This page includes four FAQs:
When you download an application (DX or SY Manager) from FM-Alive the download and installation process is managed by ClickOnce - Microsoft's new generation technology for automatic application installation and update. ClickOnce installs the application to a pre-determined location so that it can be automatically updated.Download managers may interfere with this process and should be disabled whilst your download is in progress. For more information on ClickOnce please click here.
Most downloading and installation problems 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 an application on your computer is click a button on the download page (eg Try DXM ). This brings up a license agreement and, after clicking on the I Agree button, download, installation and first time run once the application is installed will normally be entirely automatic. If you do not have the required version of the .net framework installed this is detected and you will be asked whether it should be installed as part of your download. The ClickOnce installer puts program files in a pre-determined location in your user account on your fixed 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, the application 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 anywhere you like. Initally the PD patch library and various other data files are placed in a folder with the following path (Win2000/XP): Drive:/Documents and Settings/All Users/FM-Alive/DX Manager/Data. For WinVista the path is Drive:/Program Data/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 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 application files from the failed download location, disable the download manager if one is in use. Then simply re-download the application.
The most common setup issues concern MIDI related problems - how to get DXM or SYM to work with your particular setup. It can be extremely frustrating when you just can't get your PC to talk to your synth. Two troubleshooters are available to help you solve MIDI setup problems when using DX Manager or SY Manager. The troubleshooters solve over 90% of MIDI related problems that occur when using DXM3 or SYM3. If you have a MIDI setup problem please complete the troubleshooter before contacting FM-Alive support
Click on a link below for topic information: What synths does DXM3 support How do I buy DXM3? Does DXM3 support 4-operator synths like the dx9,dx21, fb01,tx81z etc ? Where can I get the original factory patches for my DX7? Does DXM3 support the MKIIFD's disk drive format? Where can I get the DX7 Operating Manuals? Where can I get the DX7's MIDI specification ? Does DXM3 support my DX7/DX7II with a E! card installed ? Does DXM3 support the PLG150DX plug-in, DX200, FS1R or Native Instruments FM7 softsynth ? Is DXM3 available as a zip file for offline installation?
DXM is compatible with the original DX7, known as the MKI, the MKII DX7, the TX7, TX816 and TX802 tone generators, and any other 6 operator DX/TX series synth. DXM also works with "modern" keyboard synths like the DX200 or software synths like the FM7 that emulate the classic DX7.
DXM is also compatible with some software synths such as the FM7 although these are not supported. See below for 4-Operator FM synth compatability.
Download DXM3 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 DXM3 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 DXM3 will be automatically registered and activated.
DXM3 supports most but not all 4-Op FM synths. It does not support the DX9 or FB01 - all other 4-Op FM synths are supported. These include "first generation" models such as the DX21, DX27 and DX100 and "second generation" models such as the TX81Z and DX100.
Second generation 4-Op models have additional features such as performances, effects, microtuning etc. These are all supported in DXM3 as tool editors. In addition the enhanced voice patch parameters of these models is also supported.
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 .dxm format - use DXM to upload them to your synth.
Yes - DXM3 supports this format. Just Open the file in the usual way from the FIle Menu>Open.
You can download the DX7 manuals in .pdf format from Yamaha. - just enter DX7 in the search dialog.
You can download the DX7II MIDI specification here.
Sorry DXM3 does not support the extra features of E! , but it is compatible - you can upload/download and edit patches in the usual way.
Support for the E! Card was planned for DXM3 but I have been unable to locate the full MIDI spec. for either the MKI or MKII DX7 cards. If you have the spec. (which must include details of the GMR bulk sysex formats not this) or know where this can be located, contact me with this info. and I will provide a free DXM license ( or refund) in return. As of Jan. 2010 I have completed adding MK1 E! support to DXM3 but still need the full MIDI spec. to test it out.
Yes, but they are not supported. Regarding the PLG 150DX plug-in,the DX simulator supplied with the board uses a proprietary sysex format that is not compatible with the traditional DX formats. However DX Manager can be used to upload traditional format patches to the PLG 150DX.
DXM3 is only available for download. Installation is completely automatic using "ClickOnce" which puts the program files in a predetermined location on your computer. This is so the program files can be updated automatically.
How do I buy SYM3? "SYM3 won't recognise my MIDI setup - whats wrong?" Broken disk drive "SYM3 encountered an error whilst checking xxxx.dat - the file may be corrupted " How to transfer data from SY floppy disk files to SYM3 How to convert multiple DX files to SY format using X2Y Compatability with other SY series synths Win98 compatibility SYM3 not Mac compatible How to load custom samples Floppy disk won't work in SY's disk drive User manuals for the SY series Are *.t01 files compatible with SYM3 ? Can I get SYM3 as a zip file for offline installation?
Download SYM3 from here. When the installation is finished SYM will run automatically. You can then purchase either by clicking on Register Now in the Help menu, or simply close/reload SYM3 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 SYM3 will be automatically registered and activated.
(Yamaha's advice on non-functioning floppy drives is here - search for SY77)
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.
If it's not the belt and your drive has been drinking it's way to terminal alcoholism then you can transfer SY format files (*.t01 etc) to SYM3. Just open the file in the normal way from SYM3's File>Open menu.
SYM3 can extract voice, multi, pan, microtuning and system setup patches and these are saved in separate files. Note however that SYM3 does not support extraction of any sequencer or sample data from floppy format files.
The reason for this is that, just like the drive itself, the file formats are Yamaha proprietary. The sequencer files are in the now obsolete KSEQ format. If you have any information on this or the related ESEQ format, it would greatly help future development: please contact FM-Alive support.
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 - thanks to Mike Foo for this information. If you want a direct replacement try here.
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:
Just open a floppy file in SYM3 in the usual way( File>Open) - but see above
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:
copy *.syx /B newdx7.dat /B
This will put all of the syx files into a single file called newdx7.dat. If you are converting a file with a different extension (.DX7,.32 etc) then substitute the appropriate extension in the above command line.
Open the file 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.
No. These synths have different features from the SY77/SY99 and their MIDI specifications vary accordingly. SYM3 does however support the rackmount version of the SY77, the TG77.
No. SY Manager runs under any Windows operating system from Win2000 onwards.
Sorry, SYM3 is not MAC compatible.
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 on the net which, for example, will convert .wav to .sds.
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/Vista don'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
For the SY77 here
For the SY99 here
Yes, but with limitations. See this topic
SYM3 is only available for download. Installation is completely automatic using "ClickOnce" which puts the program files in a predetermined location on your computer. This is so the program files can be updated automatically.