy command to transfer the updated files to your system directory (thanks to Detlef Kruse for this tip).

Here's some suggestions for the brave : try them entirely at your own risk. If you don't feel comfortable working in DOS then don't experiment as you could easily end up trashing your hard disk

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is most likely that Oleaut32.dll is the file that is causing the problem. However there are several system files that must be installed before DX Manager setup can run. Here's the complete list which is contained in the file Setup.lst in the DX Manager zip file.

As well as the name I've listed each file's creation date/time, size in bytes, and version. It is this information which is used during Setup to determine if your existing system files are out of date:

VB6STKIT.DLL,7/15/00 12:00:00 AM,101888,6.0.84.50
COMCAT.DLL,7/22/02 7:05:04 PM,3856,5.0.2195.1
STDOLE2.TLB,7/22/02 7:05:04 PM,16896,2.40.4518.0
ASYCFILT.DLL,7/22/02 7:05:04 PM,143632,2.40.4518.0
OLEPRO32.DLL,,7/22/02 7:05:04 PM,164112,5.0.4518.0
OLEAUT32.DLL,7/22/02 7:05:04 PM,626960,2.40.4518.0
MSVBVM60.DLL,3/12/02 3:26:44 PM,1388544,6.0.92.37

  • Compare the properties of your existing system files carefully with the above before continuing and substitute one or more of the above for oleaut32.dll in the following steps if they are newer than your current versions.

  • Make a boot disc or a copy of the one you created when you installed Windows - you did make one didn't you? If not you'll find instructions on how to create one in your Windows Help system or get one here.

  • Unzip the DX Manager zip file to an empty directory. Click on the .cab files (DXMan1.cab etc.) to locate the file(s) you want to put in your system directory.

  • Right click on your selection and choose the Copy command on the menu that appears. Copy OLEAUT32.DLL (or whichever files need to be replaced) to the boot disc.

  • When you've copied the file(s) you need to update, leave the boot disc in your machine and reboot. Your machine will boot to DOS.

  • At the A: prompt type Copy c:\windows\system\oleaut32.dll a:oleaut32.bak  - this makes a backup copy of your system file. If your Windows directory is on a different drive then substitute the appropriate drive letter

  • Now type Copy oleaut32.dll c:\windows\system\oleaut32.dll - This puts the updated file in your system directory ( again, substituting for c: if your Windows directory is on another drive).

  • Repeat steps vi and vii for any other files you need to replace.

  • Remove the boot disc and restart your machine.

  • Run the DX Manager setup program.

Message : Runtime Error '430'. Class does not support automation or does not support expected interface.
Message: Runtime Error '429'. ActiveX Control cannot create object.

These error messages sometimes occur under Win95/Win98 after a successful installation of DX Manager 1.0, immediately the program is run. The error indicates that the version of Microsoft Data Access Components installed on your machine is not compatible with DX Manager. The problem can be resolved by downloading and installing a compatible version of MDAC (2.7 or later).


SY Manager FAQ

My SY's Disk Drive is Broken - How do I get my data off floppy disks ?

(Yamaha's advice on non-functioning floppy drives is here - search for SY77)

Well first, here's the good news. Its 99% certain your disk drive is NOT broken - more likely its' drive belt has worn or broken. You can easily replace this by unscrewing the bottom plate on your SY - lots of screws but it's not difficult. There are three screws holding the drive in place - remove these and the ribbon cable connector from its' socket on the main chassis. Now you can lift the drive out of the machine - turn it over and remove the four small screws holding the drive guard plate in place. Then remove the single screw holding the plastic drive belt guide in place -voila ! You can now replace the drive belt by threading it round the motor spindle.

Replacement belts are available from audio stores - the belt dimensions are 9.6" X .025" x .124" but I have found a rubber band will do the trick just as well - thanks to Nick Martello for the tip. In the UK you can get the belt from Chris at Cadishead Motorcycles- Chris' site is well worth a visit just to see the photies of the pipe organ he's building !

The bad news is that if it's not the belt and your drive has been drinking it's way to terminal alcoholism then there is no straightforward way to transfer SY format files (*.t01 etc) to SY Manager. The reason for this is that, just like the drive itself, the file formats are Yamaha proprietary which they have declined to put in the public domain. Nontheless I will include the ability to read .t01 files in the next version of SY Manager.

If you are handy with a soldering iron then it is possible to replace the SY's drive with a standard PC drive, but you will need to make a custom connecting cable. You can download a zip file with the pinout details , and thanks to Mike Foo for the information. If you want a direct replacement try Route66Studios.

I get a message " SY Manager encountered an error whilst checking xxxx.dat - the file may be corrupted " when I try to load patches I got from my SY - what's wrong ?

When you select a file to open as a voice data file in SY Manager, it checks to see that the file really contains valid voice data. If it doesn't or there is anything else in the file you get the above error.

Most commonly the error occurs when downloading patches to the PatchView window in SY Manager using the Get All button. This does as it says - it downloads everything your SY has to offer which includes multis, samples (SY99) and waveforms (SY99) in addition to voice data. So when you save the download and then attempt to re-open the file you get the above error.

To avoid getting the corrupt file error message whilst downloading in PatchView:

  • Select the voice patches you want to download - click on the first voice, press and hold the shift key and then clickon the last voice.

  • Press the Get button

  • Confirm the download buffer only contains voice patches

  • Press Save Buffer and choose a file name for the patches

  • Open the file for editing etc.

How can I transfer my SY floppy disk files to SY Manager ?

This is not possible at present due to incompatible file formats - see above

How can I convert multiple DX files to SY format using X2Y ?

If all your DX7 files are of the same type (for example .SYX files which are usually 4104 bytes long and contain 32 packed patches with an 8 bytes sysex wrapper) then you can put some or all of them into a single file and then convert them using SY Manager.

To make a single file out of several files do the following:

  • Make backup copies of the source files - DO IT or REGRET IT !!

  • Copy the files you want to join together (it's called concatenating) to a separate directory. NB Make sure you have made backups first !!

  • In the directory you have copied your source files to, from the DOS prompt, type the following :

copy *.syx /B newdx7.dat /B

This should put all of the syx files into a single file called newdx7.dat. Obviously, if you are converting some other file format (.DX7,.32 etc) then substitute the appropriate extension in the above command line.

  • Run X2Y in SY Manager to convert newdx7.dat to SY format.

For more info on using the DOS copy command just type copy /? at the DOS prompt for help.

Will SY Manager work with the SY85, SY55/TG55 or SY22 ?

I have only tested SY Manager on the SY77 and SY99 but, as far as I know, it will work on the SY85,TG77 and SY55/TG55 which have basically the same MIDI spec. However the SY22 is a cut down version of the SY77 and is not compatible with SY Manager.

TG77 Midi Issues

Although SY Manager is compatible with the rackmount version of the SY77, the TG77, it seems their hardware MIDI implementations differ. A number of users have reported problems downloading patch banks in PatchView from the TG - SY Manager times' out after receiving the first couple of patches. This problem will be resolved in the next release of SY Manager.

SY Manager 2.2.2 uses a simple polling technique to scan for incoming MIDI messages. Although normally very reliable, it is possible to overrun its' internal buffers at high transfer rates and it seems this is what happens with the TG77.

At present the only solution I know of is to download patches individually. This is not as bad as it sounds however as you can select all 64 internal patches in PatchView and then drag the selection to the patch buffer.

Will SY Manager run under Win95 ?

SY Manager runs under any Windows operating system from Win95 Service Release 2 onwards.

Is SY Manager Mac compatible ?

Sorry, No !

How do I load custom samples using SY Manager ?

You can upload samples to your SY using the MIDI/Send File... menu option. The sample must be in Sample Dump Standard (SDS) format which is the only format recognised by the SY. There are a vast number of sample format converters available, but if, for example, you just want to convert a WAV file to SDS format then I'd recommend Wave-to by Richard Goodwin.

My floppy disk won't work in the SY's disk drive - what's wrong ?

Assuming your drive is working - the red indicator lights up and there is the usual grinding noise as the drive tries to read your disk before you get the message "Bad Disk" - the most likely reason for this error is that you are using a 1.44MB HD floppy disk. The SY will only read DS-DD floppies formatted to 720K. It shouldn't matter whether the floppy is formatted on your PC or the SY but if you are still getting the "Bad Disk" or "Illegal File" message then try formatting the disk on your SY first (Utilities/Disk/Format). Note that Windows XP doesn't offer a 720K format option, so you have to do the format in DOS

If this doesn't work then your drive belt may be worn - see above

Where can I get user manuals for the SY series ?

For the SY77 here

For the SY99 here

Can I use *.t01 files with SY Manager ?

No, the floppy drive in the SY series uses a proprietary format that is different from the MIDI sysex file format used by SY Manager. Unfortunately there is now no-one at Yamaha who can provide this information. However I intend to include this option in the next version of SY Manager.

© 2002-2007 by FM-Alive